California Cardrooms Come Out Against Anti-Sweeps Bill AB 831

California's AB 831, a bill that would ban sweepstakes casinos, has drawn criticism, and the latest group to come out against it is cities in California that are home to major cardrooms. 

The cities of Gardena, Inglewood, and Colma have filed formal oppositions, along with the California Cities Gaming Authority. 

The CCGA als represents San Jose and Bell. 

This comes as AB 831 is headed for a full Senate vote after passing the Senate Appropriations Committee last week. 

Cardrooms Concerned

While AB 831 doesn't specifically target cardrooms, the operators want assurances that they won't be unintentionally harmed. 

What's intriguing about cardrooms coming out against the bill is that, along with them, three California tribes—Big Lagoon Rancheria, the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians, and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation—have also come out against it. 

Typically, cardrooms and tribes are at odds, as the tribes tend to believe that cardrooms go against the tribes' exclusivity in this space. 

Tribes are also suing cardrooms under Senate Bill 549, so the cardrooms are concerned that AB 831 could add new issues. 

Some of the top cardrooms, including Parkwest Bicycle Casino, Hustler Casino, Hollywood Park Casino, Lucky Chances Casino, and more, are also involved. 

As mentioned, these cardrooms are requesting that a section be included in the bill to provide those assurances. 

Recent Frustrations

At the initial Senate hearing, which was held before the Governmental Organization Committee, a cardroom representative expressed frustration over the lack of a carveout in the bill. There was also another tense moment as the rep's microphone wasn't turned on. 

“We have had conversations with the assemblymember,” the cardroom rep said, mentioning Assemblyman Avelino Valencia, the person behind AB831. “We need to have cardrooms exempted and I was under the understanding he was going to make a commitment to that this morning, so at this point we’re confused.”

Valencia responded, saying, “[I’m] committed to continue stakeholder conversations, including with the cardrooms to ensure that those issues are mitigated.”

July Amendment 

On July 16, Valencia filed an amendment to AB 831. 

Despite that, the cardroom's recent opposition suggests it wasn't good enough. 

The amendment made three changes, including removing language that would penalize promoters or others involved with sweepstakes casinos and limited any liability toward payment processors, those providing content, and more. The amendment also used the word "knowingly" to clarify its intent. 

From here, AB 831 is headed to the Senate for a full vote. It needs 21 of 40 votes to pass. 

Should it pass, it'll head back to the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee and Assembly, as the bill has undergone significant changes since it was first filed. 

After those three phases, it heads to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk for a signature. 

We'll see if anything happens between now and when the Senate votes on it. If it does, it will be ahead of the Sept. 12 legislative session deadline, before it's pushed out to Jan. 2026.