MegaBonanza Halts Marketing Efforts in California Ahead of AB 831

With Assembly Bill 831 passing relatively easily through the appropriate legislative channels thus far, the sweepsakes casino brand MegaBonanza is adjusting its marketing strategy in case it passes. 

Starting July 20, MegaBonanza has shut down all marketing efforts in the state. 

Players can still access the site, but they'll no longer see any promotional materials. 

This change makes MegaBonanza the first sweepstakes casino in California to adjust its activities in the state amid the looming passage of AB 831. 

AB 831, if passed, would ban sweepstakes casinos and criminalize those associated with them, including payment processors and marketing partners. 

More on AB 831

A previous iteration of AB 831 was quite stringent against potential offenders, including penalties for those who promoted sweepstakes casinos through endorsements or promotions. 

There was an amendment on July 16 that changed the language, though. 

It now reads as follows: 

“This bill would make it unlawful for any person or entity to operate, conduct, or offer an online sweepstakes game, as defined, in this state. The bill would make it unlawful for any entity, financial institution, payment processor, geolocation provider, gaming content supplier, platform provider, or media affiliate to knowingly support directly or indirectly the operation, conduct, or promotion of an online sweepstakes game within this state.”

In essence, celebrities who endorse sweepstakes casinos, such as Ryan Seacrest, Drake, and Paris Hilton, will not face legal consequences for endorsing platforms that are available in California. 

Getting a Head Start

With MegaBonanza ceasing marketing materials as of July 20, it's getting a head start on eliminating anything that could incriminate it should AB 831, in its current state, pass. 

The new rules would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, should they pass, leaving MegaBonanza 5-6 months to be completely clear of any potential issues. 

MegaBonanza is the only sweepstakes casino under the LuminaryPlay Operations Limited brand. It's a 21+ platform that's not available in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and West Virginia. 

On Deck For AB 831

AB 831 will be heard before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Aug. 18 at 10 am local time. 

So far, it has cleared the Governmental Organization and Public Safety committees. Both stops had unanimous support. 

Should it pass in the Appropriations Committee, it'll be sent back to the Assembly for approval due to the number of changes. 

Should the Assembly not accept them, a conference committee will be formed to draft a new bill, which will then need to be passed in both the Senate and Assembly. 

The legislative session in California ends on September 12. A special session may be called, but if not, it'll carry over into January 2026.