Modo Casino Will Offer Gold Coin Play in California Post Jan. 1

On Jan. 1, 2026, online sweepstakes casinos will be banned in California; however, one platform may have a potential workaround that could still make it available in the state. 

This past Thursday, Modo Casino sent an email to players in California with the subject line "Update to your Modo Casino Experience in California." 

The email told players they'd be hearing more from the platform "soon with details." 

Sweeps Play Ends Dec. 31

As expected, on Dec. 31 this year, play with Sweeps Coins will end, but the platform provided one key update to Sweepsy.

“MODO will fully comply with California’s new legislation and will withdraw all Sweeps Coin activity in the state effective December 31, 2025,” a Modo Casino spokesperson said to Sweepsy. “MODO will continue to operate its Freemium Play (Gold Coins only) experience in California indefinitely, ensuring players can still enjoy safe, fully compliant entertainment. As always, MODO remains committed to operating responsibly and transparently while continuing to innovate and deliver a world-class social experience.”

While Sweeps Coins play will end, Modo will still be available to players in a limited capacity with Gold Coin play only. 

The Modo Email

Here's a complete transcript of what the email Modo sent out to its players said: 

“We wanted to let you know that California recently passed AB831, a new law, that will end sweepstakes (SC) gameplay in the state beginning January 1, 2026.

“No need to worry about losing access to Modo Casino, our team is already working on updates to ensure we can continue to deliver a fun and rewarding experience for all California players after that date! You’ll be hearing more from us soon with details on what’s next. 

“As always, thank you for being a valued member of the Modo community. Should you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact our friendly Modo Customer Support Team and we will be happy to assist you.”

Modo Becoming A Social Platform

With this move, Modo Casino will be considered a social casino platform in California, a strategy that's not uncommon. We've seen it done with platforms under the VGW umbrella (Chumba, LuckyLand Slots, Global Poker), where they stay operational, but only offer Gold Coins play. VGW did this in New Jersey following the ban on sweepstakes casinos earlier this year. 

As for other sweepstakes casinos, we've already seen nine pull out of California completely thus far. They could return and offer Gold Coin play only in the future, but for now, High 5, Carnival Citi, Ruby Sweeps, Dara Casino, SweepsUSA, Grand Vault Casino, TheBoss.Casino, CosmoSlots, and LuckySlots are departing. 

Some other sweepstakes casinos, such as WOW Vegas, are taking a slightly different path: They're staying online and offering everything until the last possible moment before the ban takes effect, but will then depart. 

We'll see what happens as this year comes to a close, be it sweepstakes casinos closing early, staying until the end, or morphing into what Modo will do.