WOW Vegas Prepared to Stay in California Until Dec. 31

Despite AB 831 passing in California, which will ban sweepstakes casinos in the state starting on Jan. 1, 2026, sweepstakes casino WOW Vegas is opting to stay right until the absolute end, according to Sweepsy.

This comes as other sweepstakes casinos have already left the state, are leaving, or are phasing out.

Examining Other Exits

In addition to this news regarding WOW Vegas, we do know that Carnival Citi, Dara Casino, Ruby Sweeps, and SweepsUSA have left the state. 

Then there’s High 5, which delayed its exit, but that occurred on Oct. 20. 

Other sweepstakes casinos, such as Baba Casino, Spree, and ACE, have reopened in other states.

Additionally, there’s A1 Development, a company that oversees NoLimitCoins, Tao Fortune, and more, which changed its minimum age requirements from 21 to 18. 

Finally, there’s Vivaro.us, which closed completely, citing the sweepstakes casino as the reason for “increasing regulatory uncertainty.”

More On AB 831

As mentioned, AB 831 is going into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. In the meantime, there’s nothing that says players can’t redeem or use Sweeps Coins at sweepstakes casino until the moment on the clock turns to Jan. 1, 2026. 

So, technically, other sweepstakes casinos could do the same, but those that are leaving are likely doing so just out of additional caution to ensure there are no potential unforeseen issues. 

Not only is AB 831 coming after sweepstakes casinos, though. It’s also coming after “any entity, financial institution, payment processor, geolocation provider, gaming content supplier, platform provider, or media affiliate [that] knowingly and willfully support[s] directly or indirectly the operation, conduct, or promotion of an online sweepstakes game within this state.”

According to Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, California makes up over 17% of sweepstakes casino revenue.

Other States That Could Come Down on Sweeps Casinos

With California passing this law, it only makes sense to wonder whether other states will follow suit with sweepstakes casinos. 

Appearing at the Global Gaming Expo, panelists mentioned Florida and Texas as potential states to come down on them, and Howard Glaser of Light & Wonder also mentioned Ohio. 

Florida could take aim in 2026, considering the Seminole Tribe, the owner of Hard Rock International, is there.

As for Texas, its next legislative session is in 2027. 

Glaser pointed out Ohio, and what’s interesting is that there is a bill in progress there now. However, the bill would make sweepstakes casinos illegal, but real-money online casinos would become legal. So, lawmakers need to weigh whether that is worth it. 

We’ll keep up to date on what happens in the sweepstakes industry next, be it states that make them illegal, or other platforms’ decisions in California.