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Tribal leaders urge ban on dual‑currency sweepstakes casinos; social‑gaming companies oppose gut‑and‑amend text
Summary
AB 831 would bar online sweepstakes casinos that use a dual‑currency model and cash‑equivalent payouts. Tribal leaders said the platforms evade voter‑approved compacts and offer weak consumer protections; representatives of social‑gaming and sweepstakes firms urged more study and said many platforms already operate lawfully.
Assemblymember Valencia presented AB 831 as a measure to close a loophole used by some online sweepstakes casinos that employ dual‑currency models and cash‑equivalent payouts. Valencia and tribal leaders said such platforms replicate casino‑style gaming while evading state regulation and compact requirements agreed with California Indian tribes.
Johnny Hernandez, vice chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and Isaiah Vivanco, chair of a tribal government association, told the committee illegal sweepstakes platforms are often run offshore, lack…
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