CaliforniaGambling: operation of a contest or sweepstakes.
What it does
Existing law prohibits specified unfair acts or practices undertaken or committed by any person in the operation of any contest or sweepstakes including, among other things, using or offering for use any method intended to be used by a person interacting with an electronic video monitor to simulate gambling or play gambling-themed games in a business establishment that directly or indirectly implements the predetermination of sweepstakes cash, cash-equivalent prizes, or other prizes of value, or otherwise connects a sweepstakes player or participant with sweepstakes cash, cash-equivalent prizes, or other prizes of value.
More detail
This bill would specify that using or offering for use any method, including an internet website or an online application, in the manner described above is prohibited, and would make conforming changes. The bill would delete the term "gambling-themed games" from the above-described provisions, and revise the description of "gambling" to include examples, such as lottery games, bingo, sports wagering, or any game that mimics or simulates similar gambling, as specified. The bill would make an unfair practice using or offering games of these types that use a system of payment that allows a person to play or participate in a simulated gambling program for direct or indirect consideration, as specified, and for which the person playing the simulated gambling program may become eligible for a prize or award, cash or cash equivalents, or a chance to win a prize or award, or cash or cash equivalents, in a business establishment, on the internet, or using an online application. The bill would specify that these provisions do not make a game that does not award cash prizes or cash equivalents unlawful.
Existing law makes it unlawful to engage in specified activities related to gambling, including, among others, (1) proposing or drawing a lottery, (2) dealing or playing certain games played with cards, dice, or any device for money, and (3) manufacturing, repairing, or owning slot machines. A violation of these prohibitions is a misdemeanor.
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 and willfully support directly or indirectly the operation, conduct, or promotion of an online sweepstakes game within this state. The bill would make a person who violates these provisions guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not less than $1,000 nor more than $25,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year, or by both the fine and imprisonment. By creating new crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
This bill would specify that these provisions do not make unlawful or otherwise restrict lawful games and methods used by a gambling enterprise licensed under the Gambling Control Act or operations of the California State Lottery. The bill would specify that these provisions do not make unlawful game promotions or sweepstakes conducted by for-profit commercial entities on a limited and occasional basis as an advertising and marketing tool that are incidental to substantial bona fide sales of consumer products or services and that are not intended to provide a vehicle for the establishment of ongoing gambling or gaming.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Oct 11Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 623, Statutes of 2025.Latest
- Oct 11Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 24Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.To Governor
- Sep 12Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3366.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 831 Valencia Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Sep 11From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 20. Noes 0.) (September 11).Minor
- Vote recorded With recommendation: That Senate amendments be concurred in. Result: pass.Lower
- Sep 10Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 3164.)
- Sep 9Re-referred to Com. on G.O. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.Minor
- Sep 8In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB831 Valencia By Cervantes. Result: pass.Upper
- Sep 8Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 2622.).Passed Senate
- Sep 4Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Sep 3Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 29Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 29From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).Minor
- Aug 18In committee: Referred to suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 16Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jul 15From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 15).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 8From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (July 8). Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Public Safety]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 27Re-referred to Coms. on G.O. and PUB. S.Minor
- Jun 27Re-referred to Com. on RLS. pursuant to Senate Rule 29.10(c).Minor
- Jun 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Jun 23Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Jun 23Ordered to second reading.Minor
- Jun 23From inactive file.
- Jun 13Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Richardson.
- Jun 13From Consent Calendar.
- Jun 11Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.Minor
- Jun 10From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (June 10).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be ordered to the Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14Referred to Com. on G.O.Minor
- May 6In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- May 5Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 1420.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 831 Ramos Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Apr 10Ordered to second reading.Minor
- Apr 10Withdrawn from committee.Major
- Apr 3From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 21. Noes 0.) (April 2). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 2
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Referred to Com. on G.O.Minor
- Feb 20From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
- Feb 19Read first time. To print.Introduced