Sports Betting Sites / Play / Nearly 20,000 Messages Opposing Sweepstakes Casino Ban Have Been Registered to Lawmakers in California

Nearly 20,000 Messages Opposing Sweepstakes Casino Ban Have Been Registered to Lawmakers in California

Dan Holmes

Sports Writer

Publish Date: Jul 11, 2025

Fact checked by: Sara Jane Gamelli

Key Points

As many as 20,000 messages of opposition reach California lawmakers about potential sweepstakes casino ban
Hearing in California Senate committee debates merits of prohibition on social and sweepstakes casino platforms
Bill could be voted on prior to Fall conclusion of state legislative session

If the will of the people is as powerful as Thomas Jefferson and others said it is, then the California state legislature may need to heed the opinions of gaming enthusiasts.

In Sweeps News, at least 20,000 messages flooded the inboxes of members of the California Senate Governmental Organization Committee prior to the public hearing for Assembly Bill 831 on July 8. This, according to reporting from Quorum.us.

Leading social gaming companies are galvanizing their California player base to fight back against proposed legislation that could outlaw their popular online sweepstakes games. Operators like Virtual Gaming World, the parent company of Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, have initiated a widespread email campaign, urging users to contact state legislators and voice their opposition to Assembly Bill 831. california office of the attorney general

In messages sent to their California customers, the companies warn that the bill could eliminate the "freedom to play the games you love" without any prior notice or player consultation. "Millions of Californians enjoy Chumba Casino games safely and responsibly every day, and lawmakers need to hear that," one email from Chumba Casino stated, framing the issue as a matter of player rights.

To facilitate this grassroots lobbying effort, the companies are directing players to a specialized webpage created by the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) on Quorum, a public affairs software platform. The page simplifies the process of contacting local representatives. After a user enters their address, the system automatically identifies their specific lawmaker and provides tools to write, call, or post a message on the social media platform X.

The sweeps casino even provides a pre-written script for players who choose to call their representatives, which argues that "online social games are safe, fun and free to play" and that legislators "should not give into pressure by gambling interests to ban these games to squash perceived competition." Similarly, a pre-drafted post for X is available, echoing the same points.

The campaign appears to be gaining significant traction. On the eve of a crucial hearing for AB 831 in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee on July 8, the SGLA's Quorum page reported that nearly 20,000 actions had been taken by players to contact their representatives. This digital activism comes as VGW has also engaged in direct lobbying, indicating to lawmakers a willingness to pay sales tax and explore other tax frameworks in the state.

VGW is not alone in its efforts. Other online sweepstakes operators are deploying similar strategies. Golden Hearts Games, for example, has also emailed its California player base, providing a template letter for them to send to legislators. Their suggested language takes a more direct and assertive tone, warning lawmakers: "I, and many other voters, will be paying close attention to your stance on this issue when election season comes around."

The coordinated campaign highlights a growing conflict between the burgeoning sweepstakes gaming industry and California lawmakers. By mobilizing their extensive user base, these companies are transforming their players into a potent political voice in an effort to protect their operations within the state. The outcome of the committee hearing on AB 831 is now eagerly awaited by all stakeholders involved in the debate.

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