California draw casinos extend the prohibition of invoice AB 831: what you need to know

All eyes are in California this week, since its controversial draft antiweepstakes is aimed at a second legislative hearing on Tuesday (July 15) before the Senate Public Security Committee. Known as AB 831The bill would prohibit the raffle casinos online and slapped criminal sanctions to operators, suppliers, promoters and even media affiliates.

The proposal has caused a heated debate with groups such as the Association of Social and Promotional Games (SPGA) arguing that it could suffocate “innovation”, while some tribal leaders care that they could damage communities that have already faced historical challenges.

Broadcast prohibition: the movement of California amendment risks jobs, investments and consumer choice pic.twitter.com/i5ewk3jehi

– Bespga (@thesPGA) June 23, 2025

California remains one of the 10 states that have not legalized sports bets. At the same time, daily fantasy sports have been working online in the state for more than a decade. However, the draws of the draw have become a headache for regulators throughout the country. While tax concerns are part of the problem, the biggest challenge is how difficult these regular platforms are.

In June, AB 831 was rewritten from scratch by the Member of the Avelino Valencia Assembly with the support of the Association of Indian Games of the Nations of California. The updated version is designed to close each escape and completely eliminate the casinos of the state raffle.

New: The Draft of California Antiweepstakes obtains its second legislative hearing on July 15 at 9 am PT before the Senate Public Security Committee. AB 831 would prohibit raffle casinos online and impose criminal sanctions to operators, suppliers, promoters and affiliates of the media. pic.twitter.com/n5g7atzdbk

– Daniel Wallach (@Wallachlegal) July 11, 2025

This is what you need to know about AB 831 and how could the drawing casinos affect in California.

Is the raffle in California legal?

Yes, the raffle are generally legal in California provided that certain rules follow. The entrance must be free and based exclusively on chance, without purchase or payment required to enter or claim a prize. The State also has strict transparency and consumer protection requirements. Companies have to clearly reveal the rules, who is eligible and the chances of winning.

But California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, is not a fan of how some platforms have operated. Recently he launched a scathing opinion on them, saying that these types of games have often used to cheat consumers.

In a 33 -page document published earlier this month, Bonta criticized Draft and Pick ‘Style Em. He argued that they crossed a line “because they involve betting on sporting events.”

On the website of the State Department of the State of California, Bonta had already warned: “Thousands of companies use cards, letters and draw calls, or the promise that you have won a prize, to attract consumers to send money, give up their personal information or listen to a persuasive sales argument. Often, consumers give the company their personal information, time or money, just not to recover anything.”

The SGLA urged legislators to reject AB831 during the Hearing of the Government Organization Committee of the California Senate of California on the bill. Because?

AB831 would do it:
Prohibit online social games that offer legal options for “Freemium more draw”
Crill Long Data Legal Precedents … pic.twitter.com/lxne5rxckt

– Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) (@Sleadership) July 8, 2025

Draftkings and Underdog are among the companies that go back. Underdog has said that he will continue to offer fantasy sports in California and even tried to block the opinion of Bonta. That effort did not work and a Judge of the State of California ruled that the opinion does not change the existing state law and allowed it to be published.

Jeff Duncan, Executive Director of the Social Game Leadership Alliance (SGLA) and former congressman, fixed: “This bill is not about protecting players. It’s about protecting competition holders.”

The SGLA has launched a dedicated website. Until now, the site shows 21,577 actions taken, including writing, calling and publication in X, previously known as Twitter, all aimed at local legislators.

What week. The raffle game will still die ugly death. That is not in debate. As for DFS, I see this as an opportunity to redefine the industry in our terms.

– Victor Rocha (@victorrocha1) July 4, 2025

In its “New Normal” web transmission, Victor Rocha, president of the Conference of the Indian Games Association, said it is “only a matter of time before the controversial double currency game form is eradicated.”

How do legitimate draw?

Bonta has some tips to detect legitimate draws and avoid scams.

On the one hand, do not pay to enter a raffle or for the opportunity to win an award. The real draws are free and are based on chance. It is illegal for companies to buy something, pay a rate or do anything to increase their chances of winning. They must give you a way of entering without spending money, although that information is sometimes buried in the small print.

In addition, never pay to claim a prize. If you receive a surprise notice that says you have won, be careful. Legitimate awards do not require “taxes”, shipping rates or any other position.

Avoid calling 1-900 or 900 numbers to enter raffles or collect awards. These “payment for payment” numbers can accumulate large positions and are a common trap.

Be careful if you are asked to call a number, attend a web seminar or unique an event to obtain more information about a raffle or awards, since it is often a tactic to listen to an argument for sale for a product too expensive, a test offer or even a donation.

Do not deliver your personal information such as your phone number, house address or email. Entering a shaded raffle could lead to an avalanche of telemarketing calls, junk mail and spam because your data can be sold to other companies.

Be careful with the impressive names, titles of its official sound and awards that seem too good to be true. Scammers often trust these tricks to look credible and attract people to deliver their money or information.

It is also worth knowing the rules about raffles. If you are paying for the opportunity to win, it is a raffle, not a raffle. In California, raffles are only legal if they are led by a charity organization registered in the Office of the Attorney General, and at least 90 percent of the money collected must go to charity. You can verify if a draw is registered by registering the Registry of Charities and Fund Collection of the Attorney General.

If you think you have found a scam, you can report Directly to the Office of the Attorney General of California.

What states require drawing of draws?

In the United States, only Florida, New York and Rhode Island require the draw record under certain conditions. In Florida and New York, this is applied if the total retail value of all awards is more than $ 5,000. While in Rhode Island, the threshold is $ 500, but only applies to the promotions of retail stores. In some cases, union is also required.

In any other state, the raffles and competitions follow general promotion laws without any specific additional requirement of the State.

Similar to California, many states make it clear that winners cannot be asked to pay or buy something to claim their prize. For promotions linked to alcoholic beverages, there are also rules.

In states such as Alabama, Arizona, Indiana and Vermont, the raffle cannot require people to visit a licensed place to enter, and all these promotions must be open to residents of the entire State.

As for tobacco -related promotions, these are completely prohibited in Massachusetts, Michigan and Virginia.

Outstanding image: Canva

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