California’s Anti-Sweepstakes Bill Could Shake Up Online Gaming And Fantasy Sports

California’s new bill targeting sweepstakes casinos may have major implications for online gaming, tribal exclusivity, and even fantasy sports platforms.

Draftkings Sportsbook at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on Feb 9, 2024. | Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

If you're playing fantasy sports in the Golden State, keep an eye on this: California lawmakers are coming hard for sweepstakes-style casinos. Backed by tribal gaming groups, a new bill introduced in Sacramento aims to slam the door on operators pushing what tribes argue is illegal gambling—and it could have ripple effects across the entire online gaming ecosystem.

What’s the Deal?

California is moving in lockstep with states like New York and Louisiana, proposing legislation that would make it illegal to support, facilitate, or promote sweepstakes-style online casinos. That means no wiggle room for payment processors, game suppliers, platforms, or even high-profile influencers who back them. If passed, California would join Connecticut and Montana in formally banning these operations.

This has fantasy and DFS players asking: Could this momentum bleed into other digital gaming verticals? While traditional fantasy sports are legally distinct, the broader conversation around online gaming legality is heating up fast.

As Light & Wonder’s Howard Glaser put it:

“A bill introduced [Friday] with the backing of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association follows similar lines as the New York legislation passed unanimously this week, making it unlawful to facilitate or promote the operation of illegal online sweepstakes casinos by any ‘person, entity, financial institution, payment processor, geolocation provider, gaming content supplier, platform provider, or media affiliate.’”

Translation for fantasy players: Any platform or affiliate in the gray area of gaming should tread carefully—and stay compliant.

What’s Driving the Crackdown?

Tribal leaders have long argued that sweepstakes casinos infringe on their exclusive right to offer gambling under California’s constitution. With momentum from recent enforcement actions and political pressure mounting, this bill is a major step toward preserving that exclusivity.

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association is fully backing the legislation, and high-profile opponents like Victor Rocha, chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, have been vocal about the threat sweepstakes gaming poses to tribal sovereignty and revenue.

A Celebrity-Sponsored Wild West? Not Anymore

Celebs like Drake and Paris Hilton have jumped into the mix, promoting sweepstakes brands across social media. But under this new bill, those endorsements could be outlawed. In short: California is looking to scrub out anything that smells like unregulated digital gambling.

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California's hard stance on sweepstakes casinos is part of a broader movement to tighten control of online gaming and uphold tribal exclusivity. While fantasy sports and DFS aren’t directly in the crosshairs—yet—platform operators and content creators should stay vigilant. Legal clarity is tightening nationwide, and the margin for error is shrinking fast.