SPGA responds to California sweepstakes ban
Online sweepstakes organization Social and Promotional Games Association has condemned California lawmakers for pushing a sudden and sweeping ban on promotional sweepstakes.
“This isn’t how sound policy gets made,” a SPGA news release said. “A last-minute effort to outlaw legal digital games, without public debate, expert input, or economic analysis, sends a chilling message to entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors across the state.”
The bill aims to ban social sweepstakes platforms.
The SPGA claims these platforms offer free-to-play digital games that are widely used by consumers and are designed with safeguards such as age-gating, geolocation, and anti-fraud protections.
“California voters didn’t sign on for backroom deals dictated by powerful political interests,” the release continued. “With the state facing wildfires, a housing crisis, and a full federal assault on Californians’ rights, it’s astounding that any lawmaker would make banning mobile games a priority.”
Another concern listed by SPGA was that the broad language of the bill could unintentionally outlaw popular sweepstakes promotions run by household brands such as Marriott, Microsoft, and Starbucks, whose chance-based giveaways are a central part of loyalty and marketing programs nationwide.
The SPGA cautions that this bill could jeopardize California’s longstanding digital entertainment and technology leadership and urges Governor Gavin Newsom and state leaders to reject the legislation.
The SPGA has been outspoken about other states’ decisions to target sweepstakes gaming. In May, the group condemned Montana for finalizing a ban on sweepstakes operations.
Dig deeper
2025/06/13: New York Senate passes online sweepstakes casino ban
2025/06/06: SPGA attacks Play’n Go over black market presence
2025/06/16: Louisiana governor vetoes sweepstakes ban
2025/04/09: Social and Promotional Games Association celebrates withdrawal of “out of touch” legislation targeting sweepstakes
Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
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