WOW Vegas Extends California Operation Until Ban Takes Effect
WOW Vegas has elected to maintain operations in California until the final moment before promotional sweepstakes gaming becomes illegal in the state, according to reports from Sweepsy.com. The decision means the casino brand plans to operate through December 31, 2025. This date is the last day before Assembly Bill 831 (AB831) officially takes effect on January 1, 2026, criminalizing sweepstakes casinos statewide.
AB831 Forces Operator Exodus
The decision by WOW Vegas stands out from the actions of other operators who have already exited California. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB831 after it passed the state legislature with near-unanimous votes. The law gives sweepstakes operators a firm deadline to cease business.
The language in AB831 is broad. It not only criminalizes sweepstakes casino operators but also targets entities that knowingly and willfully support their operations. These include financial institutions, geolocation providers, and gaming content suppliers. This wide scope has triggered a rapid exodus of businesses.
Several smaller operators, such as Carnival Citi, Dara Casino, and Ruby Sweeps, shut down platforms within two weeks of the bill’s signing in September. High 5 Casino, one of the largest brands to leave early, completed its full withdrawal from California by October 20. Game suppliers like Playtech and Pragmatic also removed their games from sweeps sites available to California players.
Strategic Move Against Legal Risk
Operators leaving before the January 1, 2026, deadline are likely acting out of caution. This early withdrawal aims to protect them from potential criminal liability or the risk of profits disgorgement if legal issues arose after the new year.
WOW Vegas’s strategy is to maximize remaining revenue from the massive California market. AB831 does not prohibit operators from allowing customers to play Sweeps Coin games until 11:59 PM on December 31, 2025. WOW Vegas is currently the largest known brand choosing to remain until the final hour of legal operation.
The regulation follows an intense political conflict over gambling exclusivity. The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) and influential tribes strongly backed AB831. They view sweepstakes operators as intruders violating tribal exclusivity rights to casino gaming.
The governor’s signature on the bill confirmed a victory for the state’s powerful tribal gaming interests. Analysts had estimated the sweepstakes casino sector generated about billion in annual economic activity in California before the ban.
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