USA
October 2025 accelerated the crackdown on US sweepstakes casinos, with California passing AB 831 to enact a statewide ban and Montana and Connecticut enforcing prohibitions. YouTube tightened content rules, while SGLA bolstered lobbying with a new managing director. Minnesota's weak enforcement and a record Spree jackpot highlighted regulatory differences and positive outcomes for the sweepstakes industry, shaping a volatile landscape for operators, regulators, and players.
TL;DR: A Bite-sized Overview:
- California signs AB 831: Bans sweepstakes casinos effective January 2026.
- YouTube restricts gambling content: Age-limits social casino videos from November 17.
- SGLA appoints Sean Ostrow as New managing director, leading its advocacy efforts.
- Montana and Connecticut ban sweeps: Laws took effect on October 1.
- Minnesota contacts operators: Lacks the power to enforce operators to exit the state.
- Spree player wins 852,958 SC: Woman hits XXL progressive jackpot at Spree sweepstakes casino.
California Governor Newsom Signs AB 831, Banning Sweepstakes Casinos
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831 into law in October 2025, banning online sweepstakes casinos and dual-currency gambling statewide, effective January 1, 2026. Newsom closes a loophole that allowed operators to mimic real-money online casinos through virtual coin purchases and cash redemptions.
The law holds operators, payment processors, suppliers, geolocation providers, and affiliates liable, with misdemeanor penalties including fines of up to $25,000 and up to 1 year in jail. Exemptions cover licensed tribal casinos, state lotteries, and product-tied promotions.
Tribal gaming groups supported AB 831 to protect exclusivity, citing consumer risks from unregulated sites lacking responsible gaming tools. The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance opposed it, warning of $1 billion in lost economic activity and tax revenue.
High 5 Casino and Fortune Coins have already removed access for California players, with others updating compliance.
YouTube Tightens Rules on Gambling and Social Casino Content Starting November 17
YouTube will enforce stricter Community Guidelines from November 17, 2025, targeting gambling content and graphic video game violence to shield minors and address digital trends like NFTs.
The policy expands bans on directing users to uncertified gambling sites, now covering bets with digital assets such as game skins or cosmetics. Channels promoting these risk-removal or age-restriction measures. Additionally, we tag all our content as gambling and set age restrictions when uploading to comply with policies and our own conscience.
Social casino simulations of slots or roulette, even without real money, will be age-restricted to adults only, curbing gambling-like exposure. This shouldn’t impact JustGamblers’ YouTube content, since we only promote Google-certified sites, and most of our video reviews are informational, not promotional, and not subject to compensation or paid advertising.
SGLA Appoints Sean Ostrow as Managing Director to Lead Advocacy
The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) named policy strategist Sean J. Ostrow Managing Director in October 2025 to spearhead government affairs for sweepstakes-style social gaming operators.
Ostrow will drive lobbying and public policy, collaborating with lawmakers on responsible innovation, reporting to the board and Executive Director Jeff Duncan. Duncan highlighted Ostrow's coalition-building skills from roles at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, advising the MLB, NBA, and PGA Tour, and as FanDuel's Government Affairs Manager, advancing fantasy sports legislation.
Ostrow stated the industry offers "creative, accessible entertainment" but is misunderstood, aiming for fact-based dialogue and regulated, safe access for adults.
Sweepstakes Casinos Banned in Montana and Connecticut, Effective October 1
Montana and Connecticut outlawed sweepstakes casinos on October 1, joining Nevada and New Jersey in banning sweepstakes casinos in 2025.
Montana's Senate Bill 555, signed in May, amends the definition of "internet gambling" to prohibit platforms that transmit bets or payouts, effective October 1 under state law. Connecticut's SB1235, signed in June, bans unlicensed sweepstakes using simulated devices or casino-style play, effective October 1. Operators like Chumba and WOW Vegas have already exited Montana.
Minnesota Targets Sweepstakes Casinos But Lacks Enforcement Power
Minnesota's Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division contacted over 20 sweepstakes and offshore operators, including Stake.us, McLuck, Fortune Coins, Golden Hearts Games, ReBet, VGW, and Zula, and requested that they cease or modify their operations for state residents.
The outreach started June 1, and regulators view the sweepstakes platforms as illegal, unlicensed gambling. However, the division cannot issue formal cease-and-desist orders to non-licensees, limiting action to future license reviews or Attorney General escalation.
So far, no operators have exited the state, and Minnesota is absent from many sweepstakes casinos in restricted territories. This contrasts with states like New York and Louisiana, which use effective Cease-and-Desist orders where operators have been seen exiting.
Colossal 852,958 SC Jackpot Hit at Spree Sweepstakes Casino
A woman won a massive 852,958 SC jackpot at Spree sweepstakes casino, hitting the XXL tier of the sitewide SpreePotz progressive while playing RubyPlay's Giga Match Sugar Skull. SpreePotz offers four random tiers (Mini, Minor, Major, XXL) across all games in Gold Coins and Spree Coins modes, with no impact from game selection or stake. The XXL is the rarest with the largest SC jackpot payout.
Few sweepstakes sites provide sitewide progressives on every sweepstakes slot, positioning Spree as a top choice for potential big jackpot payouts.