The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) has strengthened its leadership team by naming Sean Ostrow as managing director. The organization announced the news earlier this week, highlighting Ostrow’s decade-plus of experience advising leading entertainment, technology, and gaming companies on legislative and regulatory strategy.
Ostrow’s main responsibility will be overseeing SGLA’s lobbying and policy initiatives. This will include working with legislators, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure the online social games with sweepstakes promotions sector continues to thrive responsibly. He will work closely with SGLA Executive Director Jeff Duncan, who didn’t hesitate to highlight Ostrow’s well-established track record.
“Sean brings a rare combination of deep policy expertise and on-the-ground advocacy experience that will be invaluable to our mission,” Duncan said. “His track record of building coalitions and navigating complex legislative environments will help the SGLA strengthen its understanding of this industry and ensure responsible innovation continues to flourish.”
Ostrow’s previous experience has included serving as a multi-state contract attorney and strategist with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, leading policy initiatives for the Sports Betting Alliance. Major League Baseball, the NBA, and the PGA Tour are a few clients he advised.
Ostrow also worked with FanDuel as manager of government affairs. He played a key role in securing the passage of fantasy sports legislation in multiple states. In his newest role, Ostrow will help the SGLA continue advocating for fair oversight and a modern regulatory framework for the social gaming industry.
“Online social games with sweepstakes represent a creative, accessible, and thriving form of online entertainment, yet its story has been misunderstood,” Ostrow said. “I’m honored to join the SGLA in advancing a fact-based conversation about this dynamic industry and in working with policymakers to ensure adults can continue to enjoy these games safely and responsibly.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB831 into law last week. It means sweepstakes casinos will be geo-blocked from operating in California as of January 1, 2026. High 5 Casino and Ruby Sweeps are a couple of brands that have already announced Golden State exit plans.
The SGLA was extremely active during the whole legislative process, even making an effort to get Newsom to veto AB831. The organization also published survey results showing overwhelming support against a sweepstakes ban. Once word spread that Newsom signed the sweepstakes casino legislation, the SGLA wasted little time expressing its disappointment.
“Voters, players who love online social games, California tribes, and online social game operators all made their position clear: they didn’t want a ban on this popular, safe form of entertainment,” Duncan said. “We hoped that Governor Newsom would see past the anti-competitive efforts of the powerful, well-funded tribes behind this bill and veto AB831, but he chose the easy, short-sighted path and turned his back on choice, innovation, and economic gains.”
