A nationwide poll conducted by the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) showed that Californians overwhelmingly oppose banning online social games with sweepstakes promotions.
As a result, the SGLA is urging the rejection of Assembly Bill 831 (AB831), which threatens to ban sweepstakes casinos. The California Senate Appropriations Committee has moved the bill to a vote on the Senate floor. Here are some noteworthy points that were highlighted from the poll responses:
The fight against AB831 extends beyond this survey as three California tribes are planning to rally against the bill in Sacramento. It’s scheduled to take place on Monday, September 8th. The Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, and Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria are expected to be represented.
Jeff Duncan, who is executive of the SGLA, weighed in about why the proposed social casino ban is bad for California and its residents.
“SGLA is extremely disappointed that the Senate Appropriations Committee has decided to move AB831 forward instead of listening to the California tribal nations that oppose the bill, the legitimate California businesses that will be threatened with criminal liability for providing routine services, the California constituents who have made it clear they commonsense regulation over banning online social games and the California players who love the games,” Duncan said. “We urge lawmakers who are planning to vote in favor of AB831 to reconsider their stance and think about what their constituents actually want.”
Economic modeling supports the SGLA’s case for voting against the ban. According to the press release, online social games currently generate more than $1 billion annually in direct and indirect benefit to California. One solution suggested from the analysis would be implementing a modern regulatory framework. This could potentially deliver $200 to $300 million in yearly tax revenue to the state government.
The SGLA is looking to find common ground that would benefit all parties. The organization is looking to work with state leaders to “develop a smart and modern regulatory framework.” It would cover several different areas, including:
The upside for the SGLA is the bill still needs majority approval by both the Senate and Assembly before it reaches Gov. Gavin Newsom. The anti-sweeps bill advanced to the full Senate on August 29th. In order to advance from the full Senate, AB831 needs the simple majority of 21 out of 40 votes.
The current legislative session ends on Friday, September 12th. If the bill fails to advance this time around, it can be delayed to the 2026 session that begins in January.
