Key takeaways on California social sportsbooks
- Social sportsbooks and sweepstakes casinos are no longer available in California.
- Assembly Bill 831 has been signed into law by Governor Newsom. As such, all sweepstakes casinos and social sportsbooks will be banned from January 1, 2026.
What's happening with social sportsbooks in California?
Put simply, social sportsbooks allow you to make sports predictions without having to deposit real funds. Due to their “sweepstakes” approach, you use virtual currencies to play games.
However, these social online betting sites are no longer available as of January, 1 2026. Assembly Bill 831 prohibits all dual virtual currency sweepstakes sites whereby players can participate and play casino-style games or bet socially on sports for a chance to redeem real world prizes such as cash or cash equivalents.
Social sportsbooks like Fliff and Sportzino have already closed down shop in the Sunshine State and, at the time of writing, the only legal options that remain are single currency social casinos or skill games where you compete against other players.
Are sportsbooks legal in California?
Currently, the Golden State has several laws that cover a wide range of gaming options, from land-based card rooms to tribal casinos and charitable games. For starters, under current California laws, online sportsbooks are not permitted and are considered illegal. However, this restriction doesn’t apply to tribal-run land-based casinos, cardrooms, or the California State Lottery; they remain legal under their respective regulatory structures.
At the time of writing, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 831 into law, which bans online social casinos using dual-currency models. This law, effective January 1, 2026, prohibits platforms that simulate casino-style games and award cash or cash equivalents as prizes.
Final thoughts - here's what you need to know about social sportsbooks in CA
Until recently social sportsbooks remained a valid alternative for bettors in California. These sites operated on a dual virtual currency system, using Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins that allowed you to place social picks on a range of betting markets. However, as of January 1, 2026 social sportsbooks and sweepstakes casinos are no longer available in California.
This comes after the passage of AB 831 which prohibits all sweepstakes sites that use a dual virtual currency system and offer prize redemptions in the form of cash or cash equivalents to operate in the state. As a user in CA you will no longer be able to access these sites or use any of their services. However, you're not entirely without options. True social casinos that use only a single virtual currency and skill games are still allowed to operate in the Sunshine State.
FAQs about California social sportbooks
What sportsbooks are legal in California?
Sportsbooks are currently not legal in California.
Are social betting sites in California considered safe?
Yes, they are. Although, after January 1, 2026 social sportsbooks will no longer be allowed to offer their services to CA users.
What is the legal status of social sportsbooks in California?
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831 into law, which bans online sweepstakes casinos using dual-currency models. This law, effective January 1, 2026, prohibits platforms that simulate casino-style games and award cash or cash equivalents as prizes.
