Lucky.me, a social casino platform, added California to its list of restricted territories after notifying its players via email on Monday that it is no longer permitted to offer its products or services to Californians.
Lucky.me Leaves California After AB 831 Was Signed Into Law
The site’s decision to leave the Golden State comes in the wake of California Governor Gavin Newsom signing Assembly Bill 831 into law, officially banning online sweepstakes casinos and the dual-currency system.
The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, banning all sweepstakes platforms, including any “financial institution, payment processor, geolocation provider, gaming content supplier, platform provider, or media affiliate.”
Earlier this week, Lucky.me sent this message to its players:
“We are writing to formally notify you of an important legal development affecting your Lucky.me account. Pursuant to newly enacted state legislation prohibiting the operation and participation in sweepstakes-style casino platforms within the State of California, Lucky.me will no longer be permitted to offer its products or services to individuals residing in, or physically located within, California.
“Effective immediately, all California residents and users accessing Lucky.me from within the State of California are deemed ineligible to access, participate in, or maintain an account on the Lucky.me platform.”
Players Have Until End Of Year To Redeem Sweeps Coin Balances
Lucky.me said in its notice that players have until Dec. 31, 2025, to redeem any eligible Sweeps Coin balances or pending redemptions in accordance with the site’s Terms and Conditions.
Upon expiration of this period, all accounts will be permanently restricted, and access to gameplay and redemptions will be disabled as of Jan. 1, 2026.
“All pending redemptions submitted prior to this effective restriction will continue to be processed by the site’s finance department in the ordinary course of business, consistent with the Lucky.me Terms and Condition,” Lucky.me noted.
Here is the updated list of excluded states for Lucky.me:
- Alabama
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
AB 831 Violators Would Be Guilty Of A Misdemeanor
Under AB 831, violators would be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 or up to a year in county jail, or both. By creating new crimes, the bill is also expected to impose a state-mandated local program.
According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, California’s existing law “prohibits specified unfair acts or practices undertaken or committed by any person in the operation of any contest or sweepstakes.”
This includes “using or offering for use any method intended to be used by a person interacting with an electronic video monitor to simulate gambling or play gambling-themed games in a business establishment that directly or indirectly implements the predetermination of sweepstakes cash, cash-equivalent prizes, or other prizes of value.”
However, AB 831 specifies that “using or offering for use any method, including an internet website or an online application, in the manner described above is prohibited, and would make conforming changes.”