Global Poker, ClubGG, and ClubWPTGold might be illegal in California very soon... but there's a small glimmer of hope

[Dan Druff]

Good article by Haley Hintze explaining the complex world of "sweepstakes online poker sites": https://haleyhintze.substack.com/p/c...g-sweeps-sites

The sweepstakes online poker sites use a legal loophole to provided what they think is legal online poker, as they tie it to BS "sweepstakes" rather than playing directly for cash. This allows the sites to claim that they are sweepstakes, not gambling, and thus far have been able to run in most states.

California, where there is no legal online gambling of any kind, has suddenly put a lot of pressure on the sweepstakes sites to leave the state. The big three poker sites are ClubWPTGold, Global Poker, and ClubGG, but there are non-poker sweepstakes gambling sites such as stake.us.

It is highly likely that a law will pass in California making these immediately illegal. However, there is some belief that eventually these will be connected to tribal gaming, which was perhaps the plan all along. Note that the tribes are likely behind this effort in the first place, and a number of them have donated to Governor Gavin Newsom in the past, which has resulted in his support of laws which favor them. The sudden interest in shutting down these sweepstakes gambling sites might simply be to force their hand to partner with tribal gaming, rather than running on their own.

If that partnership does not occur, or if the law does not change even if it does occur, expect the sweepstakes sites to be gone from California before 2026.

[Dive_Bar_Dave]

I heard it was put into a suspense file and that it probably wouldn’t be passed and that a small indian tribe was trying to lobby to get invlolved with the money. I need to read the article in your link. I love these sites. Ugh.

Update. Read the article. So messy. Oy vey.

[Ryback_feed_me_more]

Good article by Haley Hintze explaining the complex world of "sweepstakes online poker sites": https://haleyhintze.substack.com/p/c...g-sweeps-sites

The sweepstakes online poker sites use a legal loophole to provided what they think is legal online poker, as they tie it to BS "sweepstakes" rather than playing directly for cash. This allows the sites to claim that they are sweepstakes, not gambling, and thus far have been able to run in most states.

California, where there is no legal online gambling of any kind, has suddenly put a lot of pressure on the sweepstakes sites to leave the state. The big three poker sites are ClubWPTGold, Global Poker, and ClubGG, but there are non-poker sweepstakes gambling sites such as stake.us.

It is highly likely that a law will pass in California making these immediately illegal. However, there is some belief that eventually these will be connected to tribal gaming, which was perhaps the plan all along. Note that the tribes are likely behind this effort in the first place, and a number of them have donated to Governor Gavin Newsom in the past, which has resulted in his support of laws which favor them. The sudden interest in shutting down these sweepstakes gambling sites might simply be to force their hand to partner with tribal gaming, rather than running on their own.

If that partnership does not occur, or if the law does not change even if it does occur, expect the sweepstakes sites to be gone from California before 2026.

After the fiasco over the last fight to get legal online poker in Cali with the indian tribes infighting each other I wouldnt hold my breathe. Everyone of those damn tribes is dysfunctional and think they alone have the right to offer certain things. They dont play nice with each other and would sell their family members into slavery still to this day.

[thesparten]

I heard it was put into a suspense file and that it probably wouldn’t be passed and that a small indian tribe was trying to lobby to get invlolved with the money. I need to read the article in your link. I love these sites. Ugh.

Update. Read the article. So messy. Oy vey.

Better then the "real sites"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Small_Banana]

Los Angeles City is suing Stake.us and several slot providers (pragmatic, hacksaw, nolimit city, etc) under the grounds that they are illegally allowing online gambling. Many of the slot providers have stopped accepting wagers from people in California.

https://www.actionnetwork.com/news/s...torneys-office

[Small_Banana]

Los Angeles City is suing Stake.us and several slot providers (pragmatic, hacksaw, nolimit city, etc) under the grounds that they are illegally allowing online gambling. Many of the slot providers have stopped accepting wagers from people in California.

https://www.actionnetwork.com/news/s...torneys-office

The slot YouTubers (VegasMatt, Bluff, BCslots, NGslot, lady luck HQ) are playing with fire by promoting these sweepstakes sites on YouTube. I think YouTube is gonna drop the hammer on anyone promoting them.

[Ryback_feed_me_more]

Not sure WTF ClubWPTGold is thinking but they are about to destroy their claims as a sweepstakes poker site. Announced earlier today their play money Gold Chips are going away. As I understand it they can give away or hand SweepsCoins which are essentially real money when people buy the fake currency. How do they think they can legally operate without their fake currency as is generally required on the other sites claiming to be sweepstakes poker

[Dive_Bar_Dave]

Yeah, getting rid of gold coins is a perplexing move. On another site, people are discussing this. Some people think they are getting away from dual currency, which is mentioned in the CA bill.

Others said Doug Polk isn't concerned about the bill passing and that PLO is coming soon. Another guy posted a link to a Forbes article that is really long and filled with legal info.

[Dive_Bar_Dave]

People on other sites are guessing that WPT Gold may switch over to a subscription model at some point.