WOW Vegas Extends California Stay, Eyes 2026 Milestone

WOW Vegas, a popular sweepstakes casino brand, has confirmed that its platform will remain open to California players until 11:59 pm on December 31st, 2025. The operator’s decision is linked to the recent decision of the state to ban sweepstakes casino operations through the signed AB 831.

Sweepstakes casino operators have responded to Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision in a variety of ways. Many left the state immediately, some adopted a phased approach, and others preferred to stay until the last second. WOW Vegas is the largest sweeps operator that’s known to fall into the third category, giving Californians more time to enjoy the casino-style games and initiate redemptions.

A Look at Sweepstakes Casinos’ Responses to AB831

Governor Newsom’s approval of AB 831 has reshaped the state’s gaming landscape. Here’s a look at the responses and strategic movements of top operators immediately after the bill’s approval:

• Dara Casino, Ruby Sweeps, and Carnival Citi. All three sites have shut down their operations within two weeks after the government passed AB 831 on September 12th.
• High 5 Casino. The operator initially planned to leave in early September, but pushed its schedule to October 20th.
• Spree and Baba Casino. Baba and Spree took a different approach by re-opening in other states to compensate for the loss of the California market. Baba went live again in six states, while Spree resumed operations in Georgia and Alabama.

Other sweepstakes casinos adjusted their T&Cs and business models to reflect the changing regulatory environment. For example, A1 Development LLC lowered its minimum age requirement for its Fortune Wheelz, NoLimitCoins, and Tao Fortune to 18 years old.

However, not all operators were lucky. Vivaro, for example,  permanently closed its platform last October 1st. According to its management, the increasing regulatory uncertainties pushed them out of the market.

WOW Vegas Remains Committed to Its California Operations

While other operators are exiting and adjusting their business model, WOW Vegas remains committed to the state. By extending its operations until the last seconds of 2025, WOW Vegas hopes to celebrate a milestone by January 1st, 2026, when the ban takes effect.

There’s nothing in California’s AB 831 that prevents sweepstakes casinos from allowing players to play games and initiate redemptions all the way until 11:59 pm on December 31st. It’s a standard rule for California bills to have an effectivity date on January 1st, unless there’s an amendment.

REFERENCES:

• AB 831 Analysis