"Earlier this month, the California Legislature approved Assembly Bill 831, which bans companies from offering certain types of online sweepstakes that the tribes see as a threat to their exclusive rights to gambling in California. In an example of how much political clout the tribes have - thanks in part to the millions of dollars they have donated to legislators' reelection campaigns - the measure easily passed both legislative chambers without any of California's 120 lawmakers voting against it."
"Players typically download an app to play a game of chance such as slots or cards. Each day, they are given a limited number of virtual gold coins to play. When the players run out of free coins, they can purchase more from the company to keep playing. Even with a virtual coin purchase, there's no cash payout for winning one of the games of chance."
California enacted Assembly Bill 831 to ban companies from offering certain online sweepstakes that tribes consider threats to their exclusive gambling rights. The measure passed both legislative chambers unanimously after tribes' significant political influence backed by millions in campaign donations and at least $1.7 million spent on lobbying for and against the bill. Gov. Gavin Newsom has not yet indicated whether he will sign the bill. The bill follows a law last year allowing tribes to sue card rooms; tribes immediately sued. The sweepstakes apps give free virtual coins daily, allow coin purchases, and provide no cash payouts for wins.
Read at Los Angeles Times
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]