ClubWPT Gold to Defy California Sweepstakes Ban: Claims to Offer 'New' Model

Assembly Bill 831, a measure aimed at banning online sweepstakes gambling — including sweepstakes-based poker - was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom over the weekend. But not every company is looking to exit that lucrative market at the date the ban is expected to be imposed, January 1, 2026. 

ClubWPT Gold says it recently switched from the dual-currency model used by the majority of sweepstakes operators to a new, apparently unique system.

Users can still play for and with ‘chips’, which can be withdrawn as real currency, but instead of offering them with purchases of play money they come as packages with automated hand analysis credits. 

‘We are aware of the new California legislation scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026,’ reads a statement from ClubWPT Gold on its website. ‘In preparation, our team has been proactively making updates to the platform and developing new features to align with the upcoming legislative change. We are committed to continuing to operate in compliance with California law.’

Other big name sweepstakes brands like Chumba and McLuck were widely expected to exit the California market or are in the process of doing so now.