A diverse coalition of organizations, including the Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), has joined forces to oppose a new bill in California that aims to prohibit daily fantasy sports (DFS).
The bill, AB 831, was introduced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and is currently before the State Senate.
In addition to the SPGA and ACLU, the alliance includes the American Transaction Processors Coalition, the Association of National Advertisers, and the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA), among others.
The groups have united over shared concerns about the bill’s potential impact on both consumers and lawful businesses.
The SPGA announced the alliance on its website, stating that its primary concern is the legislative uncertainty created by the bill’s general language, particularly regarding the legality of sweepstakes operations, which are currently legal in California.
An official legislative hearing for the bill is scheduled for July 15, 2025.
An SPGA spokesperson released a full statement on the matter.
The SPGA is proud to stand alongside the ACLU, the Association of National Advertisers, and other partners in voicing concerns about AB 83. This diverse coalition, including civil liberties advocates, leading businesses and industry groups, reflects a shared belief that the bill, as written, could have unintended consequences for lawful promotional practices without offering clear consumer protections.
The debate over AB 831 places California at the center of the national conversation regarding how to classify and regulate modern forms of online games and promotions. The outcome of the legislative process is being closely watched by multiple industries, as it could set a significant precedent for how such activities are treated across the United States.
