Written by :
Published on :
LOS ANGELES (Gambling911.com) - California players have specific restrictions where the sweepstakes poker site ClubWPT Gold permits play for redeemable/cashout-eligible chips for a limited number of days per month (such as 9 days a month), though you can play with standard virtual/free chips the rest of the time.
California's Restriction on Sweepstakes Poker Sites
The state banned traditional dual-currency sweepstakes casinos effective January 1, 2026. However, certain free-to-play social casinos can still operate legally in California.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831 in October 2025, prohibiting online sweepstakes casinos that use virtual currencies redeemable for cash or prizes.
Unlike a real money online casino or poker room, sweepstakes - or social casinos - is an online platform that allows users to play casino-style games, including slots, bingo, table games, and even live casino games, using virtual currency (or dual currencies) instead of real money. These types of online casinos rely on additional real money purchases once the free play component is exhausted. Any winnings can be redeemed. In contrast, real money online casinos require a small deposit that can be increased through wins. Free play and cash bonuses are typically offered as well with sites like ACR Poker offering free rolls (free play) without having to make an initial deposit.
Some sweepstakes sites have opted to remain in the Golden State by offering Gold Coins-only casino games. These are essentially free-to-play online casinos where players gamble with virtual currency that cannot be redeemed for real money. The industry is remarkably prospering. DoubleDown's 2025 Average monthly revenue per payer was $236.
The ClubWPT Workaround
ClubWPT Gold adopted a new operating model in California based on a controversial interpretation of an exception in the state's sweepstakes gambling law, AB 831.
They referred to the new concept as California Game Days.
"When you’re playing from California, you can win redeemable Chips in our ring games and tournaments for up to a maximum of nine calendar days per month," ClubWPT explains.
The company believes its modified poker platform complies with California law because players can win cash-redeemable Chips on only nine days per month, rather than every day. Regulators have yet to object over the last ten months.
California's AB 831 cracked down hard on the dual-currency sweepstakes casino and poker model. But they also added a lifeline of sorts with the final bill.
The law contains an exception for certain limited or occasional promotional activities.
ClubWPT Gold's apparent argument is that limiting redemption-eligible poker to nine days monthly brings its product within that exception.
ClubWPT Gold also claims to now offer an educational training platform. The site has changed its entire identity to "ClubWPT Gold | Poker Training"
How California Game Days works:
- California players can activate up to nine 24-hour Game Days each month.
- Chips won during those periods are eligible for cash redemption.
- Players can continue playing poker outside those periods, but their winnings aren't immediately redeemable.
- Those nonredeemable Chips can be played again during a future Game Day, with subsequent winnings potentially becoming redeemable.
- The platform's poker-training features remain available daily.
Redditors exchanged their own experiences with ClubWPT since the implementations.
"ClubWPT Gold is legal for 9 days per month. It has the softest games. I've made a deposit and multiple withdrawals directly from my bank account. On the other days I play at Coinpoker. I've never made a withdrawal on Coin so I can't speak to that."
"You can play as much as you want but the money you put on the table in those 9 days per month is what is eligible for withdrawal."
"Yeah lots of people get this wrong or have it misunderstood. I live in Cali and play on ClubWPTGold all month, just "clear" the money for those 9 days. Most months I have days left over."
The Law Appears to Have Created a Loophole
The precise wording of California Penal Code Section 337o(f) matters.
It exempts qualifying promotions conducted on a “limited and occasional basis” that are incidental to genuine sales of products or services, rather than intended to establish ongoing gambling.
The statute does not specify that nine days per month is automatically permissible.
A legal expert interviewed by Card Player in January 2026 argued that ClubWPT Gold's changes were insufficient to comply with the new law.
Its terms, updated September 29, 2026, explicitly describe the California promotion as limited and occasional with the company reserving the right to adjust when redemption-eligible play is available.
Is Nevada Next?
In late September, ClubGPT informed players in Nevada they would no longer be able to access ClubWPT Gold effective September 28. Purchases were immediately shut off.
ClubWPT Gold was quick to follow up with a second email to its Nevada player base that was a bit more positive.
"In response to shifts in the regulatory environment, ClubWPT Gold will be pausing sweepstakes gameplay in Nevada. We are optimistic that with product modifications we can resume offering sweepstakes gameplay in the future," the email read.
Nevada does recognize certain lawful promotional sweepstakes, but that is not the same as California's express “limited and occasional” exception under AB 831.
Nevada's Revised Statutes § 462.105(3)(c).recognizes an exception involving an :“occasional and ancillary promotion conducted by an organization whose primary purpose is not the operation of such a promotion.”
The biggest obstacle is that Nevada's occasional-promotion language concerns what counts as consideration under its lottery law. It is not a blanket authorization for cash-prize poker.
Limiting redemption-eligible play to nine days per month would not, by itself, establish compliance.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
