SPGA to Merge With SGLA as California Passes Sweeps Ban Bill

The two sweepstakes industry advocacy trade groups, the Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA) and the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA), are merging to consolidate the industry’s advocacy efforts just as California lawmakers voted to outlaw the dual-currency model.

With the merger, first reported by Gambling Insider, SPGA’s operations will merge into SGLA to create a single body representing the interests of sweepstakes and social gaming companies. According to the report, an SPGA spokesperson concluded that one “clear and consistent voice” was needed as regulatory pressure intensifies nationwide.

SPGA: Pioneering Safer Social Casino Standards

SPGA launched in September 2024 as a coalition of companies in the social gaming space. Its membership included firms such as Blazesoft (Zula Casino, Fortune Coins), Fliff, Gold Coin Group, High 5 Entertainment (High 5 Casino), Kickr Games, Octacom, and Woopla Gaming (Funzpoints).

The group framed its mission as providing a “unified voice for the integrity and responsibility of its members’ offerings.”

The SPGA website states that the organization and its members are committed to player safety, industry advocacy, consumer awareness and education, and fostering innovation and industry growth.

Since its inception, the SPGA has been vocal in advocating against various legislative efforts to ban sweepstakes casinos, including in New York.

SGLA: Backed by VGW

SGLA emerged in May 2025. It’s backed by some of the industry’s most prominent names, such as VGW (Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, Global Poker). Other members include Play Studios (social games like MyVegas), Yellow Social Interactive (Pulsz), and ARB Interactive (Modo Casino and Publishers Clearing House).

Former United States Congress member Jeff Duncan leads the SGLA. The group established four core principles: ensuring free-to-play access, promoting responsible gameplay, implementing platform protections, and enforcing strict age restrictions.

Its stated goal has been to build public trust in the sector. It also aims to engage regulators in creating licensing and consumer protection frameworks rather than outright prohibitions.

California’s AB 831 Turns Up the Heat

The timing of the reported merger highlights the pressure the sweepstakes casino industry is facing.

Last week, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831). The bill, which cleared both chambers with unanimous votes, would make it a misdemeanor to “knowingly and willfully” operate or support dual-currency sweepstakes platforms in California.

AB 831 received strong backing from several tribal gaming groups. Those include the California Nations Indian Gaming Association and the Yuhaaviatam of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. They argued that sweepstakes casinos threaten the integrity of tribal compacts and consumer protections.

SPGA and SGLA opposed the bill. They argued that the language was too broad and that the bill had undergone rapid amendments. SGLA and VGW, in particular, worked hard to assemble an opposition coalition. That included several organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union.

VGW also struck a partnership with the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation of the Cortina Rancheria tribe. The tribe opposed the bill, claiming it would cut off new revenue opportunities for smaller or rural tribes that don’t operate casinos. Later, three other tribes joined the opposition to the ban on sweepstakes casinos.

Still, the pushback failed to sway lawmakers. AB 831 did not receive a single “no” vote in any House or Senate committees.

Awaiting Newsom’s Decision

The bill now awaits action from Governor Gavin Newsom. He can sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature. If enacted, it will force sweepstakes platforms to exit the nation’s most populous state. According to an Eilers & Krejcik report, it accounts for an estimated one-sixth of U.S. sweepstakes casino revenue.

By merging, SGLA and SPGA likely aim to present a unified front as they push for regulation over prohibition. The newly enlarged SGLA will likely ramp up lobbying efforts in other states that weigh similar restrictions. It would hope to preserve access to a market that has grown rapidly but now faces its stiffest political headwinds yet.