Highlights
- McLuck will no longer be available in California
- Sweepstakes casinos will be banned under bill AB 831
- Hard Rock Jackpot Planet is a solid McLuck alternative for CA players
McLuck is a popular sweepstakes casino and, with traditional online casinos being restricted, the brand has been a viable alternative for players in California. Instead of cash, games are played with two virtual currencies. Gold Coins for entertainment only and Sweeps Coins for the chance to redeem real prizes.
However, with the passage of bill AB 831, sweepstakes sites operating in the Sunshine State will be banned from January 1, 2026. In this guide, we’ll update you on the current legislation and provide some viable McLuck alternatives you can still legally sign up with as a player in California.
First Things First - What’s Happening with Sweepstakes Casinos in CA?
Sites like McLuck are popular among Californian players since these sweepstakes sites provide a viable gaming alternative to traditional online casinos which have been banned in the state for quite some time. Instead of real cash, you’ll play games using two types of virtual currencies. These are usually called Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC). While GC are used to play just for fun, with SC you have the chance to play promotional games and redeem real world prizes such as cash and gift cards.
Now, here’s the bad news. With the passage of bill AB 831 sweepstakes sites will be banned in California from January 1, 2026. The bill passed the Senate and the Assembly earlier in the year and was signed into law by Governor Newsom in October 2025. As such, platforms like McLuck that operate on a dual virtual currency system and offer prize redemptions to players will have to cease operations in the Sunshine State or risk heavy penalties or fines. In fact, many popular sites have already closed shop ahead of the deadline.
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet - Our Recommended McLuck Alternative
Naturally, many of you will be wondering whether it’s still possible to enjoy playing casino-style games in California at all. The answer is yes – although there are some restrictions to keep note of. Since sites using a dual-currency system will be banned, only true social casinos that operate on only a single virtual currency remain accessible in CA. That said,
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet
is one such platform. The social casino app features a decent library with over 250 casino-style games from reputable software providers as well as exclusive Hard Rock Originals. Signing up as a new player will net you 100,000 Gold Coins to start and you can take advantage of daily bonuses and cases to keep playing.
1000% Extra on First Purchase
Closing Thoughts – Why You Should Consider McLuck Alternatives As a CA Player
Sweepstakes casinos may no longer be an option for players in California, but single-currency social casinos remain an excellent alternative to popular sites like McLuck and Stake.us. Hard Rock Jackpot Planet stood out during our review and you can try the site for yourself by signing up via one of the links on our page and claiming the 100,000 GC welcome offer. The social casino app boasts over 250 casino-style games as well as a smooth user interface and plenty of ongoing promos as you keep playing.
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