Key Moments:
- The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA) has merged into the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA), forming a unified advocacy voice.
- California Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831), which seeks to ban sweepstakes casinos and dual-currency social games, awaits the governor’s signature or veto before 12 October.
- The industry remains divided as large tribal and gaming organizations support the bill, while smaller tribes and gaming operators oppose it alongside SGLA.
Industry Associations Join Forces
The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA) and the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) have officially merged, according to an SPGA spokesperson, to strengthen advocacy for the social gaming market. With this move, the SGPA, launched in 2024 with 10 founding members, will no longer operate independently, as its initiatives transition into the broader SGLA platform. This consolidation comes at a time when the sector faces mounting regulatory pressures and what operators describe as an “existential threat.” The aim is to deliver a “clear and consistent voice” to both state and federal regulators.
When two become one.
“The SPGA is consolidating its efforts with the SGLA. The category is best served by a clear and consistent voice from one group."
— Casino Reports (@casino_reports) September 16, 2025
SGLA’s Expanding Influence
The SGLA, established in May 2025 with support from Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), has quickly become a leading advocacy group for social gaming. Former Congressman Jeff Duncan serves as its head, and its membership spans prominent stakeholders such as ARB Interactive, the owner of Publishers Clearing House, as well as PLAYSTUDIOS and Yellow Social Interactive. The SGLA operates with four foundational values: free-to-play gaming, responsible gameplay, player protection, and enforcing age-restricted platforms. With the merger, SPGA members will now operate under these guiding principles.
Response to California’s Legislation
This unification follows a collaborative lobbying campaign against California’s AB 831, a bill that seeks to outlaw sweepstakes-style social casinos and dual-currency games with cash-like rewards. The bill has received unanimous approval from both chambers of the California Legislature, passing the Assembly by a 79–0 vote earlier in the week. It now awaits a decision from Governor Gavin Newsom, who must sign or veto it before 12 October, or it will become law via pocket signature.
“It is incredibly disappointing that the California Assembly decided to pass AB 831,” Duncan said after the vote. “This bill will worsen economic disparities among California tribes, push the state backwards in terms of digital innovation, and strip $1 billion out of the state’s economy.” Unless vetoed, the bill will automatically become law via a pocket signature.
Continued Industry Divide
Support for AB 831 has been strong from several tribal and gaming organizations, such as the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and the Sports Betting Alliance. Conversely, a number of smaller tribes in California have aligned with the SGLA against the legislation, arguing that it threatens innovation and vital revenue sources for non-casino gaming operators.
Final vote today for AB 831 was 36-0. All the whining and sniveling from the Moron Twins – SPGA & SLGA – did absolutely nothing. They could have stayed home and had the same results. Now we’re discussing a second line of attack. This thing far from over. #disgorgement — Victor Rocha (@VictorRocha1), September 9, 2025
The contentious debate has resulted in heightened rhetoric, with tribal advocate Victor Rocha referring to the SPGA and SGLA as “the moron twins” in a recent social media post, emphasizing the polarization of opinions in the industry.
Final vote today for AB 831 was 36-0. All the whining and sniveling from the Moron Twins – SPGA &SLGA – did absolutely nothing. They could have stayed home and had the same results. Now we’re discussing a second line of attack. This thing far from over. #disgorgement
— Victor Rocha (@VictorRocha1) September 9, 2025
Future of Industry Representation
With the dissolution of the SPGA’s independent operations, SGLA will continue as the singular advocacy voice for social gaming providers. The SPGA, since its inception in 2024, had focused on promoting advocacy, enhancing compliance, and establishing safeguards for its members, including two committees dedicated to player safety and regulatory oversight.
In a statement to industry media, an SPGA spokesperson said, “The SPGA is consolidating its efforts with the SGLA. The category is best served by a clear and consistent voice from one group. We’re proud of what our members have accomplished and look forward to the continued leadership of the SGLA.”
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- Author
Daniel Williams
