Best Stake Alternatives 2026 – Top Casino Sites Like Stake

Raging Bull, Ignition Casino, Jackspay, DuckyLuck, and Uptown Aces are the strongest stake alternatives for US players in 2026, whether you’re dealing with geo-blocks, frustrated by Stake’s lack of a welcome bonus, or keeping an eye on the ongoing Stake.us lawsuit.

All five accept US players, support crypto banking, and offer something Stake doesn’t: a real upfront bonus. Below you’ll find a full ranked list, a side-by-side comparison table, individual mini-reviews, and dedicated sections on no-deposit options, payout reliability, and more.

Best Stake Alternatives: Top Picks at a Glance

These are the category winners across the full list of sites like Stake we reviewed. Each pick is the strongest option in its lane for US players looking to move on from Stake.com or Stake.us.

Sites Like Stake at a Glance: Comparison Table

The table below covers our favorite platforms from all 19 we reviewed. It gives you the key decision variables in one place: welcome bonus, minimum deposit, crypto support, payout speed, and whether the platform uses a sweepstakes model or an offshore casino model. You can use it to narrow your shortlist before reading the full mini-reviews.

Stake Alternatives Reviewed: What Each Site Does Best

These five platforms earned full reviews based on their bonus value, crypto banking, US accessibility, and overall fit for players coming from Stake. Each review leads with the angle that makes that site worth your time. Read the one that matches your priority and skip the rest if you’re in a hurry.

Best Overall Stake Alternative: Ignition Casino

Ignition Casino’s standout feature isn’t the bonus; it’s the poker room. Anonymous tables with no HUD support make it one of the softest online poker environments available to US players, a meaningful differentiator from Stake’s casino-and-sportsbook-led identity. The welcome offer is a 300% deposit match up to $3,000 on a $20 minimum deposit, with crypto banking that closely mirrors Stake’s core appeal for US players.

The game library is anchored by a notably deep poker offering, with real money slots and table games rounding out the experience. Crypto-first banking with fast withdrawal processing is what sets Ignition apart as the most credible all-around alternative if you value Stake’s friction-light deposit and cashout experience.

A loyalty scheme built around Ignition Miles, earned on every wager and redeemable through a rewards store, rewards variety play beyond the welcome bonus, a structure that suits those who spread action across poker, slots, and table games rather than grinding a single vertical.

The mobile experience is a browser-based, responsive web app that requires no app store download. It’s functional and stable for both poker and casino sessions, though it isn’t as polished as top-tier native casino apps. Live chat and email support are available, with chat well-suited to routine queries.

Best for: US players who prioritize soft online poker and fast crypto cashouts, and don’t need a sportsbook under the same account.

Best for Bonus Volume: Raging Bull

The headline number at Raging Bull is hard to ignore. A 410% deposit match up to $10,000 plus 50 free spins, redeemable up to 4 times on qualifying deposits of $30 or more, with a 10x playthrough requirement on the bonus. That combination of a high ceiling and a low rollover is rare among casino sites like Stake. Use promo code MAXWINS at registration.

The game library is exclusively RTG-powered, giving the lobby a cohesive old-school feel: classic and modern slots, blackjack variants, video poker, keno, and specialty titles. That’s a deliberately different flavor from Stake’s multi-provider, crash-game-heavy catalog. If you’re moving away from Stake specifically because you want a more traditional casino experience, the RTG focus is a feature, not a limitation. The 45% weekly cashback promotion adds ongoing value well beyond the welcome offer.

Banking covers Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDT, Coindraw, Changelly, Bank Transfer, and Check Transfer, a broader fiat-and-crypto mix than most pure-crypto competitors. That said, payout times of 3 to 5 days are slower than the fastest crypto-focused alternatives on this list, and that’s worth knowing before you deposit a significant sum.

Best for: US players who want maximum bonus volume and a traditional RTG slots experience, and are comfortable with a longer payout window in exchange for a higher headline offer.

Best for Low Entry Point: Jackspay

Jackspay’s lowest barrier to entry on this list is its most distinctive feature: a $10 minimum deposit unlocks a 200% match up to $6,000 plus $100 in free chips. That’s a compelling proposition if you want to test a new platform without committing a significant bankroll upfront, a common instinct when switching away from Stake. The platform operates under a Costa Rica license and was established in 2026, making it one of the newer entrants in the offshore US casino space.

The content mix is slots-first, supplemented by table games, video poker, live-dealer titles, and specialty games from established providers. That’s a more traditional casino breadth than a crypto-native sportsbook platform, and it suits those who want a conventional casino experience with modern crypto banking layered on top.

The promotion structure is dense: recurring reloads, cashback, and a tiered VIP program with tailored free chips and higher withdrawal ceilings at upper levels give higher-volume players a predictable rewards path. Banking covers American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Bank Transfer, Check by Courier, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, BCH, BNB, and USDT.

The mobile experience is browser-based and fully playable on smartphones and tablets, described as functional rather than polished compared to more modern crypto-first platforms. Live chat and email support are available. Payout times of 1 to 3 business days are stated, though real-world experiences can vary.

Best for: US players who want to try a crypto-accessible offshore casino with a low minimum deposit and a generous bonus structure, and are already comfortable with the trade-offs of unregulated offshore play.

Best for Free Spins: DuckyLuck

DuckyLuck leads in free spins volume among the platforms we reviewed. The welcome package delivers a 500% deposit match up to $2,500 plus 150 free spins, distributed at 50 per day across three days, a structure that gives you a reason to return to the site daily rather than burning through everything in one session. Wagering is 30x on the deposit match bonus and 30x on free spin winnings, with a $500 max cashout on the match and a $100 cap on free spin winnings.

The game library is RTG-powered and built around familiar player-friendly staples: slots, video poker, and blackjack, with practice-mode availability. The DuckyBucks tier system boosts cashback, reloads, and ongoing crypto rebates for regular players, a rotating promotional setup that includes cashback, reloads, daily spins, and crypto loot drops beyond the initial welcome offer. That ongoing promotion structure is one of the stronger arguments for DuckyLuck as a long-term Stake alternative rather than a one-and-done welcome bonus destination.

Banking is one of DuckyLuck’s genuine strengths: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, BCH, BNB, USDT, Bank Transfer, Check Transfer, and Interac provide you with more deposit and withdrawal options than most comparable offshore platforms.

Payout times range from 1 to 15 days, which is a wide window; the lower end applies to crypto withdrawals, and the upper end reflects bank transfer and check processing.

Best for: US players who want a high free spins count alongside a strong deposit match, and value a broad banking mix that works for both crypto and traditional payment methods.

Best for Reload Culture: Uptown Aces

Uptown Aces leads in ongoing promotion density. The 600% welcome offer is the headline number, accessible on a $25 minimum deposit, but the real argument for Uptown Aces as a stake alternative is what happens after the welcome bonus clears: daily bonuses and a loyalty program active from your very first deposit.

The game library is exclusively RTG-powered, covering slots and table games in a style that will feel immediately familiar to players migrating from other long-standing offshore casinos. There’s no integrated sportsbook and no multi-supplier game setup, which makes Uptown Aces feel narrower in scope than Stake’s multi-vertical platform.

Banking covers MasterCard, Visa, Bank Transfer, Bitcoin, BCH, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Check by Courier, a mix of traditional and crypto options with payouts reported as competitive within the offshore US market when accounts are fully verified. Payout time is 1 to 3 business days.

Mobile play is browser-friendly with RTG titles adapted to smaller screens: solid and functional, better suited to solo slots sessions than community-driven play. Live chat is available around the clock, with generally responsive agents for routine queries.

Best for: US bonus hunters who want a daily promotion culture and a familiar RTG slots experience, and don’t need a sportsbook or crash games under the same account.

Why Players Are Looking for Sites Like Stake Right Now

Stake has real strengths. The crypto-native banking, provably fair games, and low-KYC environment genuinely appealed to a specific type of player. But four friction points are driving a consistent search for online gambling sites like Stake in 2026, and they’re worth naming clearly before you pick an alternative.

• No welcome bonus on Stake.com is the first trigger. Stake.com does not offer a traditional deposit match or free spins for new players. The VIP rakeback structure rewards long-term volume, but if you’re depositing for the first time, you get nothing upfront. Every platform on this list gives you a bonus on day one.
• Geo-restrictions are the second major driver. Stake.com is not licensed in any US state and is not intended for US residents. Many players access it anyway, but the lack of regulatory protection means no state gaming board to which to escalate payout disputes. Stake.us, the sweepstakes version built for US players, operates under a different model entirely and is now facing active legal scrutiny in California.
• KYC friction is the third reason. Stake has tightened identity verification requirements in recent years. Players who valued the near-anonymous play experience find that the current KYC process is more involved than it used to be, reducing one of the platform’s core differentiators. Several offshore alternatives on this list still operate with lighter verification requirements for lower deposit tiers.
• The Stake.us lawsuit is the fourth and most urgent trigger for many readers. In August 2024, the Los Angeles City Attorney filed a lawsuit against Stake.us and related entities, alleging that its sweepstakes casino model constituted illegal, unlicensed online gambling accessible to California residents. As of 2026, Stake.us remains operational and is still being promoted on comparison sites; there has been no confirmed shutdown announcement. But the lawsuit has introduced real uncertainty for California players specifically, and having a backup platform ready is a rational response regardless of how the case resolves.

Is Stake Shutting Down? There is no publicly documented announcement that Stake.us is shutting down nationwide. The LA City Attorney lawsuit targets alleged violations in California specifically; its impact is currently limited to the requested remedies in that jurisdiction. Stake.us was still actively promoted and operational as of mid-2026. That said, California players face a higher uncertainty profile than users in other states, and the platforms on this list provide accessible alternatives that don’t carry the same legal cloud.

Best Stake Alternatives With No Deposit Bonuses

“No deposit bonus” is one of the most searched phrases in the stake casino alternatives cluster, and the reason is simple: players want to try a new platform without risking their money first. The offshore US market handles this differently from sweepstakes platforms, so it’s worth separating the two approaches.

How offshore no-deposit bonuses work. Traditional US online casino sites occasionally offer free chips or free spins on registration without requiring a deposit. These are less common than deposit-match offers, and the terms are usually tighter: lower max cashouts, higher playthrough requirements, and game restrictions that limit you to slots or keno. The value is real but modest; think of them as a test drive, not a bankroll builder.

How sweepstakes no-deposit offers work. Sweepstakes platforms distribute free Sweeps Coins on sign-up, which can be redeemed for cash prizes once a playthrough threshold is met. These are genuinely free; no purchase is necessary under US sweepstakes law. The catch is that redemption minimums and playthrough requirements apply before you can convert Sweeps Coins to cash. Stake.us itself carries a 3x playthrough requirement on its bonus currency, which is relatively low by sweepstakes standards but still a real condition.

What to watch for in no-deposit terms. Three things matter most: the playthrough requirement (how many times you must wager the bonus before withdrawing), the max cashout cap (the ceiling on what you can actually take out from a no-deposit offer), and game restrictions (many no-deposit bonuses exclude table games, live dealer, and video poker). A 50x playthrough on a $10 free chip means you need to wager $500 before seeing a dollar, that’s a very different proposition from a 10x requirement on the same amount.

Among the platforms on our approved list, Wild Casino’s 250 wager-free spins offer (25 per day for 10 days, $10 minimum deposit, $100 max win per day) comes closest to a no-deposit-style structure because the spins carry no wagering requirement on the winnings themselves; only the initial $10 deposit is required.

That’s a meaningful distinction from a standard deposit-match bonus. Vegas Casino Online and Las Vegas both accept $5 minimum deposits, making them the lowest-barrier entry points for players who want to test a platform with minimal financial commitment before deciding whether to deposit more.

Best Free Stake Alternatives: Sweepstakes and Social Casino Options

Users searching for sites like Stake us or Stake.us alternatives are often specifically looking for the sweepstakes version of the platform, not the offshore real-money casino. That’s a different product with a different legal structure, and the alternatives are different too. Understanding the distinction matters before you sign up for anything.

The sweepstakes model explained. Sweepstakes platforms use a dual-currency system: a free play currency (typically Gold Coins) that has no cash value, and a prize-eligible currency (Sweeps Coins or similar) that can be redeemed for cash prizes once you meet the minimum redemption threshold and any applicable playthrough requirement. Under US sweepstakes law, players must be able to obtain the prize-eligible currency without making a purchase, usually via a mail-in request or a daily free allocation on the site. This is what makes the sweepstakes model legal in most US states without a gambling license.

Sweepstakes vs. social casino: A social casino gives you virtual chips to play with but offers no path to real-money prizes. A sweepstakes casino gives you Sweeps Coins that can be converted to cash prizes. Stake.us is a sweepstakes casino, not a social casino. The Stake Cash currency is redeemable for real prizes, which is precisely why the LA City Attorney’s lawsuit argues it functions as illegal gambling. When you’re looking for a stake us alternative, you want another sweepstakes platform with prize-redeemable currency, not a purely social product with no cash-out option.

What to Look for in a Stake Alternative: Payouts, Licensing, and KYC

Casinos like Stake appeal for specific reasons, and the right alternative depends on which of those reasons matters most to you. Here’s the framework we used to evaluate every platform on this list.

Withdrawal Speed: What the Numbers Actually Mean

Crypto is the fastest withdrawal method across all offshore platforms on this list. Bitcoin and Ethereum withdrawals at internationally licensed sites typically process in minutes to a few hours once the casino’s back office approves the transaction. The stated payout windows (1 to 3 business days, for example) usually include the time for the casino to review and approve the request, not just the time to confirm the blockchain transaction. In practice, crypto withdrawals at reputable offshore casinos often land faster than the stated window suggests.

Card and bank withdrawals are a different story. Fiat withdrawals at offshore casinos face two layers of friction: the casino’s internal processing time and the US banking system’s treatment of offshore gambling transactions. US banks frequently flag or decline offshore gambling transactions under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which targets financial institutions processing gambling payments rather than individual players. That’s why crypto is the recommended withdrawal method for US players at any offshore platform; it sidesteps the banking friction entirely.

What does “instant crypto withdrawal” mean in practice? When a platform advertises instant crypto withdrawals, it typically means the casino processes your request immediately without a manual review delay. The blockchain confirmation time still applies; Bitcoin confirmations take roughly 10 to 60 minutes, depending on network congestion; Ethereum and Litecoin are typically faster. Platforms that batch crypto withdrawals on a schedule (daily or twice daily) are slower than those that process individually on request, even if both claim “instant” processing.

Licensing and Jurisdiction

No offshore platform on this list holds a US state gambling license. That’s the baseline reality for any online casino like Stake accessible to US players outside the six regulated states (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware). The licensing jurisdictions you’ll see are Curaçao, Costa Rica, Panama, and Anjouan. Each offers a different level of regulatory oversight, with Curacao and Panama generally considered more established than Costa Rica registrations.

Licensing matters most when something goes wrong. If a licensed US casino delays or denies a payout, you can escalate to the state gaming regulator. That option doesn’t exist for offshore platforms. Your recourse is limited to the platform’s internal dispute process and, in theory, the laws of the licensing jurisdiction, which offer limited practical help for US consumers. This is why payout track record and operator reputation carry more weight than license jurisdiction when evaluating offshore alternatives.

KYC Requirements

KYC requirements vary significantly across offshore platforms. Some require full identity verification (government ID, proof of address, sometimes a selfie) before processing any withdrawal. Others use a tiered approach: small crypto withdrawals may proceed with minimal verification, while larger amounts trigger a full KYC review. Players who valued Stake’s historically light KYC environment should check each platform’s verification policy before depositing, particularly if they intend to withdraw significant sums.

Game Variety: Crash Games, Provably Fair, and Originals

Crash games and provably fair titles are central to the Stake experience for many players, and they’re the category where most traditional offshore casinos fall short. RTG-powered platforms like Raging Bull, Uptown Aces, and DuckyLuck don’t offer crash games or provably fair mechanics. WildCasino is the exception on this list, featuring in-house originals including Mines, Plinko, and Limbo, the closest match to Stake’s Originals catalog among the platforms we reviewed.

Slots are the dominant category across every platform on this list. RTG, Pragmatic Play, and multi-provider libraries give you hundreds of titles across volatility levels, with progressive jackpots available at most platforms. Live dealer tables (blackjack, baccarat, roulette) are available at Mybookie, Bovada, BetOnline, and BetNow among the table-only platforms. Poker is Ignition Casino’s clear differentiator.

Bonus Fairness

Wagering requirements are the most important bonus term to check. A 10x playthrough on a $100 bonus means you need to wager $1,000 before withdrawing bonus-derived winnings. A 40x requirement on the same bonus means $4,000 in wagers. The difference between Raging Bull’s 10x rollover and Mybookie’s 40x rollover is enormous in practical terms, even if the headline bonus percentages look similar. Always check the wagering requirement and the max cashout cap before claiming any offer.

How We Chose These Stake Alternatives

We evaluated 19 platforms against the criteria that matter most for US players moving away from Stake. Here’s what drove the rankings.

Licensing and Track Record

We prioritized platforms with established operational histories and recognized international licenses (Curacao, Panama, Anjouan). Newer platforms with Costa Rica registrations were included where bonus value or accessibility justified it, but flagged accordingly.

Crypto Banking Quality

Stake’s core appeal is crypto-native banking. We assessed each platform’s supported cryptocurrencies, stated withdrawal speeds, and real-world payout consistency. Platforms that support Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and at least one stablecoin scored higher.

Bonus Fairness

Headline bonus percentages mean nothing without wagering context. We assessed the playthrough requirement, max cashout caps, minimum deposit thresholds, and whether the offer is redeemable multiple times. A 10x rollover on a 410% match is genuinely different from a 40x rollover on a 150% match.

US Accessibility

Every platform on this list accepts US players and is accessible in most US states, including California. We excluded platforms that explicitly bar US residents or that have a documented pattern of denying US player withdrawals.

Game Variety

We assessed whether each platform covers the game categories that Stake players care about: slots, table games, live dealer, and, where possible, crash games or provably fair originals. Platforms with multi-provider libraries scored higher than single-provider options.

Payout Reliability

We cross-referenced stated payout windows with available player feedback and operator track records. Platforms with documented patterns of payout delays or disputes were either excluded or flagged with honest trade-off language.

Mobile Experience

All platforms on this list are accessible via mobile browser. We noted where the experience is particularly strong or notably dated compared to modern crypto-native interfaces.

This article is produced with affiliate partnerships. The platforms listed are endorsed partners, and we may earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page. That commercial relationship does not change our editorial assessments; we flag trade-offs and limitations honestly because a reader who signs up for the wrong platform is a reader who doesn’t come back.

Is Using Sites Like Stake Legal in the US?

The honest answer is: it depends on what you mean by “legal.” The two key federal statutes are the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), passed in 2006, and the Wire Act of 1961. The UIGEA targets financial institutions processing gambling payments, not individual players placing bets. It does not make online gambling illegal for US residents; it makes it harder for banks to process the transactions. The Wire Act targets operators transmitting bets across state lines via wire communication, not the players themselves.

The practical result is a legal gray area that has persisted for decades. Offshore internationally licensed platforms operate outside the US jurisdiction, and US players who use them are not typically prosecuted. The 2018 Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA struck down the federal ban on sports betting, opening the door for state-by-state legalization, a process that is ongoing but limited to specific states for online casino gambling specifically.

Online casino gambling is currently regulated and legal in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware. In all other states, real-money online casino play exists in a legal gray area. Offshore platforms like those on this list are accessible but not licensed by any US state authority. That means no state regulator to escalate disputes to, and no consumer protection framework beyond what the offshore licensing jurisdiction provides. This is not legal advice. If you have specific concerns about your state’s laws, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

How to Sign Up at a Site Like Stake

Step 1: Choose Your Platform

Use the comparison table above to identify the platform that best matches your priorities, bonus size, minimum deposit, crypto support, or game type. If you’re a poker player, Ignition Casino is the clear starting point. If you want maximum bonus volume, Raging Bull’s 410% offer with the code MAXWINS is the place to start.

Step 2: Register Your Account

Click through to the platform and complete the registration form. You’ll need a valid email address, a username, and a password. Most offshore platforms ask for your date of birth and country of residence at this stage. Use accurate information, discrepancies between your registration details and your payment method can trigger KYC holds on withdrawals later.

Step 3: Enter Your Bonus Code

If the platform uses a promo code, enter it during registration or in the cashier before your first deposit. Raging Bull uses MAXWINS, Slots of Vegas uses WILD375, Captain Jack uses JACKPOT350, TheOnlineCasino uses MAXOUT300, BetNow uses CASINO200, Las Vegas uses 400BONUS, Mybookie uses MYB150, and Sloto Cash uses SLOTO1MATCH. Codes entered after a deposit is made are typically not applied retroactively.

Step 4: Make Your First Deposit

Select your preferred payment method at the cashier. For US players, Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency is the recommended deposit method; it processes faster, avoids the bank-decline issue that card deposits often trigger at offshore platforms, and typically qualifies for the best bonus terms. Meet the minimum deposit threshold for your chosen bonus: $30 at Raging Bull, $25 at Uptown Aces and DuckyLuck, $20 at Ignition Casino, $10 at Jackspay.

Step 5: Verify Your Account Before You Withdraw

Most offshore platforms require identity verification before processing your first withdrawal. Have a government-issued photo ID and a proof of address document ready. Submitting these proactively, before you request a withdrawal, avoids delays when you’re ready to cash out. Crypto withdrawals still require account verification at most platforms, even if the deposit went through without it.

Responsible Gambling

Gambling should be entertainment, not a financial strategy. Set a budget before you deposit and treat any losses as the cost of the entertainment, not money to chase back. If you find yourself depositing more than you planned, playing to recover losses, or feeling anxious about your gambling activity, those are signals worth taking seriously.

Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) for the National Problem Gambling Helpline, or reach the National Council on Problem Gambling at ncpgambling.org. You can also reach the Gamblers Anonymous helpline at 1-800-522-4700. All offshore platforms on this list allow you to request account closure or self-exclusion. Contact their support teams directly if you need that option.

Stake Alternatives FAQs

Why is Stake shutting down, and should I be worried?

Stake is not confirmed to be shutting down. As of mid-2026, Stake.us remains operational and is actively promoted across comparison sites. The concern stems from the LA City Attorney’s lawsuit filed in August 2024, which alleges that Stake.us constitutes illegal gambling in California. That case is still in progress and currently targets California-specific enforcement, not a nationwide shutdown. California players face more uncertainty than users elsewhere, but there is no publicly documented announcement of a service suspension or closure. Having a backup platform ready is sensible regardless of how the case resolves.

Are there any official Stake sister sites?

“Sister sites” typically refers to casinos operating under the same parent company or using the same back-end platform. Stake.com and Stake.us are related products under the same corporate umbrella but serve different markets under different models, Stake.com is an offshore real-money casino, while Stake.us is a sweepstakes platform built for US legal compliance. There are no other publicly confirmed stake sister sites under the Stake brand. The platforms on this list are independent alternatives, not affiliated with Stake’s corporate structure. They’re competitors, not siblings.

Is Stake available in California, and what are the best alternatives if not?

Stake.com is accessible to California residents but is not licensed in California or any US state, and its terms of service restrict US play. Stake.us is the sweepstakes version designed for US players, but it is currently the subject of an LA City Attorney lawsuit alleging it constitutes illegal gambling in California. California has not legalized real-money online casino gambling, so no state-licensed option exists. The best accessible alternatives for California players are the offshore internationally licensed platforms on this list, Ignition Casino, Raging Bull, and DuckyLuck all accept California residents and support crypto banking that bypasses the card-decline issue common in the state.

What is the difference between Stake.com and Stake.us?

Stake.com is an offshore real-money online casino and sportsbook that is not licensed in any US state. It operates internationally and technically restricts US residents in its terms of service, though it remains accessible. Stake.us is a separate product built specifically for the US market using a sweepstakes model: players use Gold Coins for free play and Stake Cash for prize-eligible play, with Stake Cash redeemable for real prizes once playthrough requirements are met. Stake.us does not require a state gambling license because it operates under US sweepstakes law rather than gambling law, which is also why it’s now facing legal challenge in California, where the LA City Attorney argues the model constitutes illegal gambling regardless of the sweepstakes framing.