Social Gaming Leadership Alliance appoints Sean Ostrow as Managing Director

The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) has named policy strategist Sean J. Ostrow as Managing Director, tasking him with leading government affairs and advocacy efforts for the online social gaming sector.

Ostrow will oversee lobbying and public policy work on behalf of companies offering social games with sweepstakes-style promotions, engaging with lawmakers and regulators to advance what the group describes as responsible innovation and appropriate oversight. He will report to the SGLA board of directors and work alongside Executive Director Jeff Duncan, a former U.S. congressman.

"Sean brings a rare combination of deep policy expertise and on-the-ground advocacy experience that will be invaluable to our mission," said Jeff Duncan. "His track record of building coalitions and navigating complex legislative environments will help the SGLA strengthen its understanding of this industry and ensure responsible innovation continues to flourish."

Ostrow previously advised entertainment, sports, and gaming clients as a strategist with law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, where he supported the Sports Betting Alliance and worked with Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the PGA Tour. He also served as Manager of Government Affairs at FanDuel, helping pass fantasy sports laws in multiple states.

"Online social games with sweepstakes represent a creative, accessible, and thriving form of online entertainment, yet its story has been misunderstood," said Sean Ostrow. "I'm honored to join the SGLA in advancing a fact-based conversation about this dynamic industry and in working with policymakers to ensure adults can continue to enjoy these games safely and responsibly."

The SGLA describes itself as supporting regulatory frameworks that treat social gaming as an entertainment-first category of the digital economy. Its membership includes operators, software developers, and payment providers across the social and sweepstakes sector.

The association is stepping up its lobbying efforts as multiple US states take action against the social casino model. Earlier in the week, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831) into law, officially banning online sweepstakes gambling across the state. The move makes California the 17th U.S. state to take legal action against sweepstakes casinos.

The decision drew opposition from the SGLA, which argued that the ban could cost California over $1 billion in annual economic activity and result in hundreds of millions in lost tax revenue.