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Legal Online Sports Betting California

4/13/2022
Legal Online Sports Betting California Rating: 3,5/5 6986 votes

Although the state is home to some of the world’s biggest major sports league teams, there is currently no legal California sports betting. However, there are many gambling industry stakeholders and lawmakers pushing to bring in-person and mobile sports betting to the state, so legal online sports betting in California may come soon.

  • Right now, land-based sports betting is not legal in California, as the state has yet to implement any local laws establishing the rules and regulations for the pastime. There are a few hurdles when it comes to establishing a local sports betting industry in CA, too.
  • The reality is that sports betting could be legalized in November 2020, in November 2022 or by neither date in a worst-case scenario. The two November dates allude to elections where the state’s voters would have their say on a constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting in California under one of the two aforementioned initiatives currently being considered.
  • Current legal online betting options in California consist of daily fantasy sports and horse racing betting. In-person gambling options include a large number of tribal casinos, horse racing tracks, cardrooms and the state lottery. Best California Betting Sites.
Legal Online Sports Betting California

The state stands to have the country’s largest legal sports betting market based on population and the highest number of professional teams. Yet, experts don’t believe California will have legal.

As we only recommend players sign up for trustworthy and licensed bookies, we don’t have any sports betting sites to recommend Californians at the moment. Instead, we’ve used this guide to discuss the gambling options that are available in the state, the current laws around sports betting, and the future outlook for the industry.

What Betting Options are Legal for California Residents

Contents

  • What Betting Options are Legal for California Residents
  • Frequently Asked Questions

While there is no California legal online sportsbook or in-person betting options, residents still have plenty of other gambling options to enjoy. This includes full-scale casino-style gambling at tribal casinos, including table games and slots, a state lottery, horse race betting, and daily fantasy sports.

Is Daily Fantasy Legal in California?

For those wanting to try a good alternative to sports betting, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is almost the only form of legal California online gambling. We say almost because the state neither defines it as legal or illegal, and fantasy sports operators are free to offer the games to Californians without fear of breaking the law.

DFS in CA is offered by a number of operators, including the reputable sports betting sites FanDuel and DraftKings. We recommend trying either of these trusted sportsbooks for DFS as they are the most popular, and allow players to form and wager on fantasy lineups of players from all major sports leagues.

Are there Legal Offshore Sites for California Players

Without an opportunity to sign up for a California legal online sportsbook, many players are turning to offshore betting sites to place bets on sports. As the state doesn’t block residents from using these sites or explicitly ban them, players accessing websites like MyBookie and BetOnline will not be punished for offshore betting.

But just because they are accessible, this doesn’t mean it’s recommended. The problem with these websites is that they are not licensed, and so are therefore not guaranteed to be acting in the best interests of players. Without these regulations that demand bookmakers are safe and fair, players may be at risk when using unlicensed products.

Casinos

CA has a number of world-class tribal casinos that offer the very best in casino gaming. These include classic and video slot machines, table games such as poker, blackjack, and roulette, and more. Many of these casino resorts don’t just offer gambling, but are holiday precincts that provide great entertainment and dining options.

In fact, California is the birthplace of legal Native American casinos. The Supreme Court decision to allow gambling on tribal reservations concerned a dispute between the California government and the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. The Cabazon Indians were victorious and now, more than 30 years later, there are 69 tribal casinos in the state.

Racetrack Betting

Until there is legal online sports betting in CA, residents may be interested in gambling on legal horse racing. The state is home to a number of horse racing tracks, though players are not limited to wagering onsite. There are plenty of off-track betting parlors that take wagers on live races around the country.

Horse race betting is a profitable industry that has earned the state millions since it was first introduced. California is a major hub for these races and is home to the Santa Anita Racecourse and Del Mar Race Track. In some respects, it’s quite similar to sports betting, as it involves wagering on the outcome of a live sporting event.

Card Rooms

Fortunately for poker fans, card rooms are permitted in California, with most being on tribal reservations. There are 69 card rooms in the state, many of which host poker tournaments. This has rendered California as being one of the premier states for hosting professional poker.

Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting

Just because in-person sports betting and legal online sports betting in California is not available, there is no law that forbids players from traveling to other states to wager on sports legally. Fortunately, California sports betting is near to be legalized. This includes the state of Nevada, which is the undisputed mecca of sports betting in the US, if not the world.

Below, we’ve listed three of the closest states that offer legal sports betting that would be well worth a visit.

  • Nevada
  • Oregon
  • Washington

What would Legal Sports Betting in California Look Like

If sports betting was legalized in California, it is expected that the state would become one of the largest sports betting markets in the country. This may not come as a surprise, as some of the most popular teams from every major sports league call the state home, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Francisco 49ers.

Currently, there are a number of political initiatives to bring sports betting to California. A popular initiative is headed by a union of the state’s tribal groups, who wish to be granted exclusive rights to offer sports betting at their casinos. This would mean that no mobile betting would be allowed.

The issue of gaming exclusivity and limiting sports betting to in-person betting has been contested by some non-tribal interests, so the matter is still up in the air. Once it has been resolved, a state gambling authority will be established to oversee the rules and regulations of the industry.

This kind of regulation is important to both players and the state. Licensing bodies ensure that the safest betting sites provide a fair betting experience while protecting at-risk players. Licensing also sets tax rates to profits on gambling, so state coffers will benefit from revenues currently leaking to illegal offshore sites.

What are the California Gambling Laws

California is different from many states in that it does not make gambling in general illegal or legal, but rather makes individual kinds of gambling illegal. As it stands, the gambling industry is hugely profitable for the state. For example, in 2018, card rooms alone generated more than $850 million payouts after deductions.

Native American gambling also turns over around $8 billion a year. For this reason, California gambling laws aren’t too rigid but constantly evolve with the times. Whenever a bill to change the gambling laws is passed by the government, residents must approve of the measures in a statewide ballot.

This process ensures that Californians always have a say in what gambling options they believe are worthy of legalizing. The fact that most gambling options are legal in the state reveals that residents are open to more betting options as long as they are safe.

Legal Online Sports Betting California Petition

Betting TypeLaw
Sports BettingNot Legal
Online Sports BettingNot Legal
Online CasinoNot Legal
PokerLegal
Racetrack BettingLegal
California Gambling Age18+ for horse racing, lotto & DFS, 21+ for casino

As the table shows, all forms of legal online sports betting in CA aside from DFS are not legal. However, poker is completely legal in California and has been for more than a century. Racetrack betting too is a popular pastime, though declining attendance has signaled that bettor’s attitudes are shifting.

California’s laws require that players must be over 18 to gamble. However, tribal casinos only allow players above 21 years of age to gamble, as alcohol is served there.

What is the Future of Sports Betting in California?

When it comes to California sports betting, we think it’s pretty safe to assume that legalization is a near certainty. This all comes down to money; with the state being the largest market for DFS in the country, it’s highly likely that it would become one of the most successful legal sport betting states.

When this will happen will just come down to a matter of how the tribes and government agree to regulate the market. For the time being, Californians will need to travel to a nearby neighboring state to place legal bets, or just stick to the huge range of legal gaming options at their disposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have more questions about California’s gambling market and whether or not there are legal sports betting options available? Keep reading to discover our answers to commonly asked questions so that you know all you need to before you consider trying to bet on sports.

Is online gambling and sports betting legal in California?

Sports betting is illegal in California, while online gambling is limited to DFS betting. Even when sports betting is made legal in the state, it’s quite likely that Californians will need to travel to tribal casinos or racetracks to make bets in person.

What is the California legal gambling age?

The minimum gambling age for gambling in California is technically 18, though almost all tribal casinos require that players are above the age of 21 years old.

Are offshore bookmaker sites legal and safe?

The only way players can be sure that they are betting at a safe website is if it is licensed in the jurisdiction they are playing in. As offshore bookmakers aren’t licensed, they may not meet strict requirements that ensure that they aren’t scamming players or targeting younger or problem players.

Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in California?

While there is no legal California sports betting app, both DraftKings and FanDuel can be downloaded to make daily fantasy sports bets. California has the largest market of DFS bettors in the country, and these apps are the most popular due to their sleek design, reputation, and betting options.

0 votes

With a population nearing 40 million people, the largest in the United
States, California is widely considered to have the biggest sporting fan base in
the country. Unsurprisingly, there is a massive number of people here that love
to bet on their favorite sports. Today, our team of experts is here to help you
find the best California sports betting sites currently operating.

There are some truly amazing online sportsbooks available here. To help out
those new to online gambling, we’re listing the most important features to look
for in internet sports betting sites. Later on, we’ll be going over the current
laws and regulations over this popular industry.

Below are five of our favorite California betting sites available
right now. Check them out to see why they’re growing more popular every year.

RankGambling SiteDeposit BonusGet Started
#1100% Up To $2,500Visit Site
#2
MyBookie
50% Up To $1,000Visit Site
#3100% Up To $1,000Visit Site
#4
Bovada Sports
50% Up To $250Visit Site
#550% Up To $1,000Visit Site

Features That All California Sports Betting Sites Should Have

Unlike many US states, California has not yet regulated its online gambling
market. Until it does, players here will need to find safe betting sites that
are based in other areas. Fortunately, this industry here evolved massively over
the years.

The majority of online sports betting sites in California are fantastic. Most
are completely safe and offer a huge range of different betting options. Those
new to internet sports betting may feel overwhelmed trying to choose a site to
play through for the first time. Below are four of the most important things to
look for in an online sportsbook today.

Safe and Easy Payment Options

Safety is, and always has been, the most important thing when looking for a website to bet online in California. A site may offer thousands of
incredible betting odds on every single sport, but if it doesn’t provide you
with safe payment options, it’s not even worth looking at. Fortunately, this is
an easy thing to look into.

One of the best ways to learn more about a website’s payment system is to
head over to our list of
sportsbook reviews. Our team has looked through hundreds of different sports
betting sites over the years. In each review on California betting websites,
we explain exactly which payment options are available. If any sites are caught
charging unusual fees or withholding payments, we’ll let you know about it.

Another easy way to look into a website’s cashier system is to check out the
site for yourself. All of the reputable sports betting sites in California will
clearly list exactly which forms of payment are accepted. Head on up to the
sites we recommend at the top of this page and look into the payment options
provided at each one.

We recommend joining websites that allow deposits to be made using both debit
and credit cards. Most of the online sportsbooks in CA only
allow withdrawals to be made using Bitcoin. Don’t let this scare you! Bitcoin
payouts come with extremely low fees and are processed within just a few days.
Some sites, including
Bovada sportsbook, even have entire pages that explain how Bitcoin payouts
are made.

Nothing is more important than safety when betting online in California. We feel strongly
that the first thing you should always look for in a betting website is a safe
cashier system.

Modern Design and User Interface

Some might argue that the design of an online sportsbook isn’t tremendously
important. We disagree. The style and designs of these websites will affect your
entire gambling experience. Every sportsbook has a different design, and it’s
not easy to say that one is better than another.

Almost every internet sportsbook will allow you to check them out before you
join. We recommend heading over to a few different sites and looking at their
homepages. Check to see that the sites don’t crash, and make it easy to actually
place bets.

As we just mentioned, all of the California betting sites operating
today are different. Some feature busy homepages with hundreds of odds and bonus
offers. Others are simplistic, with just a few odds on major US sporting events.

The most important thing is to find a sportsbook that fits your needs. There
are so many great options available today, so this should be easy! Spend a
little time looking at a few different site designs today.

We want to note that the sites at the top of this page are all well-known for
offering incredible designs. Each has amazing functionality that makes it
extremely easy to find the exact sport you want to bet on.

Great Customer Support System

This is, unfortunately, the most overlooked feature of gambling websites. You
would be surprised to find out how many new bettors sign up to a website without
even looking at which support options are provided. Don’t make this mistake.

The state of California will not be around to assist you if an issue arises
with your betting experience. You will need to rely on the website you play at
to help answer any questions. Today, every reputable online sportsbook will
provide members with a number of different customer service options.

The very best sports betting sites in California will offer
a live chat feature. This allows you to speak directly with a customer service
representative over text. It’s without a doubt the easiest and most convenient
way to seek help while betting online in California.

If the sites you’re looking at only offer an email support option, they are
probably not worth joining. Email support can oftentimes take weeks to actually
answer your questions. Stick to sportsbooks that offer direct customer support
options.

There’s a very good chance that you will never have to utilize the customer
support services of the betting site you join. If, however, you need a question
answered, it’s important to know that the company you are betting through will
have your back.

Wide Range of Betting Odds

Legal Online Sports Betting Usa

You should make sure that the
US betting website
you are looking to join provides a wide range of different betting options.
Generally speaking, the more odds that a site provides to its members, the
better the entire site really is. The best California sports betting websites today
provide thousands of different betting odds every single day.

Do you love the NFL? Find a sportsbook offering betting odds on every single
team throughout the entire season. Are you a baseball fan? Look for a betting
site that provides a wide range of different MLB odds.

It’s also a good idea to compare the odds between a few different websites.
Some sports betting sites in California are known to offer better odds than
others. The better the odds are, the better your chances are to win big!

Many CA internet sportsbooks today provide members with unique betting
options on things such as politics and entertainment. Novelty betting is growing
more popular than ever. If this is something you are interested in, find a
company offering a number of different fun novelty bets!

Much like design, all California betting sites will offer different
odds. We feel that it’s always a good idea to join a betting website that
provides you with a wide range of different betting options every single day.

Why Are Sports Betting Sites in California so Popular?

California is home to many professional sports teams. As you’d probably
expect, many of the sports fans in this state have been searching for an easy
way to bet on their favorite teams for years.

There are many reasons why betting sports online in California is growing so popular. We’ve
asked a number of Californians why they love to place wagers online, and two
reasons come up time and time again.

Easiest and Safest Option Available

Legal online sports betting california law

California legalized tribal casinos years ago. Unfortunately, lawmakers here
have not yet taken the steps to regulate sports betting. It’s unusual, as this
industry would likely bring the state millions in additional revenue every
single year.

For now, California sports betting websites are the safest and easiest option
available. As we mentioned earlier, most of the betting sites operating in this
state provide completely secure payment options to all their members. The only
other option is an illegal bookie!

Huge Range of Betting Odds

The top sports betting sites in California will always offer more betting
options than even the biggest land-based sportsbooks around the country. There
are simply more betting options available online. The huge list of betting
options is a major reason why so many people love to bet on their favorite
sports over the internet.

This doesn’t just include sports. Legit California sports betting sites will
allow you to bet on things like politics, movie outcomes, and more. You can
place bets on just about everything from anywhere in the state with an internet
connection.

Is Online Sports Betting in California Allowed?

For many years, lawmakers in California didn’t even want to talk about the
legalization of sports betting. In 2017, things took a turn. That year, Assembly
member Adam Gray introduced an amendment to California’s constitution to
regulate the sports betting market.

This amendment got much more realistic just a year later. In May of 2018, the
US Supreme Court ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional. This decision now allows
every state to set its own laws on sports gambling. Many sports fans in the
state began hoping California would begin to open this market.

Legal Online Sports Betting California

As of this writing, there hasn’t been much progress made. Sports gambling remains
banned throughout the state. Most analysts predict that this industry will
become legal and regulated within just a few years.

Section 19801 of The Gambling Control Act here states:

“(a)State law prohibits commercially operated lotteries, banked or
percentage games, and gambling machines, and strictly regulates parimutuel
wagering on horse racing. To the extent that state law categorically prohibits
certain forms of gambling and prohibits gambling devices, nothing herein shall
be construed, in any manner, to reflect a legislative intent to relax those
prohibitions.

Based on this text, it would seem that all forms of gambling in this state
are banned unless specifically approved by the state government. Many experts
note that there are no specific laws here that prohibit placing sports bets over
the internet. It’s well-known that California has one of the biggest online
sports betting markets in the world, despite the legality lying in somewhat of a
gray area.

Will I Be Prosecuted for Playing at Sports Betting Sites in California?

It’s extremely unlikely. California has not taken the same anti-gambling
measures that many other states have. There are millions of people here that
make online wagers on a regular basis. We have not come across a single case of
any individuals in this state facing legal trouble for making bets online.

How Do I Stay Safe Betting on Sports in California Online?

Online gambling in the US is generally extremely safe. Even without
regulation, there are very few reports of any players dealing with payment
issues. With that being said, there are some simple steps that everyone can take
to ensure their betting experience is nothing but fun.

Even the best California sports betting sites can’t protect players from
themselves. A few of the best ways to stay safe betting online fall on your own
shoulders. Below are the five most important tips to protect yourself while
playing at sports betting sites in California.

Only Play Through Reputable Betting Websites

The easiest way to stay safe gambling online is to only make bets through
reputable websites. Make sure to take the time to find a website that provides
you with safe payment options and a solid customer support system. If you do
this, there’s a great chance you’ll never encounter an issue while betting
online.

Track How Much You Are Betting

Sports betting is extremely fun. Unfortunately, some players wager more money
than they can actually afford to lose. It’s a common issue that’s surprisingly
easy to avoid. Simply track how much you are spending! If you realize that you
are betting too much money, take a break for a month or two.

Place Wagers on Sports That You Know About

Many who are new to sports betting will instantly begin throwing money on
sports they don’t understand. This is one of the easiest ways to lose money.
It’s always a good idea to only bet money on sports you know about.

Keep Your Betting Account Information Private

This is a no-brainer. You should think of your sports betting account like a
bank account. There is real money on the line, and it’s crucial to keep your
account information private. None of the legit sports betting sites in CA
operating today will ask for your personal account information.

Be Willing to Change Sports Betting Sites

If you follow the steps that we recommend, there’s a very good chance that
you will find the perfect online sportsbook. With that being said, if you
encounter any issues with the site you are playing at, always be willing to move
onto another. There are many incredible California sports betting sites
operating today and one of them will offer the experience you’re looking for.

FAQ on Internet Sports Betting in California

What Are the Most Important Features of California Sports Betting Sites?

It’s fairly easy to spot a good betting site from a bad one nowadays. The
most important features you should look for in a betting site are safe payment
options, a modern design and user interface, solid customer support options, and
betting odds on the sports you want to wager on.

Why Are so Many People Joining Sports Betting Sites in CA?

California, like many other US states, is experiencing a huge surge in online
gambling. Most bettors that we’ve talked to here claim that online sports
wagering
is the safest option available, and it offers more betting odds than
even the top land-based sportsbooks in the country.

Is Online Sports Betting in California Allowed?

California is currently working to legalize and regulate sports gambling.
There are still laws here that prohibit land-based sports betting, yet nothing
in the State Statutes specifically bans placing sports bets over the internet.
Most experts feel that California sports betting sites will become fully legal
within the next couple of years.

How Can I Stay Safe Betting Online in California?

Most of the sports betting sites in California that operate today are
perfectly safe. The best ways to ensure that your betting experience is
perfectly secure are only playing through reputable companies, tracking how much
you are betting, sticking to sports you understand, keeping your betting account
information private, and being willing to change to a different online
sportsbook.

Conclusion

Once California legalizes online gambling, it’s likely to become the biggest
sports betting market in the country. Millions of people are already placing
sports bets over the internet here. With regulation, the state government can
begin collecting taxes on this revenue being earned.

Legal Sports Betting In California

Fortunately, there are some amazing California sports betting sites available
right now. For expert predictions on major sporting events taking place around
the country, head over to our
gambling blog page. Good luck making your bets!