California betting apps are not legal yet. While several initiatives have been proposed, CA bettors are still waiting.
Here's the latest on California sports betting:
Status: | Not Legal |
Alternatives Allowed: | Horse Betting, DFS |
Alternatives Not Allowed: | Online Casino |
Despite potentially having one of the biggest sports betting industries in the U.S., California has not yet legalized sports betting. Sports betting online in California is currently illegal under California Penal Code section 337a. The law’s wide reach covers online betting on all sports or games of skill.
Still, that doesn't mean that we won't see any legal online sportsbooks arrive at some point.
Whenever it does become legal, California will likely adopt regulations and restrictions similar to those of other legal sports betting states:
In 2022, two propositions were added to the California state ballot: Prop 26 and Prop 27.
Prop 26 would have allowed in-person sports betting at California's 60+ tribal casinos but no online sports wagering. Prop 27 would have allowed online sports betting to be run by tribal casinos and several national operators.
Both propositions failed, with 70% of voters rejecting Prop 26 and 83% rejecting Prop 27.
There are no new initiatives to legalize sports betting on the 2024 state ballot, as the latest efforts failed to gain support from tribal leaders. At this point, it wouldn't be until 2026, at the very earliest, that online sports betting could be legalized in California.
Legal sports betting is expanding rapidly across the United States—could California be next? Regulated sports betting tends to move in groups of states at once.
For example, Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon now have legal mobile sports betting, leaving California isolated on the West Coast.
Gamblers living near the state borders in California can easily cross into one of those neighboring states armed with their mobile phones and place bets. That means the State is missing many tax dollars.
We predict California sportsbooks will follow the model in other states like Nevada and Arizona. In-person registration won’t be necessary, although tribal casinos may require you to be on casino property when you place bets. If external operators are allowed access to the California sports betting market, it could mean legal mobile betting from anywhere in the state.
California online betting sites could become a reality. Many top sports betting apps are maneuvering to become the first to go live.
Here’s who we expect to be at the front of the line when California's online sports betting laws go live:
Why DraftKings could be coming to California: It’s no secret that DraftKings is keen to enter California's new sports betting industry. DraftKings has been one of the national operators that back online sports betting initiatives in the state.
Whenever DraftKings CA goes live, customers will have access to a choice of markets, a top-tier welcome DraftKings Sportsbook promo, and one of the best sportsbook rewards programs in Dynasty Rewards.
Why FanDuel could be coming to California: Like DraftKings, FanDuel is one of the biggest daily fantasy sports providers in the U.S. It also offers a successful online and mobile sportsbook in many regulated states.
FanDuel offers thousands of markets in all major U.S. sports, such as baseball, hockey, and tennis.
In addition to lucrative welcome FanDuel Sportsbook promo, you can take advantage of lots of special offers throughout the season.
Why BetMGM could be coming to California: The MGM brand needs no introduction; BetMGM Sportsbook is the jewel in the crown of its parent company, Entain. BetMGM operates an all-in-one sportsbook and casino product across multiple states.
You’ll be able to enjoy a welcome BetMGM Sportsbook bonus code, second-chance bets and the fantastic MGM Rewards scheme.
BetMGM’s all-new mobile app also makes placing bets through your smartphone a breeze. Enjoy enhanced odds on California teams and claim second-chance bets throughout the year.
Why Caesars could be coming to California: Caesars has made a strong entrance into regulated online sports betting in the U.S. after it acquired William Hill. Due to its competitive odds and slick mobile app, Caesars is poised to be one of the best California sports betting sites.
You will be able to enjoy the full range of Caesars Rewards promotions. Start with a welcome Caesars Sportsbook promo code and move into the Caesars Rewards scheme, where you can redeem points at casinos across the U.S.
Sports betting in California will all be about ease of use, available markets, and big bonuses. You’ll be able to get your money in and out safely and quickly while opting into the latest odds boosts and loyalty deals.
California sports betting apps will offer a range of sports betting bonuses and promotions.
Once you’ve cleared a California sports betting welcome bonus, you can continue to enjoy California sportsbook promos, like odds boosts on selected sports. CA betting apps will also let you enhance your own wagers with a profit boost.
Look out, too, for rewards programs. These are special schemes for regular gamblers to earn bonuses in return for claiming loyalty points.
You can make easy deposits at the top California sports betting apps. Use a debit or credit card such as Visa and MasterCard to make secure payments every time.
You can also apply for a branded prepaid card, the perfect alternative to traditional debit cards. You can use a secure eWallet, such as PayPal, and traditional bank payment options.
Shopping local? Visit your nearest 7-Eleven and make a sportsbook deposit in cash with PayNearMe. Some retail sportsbooks in California may even let you deposit in person at the kiosk.
Good betting in California will be about finding helpful features to make your gambling journey more enjoyable. All available betting markets will be clearly displayed in the lobby, search functions, and your personal "Favorites" tab.
California sports betting sites will offer a range of added features, such as cash out and same-game parlays. You can cash out your bet early before the game finishes or make a parlay wager with multiple legs from the same game.
If you can’t follow a game using a live stream, the operator will offer a match tracker that displays all current stats on the game. You’ll never miss a beat with up-to-the-minute stats on possession and goal attempts.
The best California betting apps will offer easy sports wagering on the move. Install a mobile app for your iOS or Android smartphone and place bets on the go. Ensure you’re running the latest OS and have enough space on your device. You’ll also need to enable Wi-Fi and Location Services to avoid being shut out.
It’s unclear whether mobile betting will be permitted in retail California sportsbooks only or from anywhere within state lines. However, every good California sportsbook will make mobile betting a breeze.
When picking the best California sports betting sites, consider betting options and odds. Prices should be competitive, and a good selection of enhanced odds on the big games should appear.
You should also have access to systems, parlays, and other combo bets when you gamble.
Customer support can make a difference at a California sports betting site.
You should be trying to find phone support alongside live chat and email assistance. A toll-free phone number may also be available.
There should also be a good Help Center available online or via mobile. You’ll find blogs and articles offering advice on all common queries. Use the search function to find helpful tips on making deposits, unlocking bonuses, or joining a loyalty program.
California sportsbooks will likely be regulated and licensed by the state’s gaming commission whenever the industry goes legal. The California Gambling Control Commission oversees licensing on all aspects of gaming in the Golden State, including poker and tribal casinos. Online sports betting in California will also fall under its purview.
You should only bet at legal and licensed California sportsbooks when they go live. While illegal offshore sites exist, there is little protection in case your funds are stolen.
The best California sports betting sites will assist with problem gambling, including resources and helpline numbers.
California sports bettors will have access to a huge range of markets, including:
Based on what other states accept as payment methods, these are the banking options you can expect in California:
You can deposit cash into your online sports betting account instantly. Open the cashier tab online or on your mobile and select one of your preferred payment methods. Enter the amount you want to deposit, plus your account password.
California sports betting sites will allow cashouts as well as deposits. You may be restricted to a limited range of cash-out options, such as online banking and prepaid cards. Typically, credit cards won’t be eligible for a withdrawal request.
You’ll have access to thousands of markets when sports betting in California. Bet on your favorite sports, from football and baseball to hockey and college sports. You can even enjoy UFC betting on the big fights.
It’s unclear whether college basketball betting sites or college basketball betting sites will be permitted in California.
NFL betting sites will easily be the most popular markets in California. CA sportsbooks will offer you plenty of opportunities, offering hundreds of pregame lines.
Plus, you'll enjoy Super Bowl betting in California with many bonuses and special odds.
NBA betting sites promise to bring lots of fun to California.
Bet the winner of the game or the margin of victory. You can bet on team and player props for specific outcomes during a single game. You can also find full odds on every game in the NBA Championship.
Baseball will be a big business for MLB betting sites in California.
Bet pregame or live as the game happens. You can even follow all the action live via graphic match visualizers.
Californians will hopefully be able to use NHL betting sites soon.
Bet the puck line, moneyline, or total points on your favorite NHL teams. Top California sports betting sites will carry prices on the night’s games, including markets on the top scorer and scorer of the next goal.
The LA Lakers play in downtown Los Angeles and have been based there since 1960. Their 17 NBA Finals wins rank them second among all teams.
Some of the NBA's brightest stars, including Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James, have donned the gold and purple over the years.
The LA Dodgers also play in downtown Los Angeles and have since moving from Brooklyn in 1958. The Dodgers have won seven World Series titles, ranking them sixth among MLB franchises.
Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson famously broke the color barrier in pro baseball as a member of the Dodgers. Recently, the Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani to the largest contract in MLB history.
The Los Angeles Football Club, an MLS expansion team founded in 2014, plays at BMO Stadium in the Expo Park area of L.A. Since then, they've won the MLS Cup once and advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League finals twice in a four-year span.
One of the 10 charter teams of the MLS, the LA Galaxy are based in Carson, CA. They are five-time winners of the MLS Cup and have seen all-time greats like David Beckham and Landon Donovan play for the squad.
Founded in 1993 as an expansion team, the Anaheim Ducks play at the Honda Center in Anaheim. The Ducks have won one Stanley Cup in team history.
The San Jose Sharks began playing in the NHL's Western Conference in 1991. Though they have not yet won any Stanley Cup titles as a franchise, they have one conference championship and one Presidents' Trophy win.
The LA Kings have played in the greater Los Angeles area since 1967. They've won two Stanley Cups in franchise history, though neither of them came while Wayne Gretzky (aka "The Great One") was a member of the team.
The San Francisco 49ers have played in SF since 1946. The Niners are tied for third-most Super Bowl wins of all time with five. Hall of Famers Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Jerry Rice led the team to all five victories throughout the 1980s and '90s.
Though you can't bet on them within the state, we track San Francisco 49ers odds at Gambling.com.
The LA Chargers have played in Inglewood since 2017, playing in San Diego for 56 years prior. The Chargers are one of the NFL franchises without a Super Bowl win.
Though you can't bet on them yet within the state, we track Los Angeles Chargers odds with Gambling.com.
The LA Rams have moved back and forth from Los Angeles to St. Louis throughout their history. Since 2016, the Rams have played in Inglewood. They've one two Super Bowls, one representing St. Louis and one representing Los Angeles.
Though you can't bet on them yet within the state, we track Los Angeles Rams odds with Gambling.com.
Parimutuel horse racing betting sites are permitted in California. You can place pooled bets at racetracks in the Golden State and off-track wagering facilities that accept bets.
Some Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) websites also let you bet on parimutuel markets remotely. Five tracks in California offer betting on races. The California Horse Racing Board regulates wagering.
California doesn’t have specific laws governing daily fantasy sports. Many of the best daily fantasy sports sites offer their services to players in the Golden State.
Choose your team and players with a budget and score points based on their performance. You can enter real-money contests and win prizes at the best daily fantasy sports sites.
California's biggest daily fantasy sports sites run regular big-money promotions yearly. Alongside weekly prize contests, there are one-match competitions and even season-long contests that reward the long-term pickers.
DraftKings DFS is the industry leader in daily fantasy sports and offers big-money contests to players across the state. You can form fantasy teams on everything from football to basketball and even enter paid contests covering eSports.
DraftKings offers various fantasy games, from the Classic Salary Cap, where you can win big cash prizes, to Head-to-Heads. Take on a pal in a one-on-one test of your fantasy sports picking skills. DraftKings will also match you up with a player of a similar level so you aren’t completely outmatched in a contest.
FanDuel DFS is one of the biggest providers in the United States. FanDuel offers an interesting mix of weekly and daily drafts across sports such as football and baseball. You can also take advantage of big welcome bonuses when you sign up.
Like DraftKings, FanDuel offers beginner and intermediate contests, so you don’t have to compete against an expert. New players can also take advantage of Live Snake Drafts. You take turns drafting a team with fellow competitors with the reversed pick order to make it fair. Snake Drafts are available for multiple sports, such as baseball, football, and basketball.
Monkey Knife Fight DFS operates in dozens of states, including California. They have won numerous awards for their DFS output, particularly where amateur fantasy sports players are concerned.
Monkey Knife Fight offers a host of easy-to-play fantasy contests, such as More or Less, where you simply go higher or lower on a player’s point spread. You can also enter special 2nd Half contests on selected sports.
As with other DFS operators like FanDuel and DraftKings, Monkey Knife Fight makes it easy to avoid playing against pros. Plus, you can take advantage of having no salary caps on many contests.
WinView is a new prediction-based fantasy sports site that’s shaking up the way fantasy sports are played. With WinView, you can predict events that occur during televised games. For example, you make simply "Yes/No" predictions on props during a game (e.g., "Will the next batter score a home run?"). You have a shot at sharing prize cash if you guess correctly.
WinView offers free and paid fantasy contests for most televised sports. You can win cash by answering five pregame props before the action begins. In addition, WinView offers a range of ongoing promotions, such as $25 bonus rolls to $1,000 tournaments.
Online California sports betting sites will adhere to responsible gambling practices. You’ll have access to various problem gambling hotlines and support networks.
We recommend the California Council on Problem Gambling, which offers free 24/7 counseling via text and hotline.
Follow our top five tips for a safer gambling experience: