Best California Online Sportsbooks, Apps and Bonuses | California Sports Betting Launch

Online sports betting in California may be coming in 2022 or 2023. With several initiatives being proposed for the November 2022 election, online betting on NFL or NHL could be a reality come 2023. One thing's certain, the best sports betting sites are already eyeing the state. Let’s look at how California sports betting could look when it finally goes live.

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Latest California Online Sports Betting Updates

Sports betting is not the only unregulated gambling activity in California. The same applies to California online casinos. You won't be able to find any of them, at least not before California gambling gets regulated.

Available Daily Fantasy Sites in Californa

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 how they perform. You can enter real-money contests and win big prizes at the best daily fantasy sports sites.

The biggest daily fantasy sports sites in California run regular big-money promotions throughout the year. Alongside weekly prize contests, there are also one-match competitions and even season-long contests which reward the long-term pickers.

DraftKings DFS

DraftKings DFS is the industry leader in daily fantasy sports and offers big-money contests to players across the state. DraftKings is also eyeing up legal sports betting when California finally goes live. You can form fantasy teams on everything from football to basketball and even enter paid contests covering eSports.

DraftKings offers a range of different 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

Together with DraftKings, FanDuel DFS is one of the biggest DFS providers in the United States. FanDuel offers an interesting mix of weekly drafts 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 butt up against an expert. New players can also take advantage of Live Snake Drafts. You take turns drafting a team with fellow competitors with the pick order reversed to make it totally fair. Snake Drafts are available for multiple sports such as baseball, football and basketball.

Monkey Knife Fight DFS

Monkey Knife Fight DFS operates in dozens of US 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 DFS

WinView is a new prediction-based fantasy sports site that’s shaking up the way fantasy sports are played. With WinView you make predictions on events taking place 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 also win cash by answering five pregame props before the action begins. In addition, WinView offers a range of ongoing promotions such as $25 freerolls to $1,000 tournaments.

California online betting sites could become a reality by 2023. Many of the top sportsbook operators are maneuvering in 2022 to become the first to go live. Here’s who we expect to be at the front of the line when California online sports betting laws go live.

• Expected Welcome Bonus: Deposit Match up to $1,000
• Best for: Rewards program
• Review: DraftKings sportsbook

It’s no secret that DraftKings Sportsbook is keen to enter the new sports betting industry in California. The operator is among several US sportsbooks to back the online sports betting initiative for the November 2022 ballot.

If and when DraftKings CA goes live, customers will have access to a choice of markets and one of the best sportsbook rewards programs in town. Earn Dynasty Rewards points and redeem them for perks such as cash and free bets.

In addition, DraftKings runs one of the best sportsbook welcome bonuses in town. Sign up and claim a deposit match bonus when you fund your account for the first time.

• Expected Welcome Bonus: Risk-Free Bets
• Best for: Welcome bonus
• Review: FanDuel sportsbook

Sports betting in California wouldn’t be complete without FanDuel. Like DraftKings, FanDuel is one of the biggest daily fantasy sports providers in the US. However, it also provides a successful online and mobile sportsbook in many regulated states.

FanDuel offers 1000s of markets on all major US sports such as baseball, hockey and tennis. You can also bet on California sports teams and go for the home side.

In addition to a big risk-free bet welcome bonus, you can take advantage of lots of special offers throughout the season. Cash out before the game finishes, earn regular free bets and refer a friend to earn bonus cash. No wonder FanDuel will be set up as one of the top legal sportsbook websites for California residents.

• Expected Welcome Bonus: Risk-Free Bets
• Best for: User-friendly lobby and app
• Review: BetMGM Sportsbook

The MGM brand needs no introduction and BetMGM is the jewel in the crown of its parent company, Entain. BetMGM now operates an all-in-one sportsbook and casino product across multiple states. You’ll be able to choose California from the list of eligible states from start-up and enjoy risk-free bets and the fantastic BetMGM Rewards scheme.

BetMGM’s all-new mobile app also makes it a breeze to place bets through your smartphone. Enjoy enhanced odds on California teams and claim risk-free bets throughout the year. BetMGM will certainly be one of the best online betting sites in California when it goes live.

• Expected Welcome Bonus: Risk-Free Bets
• Best for: Strong mobile sportsbook app
• Review: Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars has made a strong entrance into the regulated online sports betting in the US after their acquisition of William Hill. The mobile app still uses William Hill software but there is an added bonus: you will be able to enjoy the full range of Caesars Rewards promotions.

Start with a risk-free bet and move into the Caesars Rewards scheme where you can redeem points at casinos across the US. But what about the sportsbook itself? Well, Caesars is primed to be one of the best betting sites in California due to competitive odds and a slick new mobile app for download.

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 in to the latest odds boosts and loyalty deals.

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  Betting Bonuses and Promotions

  Betting apps in California will offer a range of sports betting bonuses and promotions. Start your journey with a welcome bonus that includes free bets or risk-free wagering.
  Just download a mobile sportsbook app or sign up and make a deposit. You may also have to enter a special bonus code when registering. Then, make a first qualifying wager in order to claim a risk-free bet, free bet or bonus cash.
  Once you’ve cleared a California sports betting welcome bonus, you can continue to enjoy odds boosts on selected sports. Sportsbooks will also let you enhance your own wagers with a profit boost.
  Look out too for sportsbook rewards programs. These are special schemes for regular gamblers who can earn free bets and other bonuses in return for claiming loyalty points.

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  Safe, Easy Payments

  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: it’s the perfect alternative to traditional debit cards.
  Along with traditional bank payment options, you can use a secure and anonymous e-Wallet such as PayPal. 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.

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  Great Betting Features and Software

  Good online sports betting in California is about finding helpful features to make your gambling journey happier. All available betting markets will be clearly displayed in the lobby along with search functions and your own personal Favorites tab.
   In California, legal betting sites will offer a range of added features such as Cash Out and same-game parlays. 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 sportsbook will offer a match tracker which displays all current stats on the game. You’ll never miss a beat with up-to-the-minute stats on possession and goal attempts.

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  Mobile Betting Apps Experience

  The best California betting apps will offer easy sports wagering on the move. Simply install a mobile app for your iOS or Android smartphone and place bets on the go.
  It’s unclear whether mobile sports betting in California will be permitted in retail sportsbooks only or from anywhere within state lines. However, every good California sportsbook will make mobile betting a breeze.
  Start by installing a California legal betting app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Ensure you’re running the latest OS and have enough space on your device. You’ll also need to ensure you have Wi-Fi and Location Services enabled to avoid being shut out.

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  Competitive Odds and Betting Options

  For the best sports betting sites California has to offer, look no further than their range of betting options and odds. Prices should be competitive, and there should be a good selection of enhanced odds on the big games. You should also have access to systems, parlays and other combo bets when you gamble.
  You may even be able to request your own prices direct from the sportsbook! The Request-a-Bet option is becoming more common at US sportsbooks. Don’t see a price you want on the sports betting site? Simply email or tweet the sportsbook and ask for bespoke odds just for you!

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  Helpful Customer Support

  Customer support can make the difference at a California sports betting site. You should be trying to find phone support alongside live chat and email assistance. A toll-free phoneline may also be available and adds to the overall experience.
  There should also be a good Help Center at the sportsbook, available online or via the mobile app. Contained within 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.

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  Licensed and Regulated

  When will sports betting be legal in California? Whenever the industry goes legal, California sportsbooks will likely be regulated and licensed by the state’s gaming commission. 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 remit.
  You should only bet at legal and licensed sportsbooks when they go live in California. While offshore sportsbook sites are currently available to Californians, there is little protection in case your funds are stolen. In addition, the best betting sites in California will provide assistance on problem gambling including resources and helpline numbers.

Is Sports Betting Legal in California?

Despite having potentially one of the biggest sports betting industries in the US, California still stubbornly refuses to legalize it. Sports betting online in California is currently illegal under California Penal Code section 337a. The law’s reach is wide and covers online betting on all sports or games of skill. Still, that doesn't mean that we won't see any legal online US sportsbooks arrive to the state at some point.

When will California betting launch?

There have been many attempts to set up a California sports betting market in recent years. The crunch date is November 2022 when Californians go to the polls to vote on a range of ballot measures. Online sports betting proposals must be put forward before June 25 to qualify for November’s ballot. They must also receive the required number of signatures to be approved.

Who will be able to bet on sports?

It’s likely that California will follow the lead of other US states that have already legalized and regulated sports betting.

• Gamblers must be 21 or over
• Must have a valid ID
• Must have a valid Social Security Number (SSN)
• Geolocation tools / GPS enabled

California Legal Sports Betting Timeline

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.

• NFL Betting in California

  NFL is easily the most popular market for sports betting in the US. CA sportsbooks will provide you with plenty of NFL betting opportunities, offering hundreds of pregame lines on the night’s games where you can back the winner or bet the spread and total points. Plus, you'll enjoy Superbowl betting in California with a host of bonuses and special odds.

• NBA Betting in California

  NBA betting will be a lot more fun once the sports betting becomes legal in CA. Bet the winner of the game or the margin of victory for the Los Angeles Lakers. You can even 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.

• MLB Betting in California

  Baseball is big business for the California sports betting sites. Bet on the MLB pregame or in-play as the game takes place. You can even follow all the action live via the graphic match visualizer.

• NHL Betting in California

  Californians will be able to get in on the NHL betting action in the near future. Bet the puck line, moneyline or total points on the LA Kings or your favorite NHL teams. The top California sports betting sites will carry prices on the night’s games including markets on top scorer and scorer of next goal.

• NCAA Betting in California

  It’s unclear whether college sports betting will be permitted in California. Potential California sports betting markets on college games will likely include NCAAB (college basketball) and NCAAF (college football). Bet on individual games or winners of the big end-of-season playoffs.

California sports bettors will have access to a huge range of markets.

• Moneyline: A bet on the outright winner of a game. Choose between odds on the underdog and favorite or bet the tie in eligible sports.
• Point spreads: The spread is a bet on the underdog or favorite after a point handicap or advantage has been applied pregame.
• Totals: Back the total number of points or goals in a game, regardless of who wins. Bet on team totals, quarter/half totals or individual player tallies.
• Parlays: A parlay is a wager containing multiple bets. Each bet must win for the whole parlay to come in.
• Futures: The futures bet is a wager on the season or championship winner. You can place futures wagers days, weeks or months ahead of the event.
• Prop Bets: A prop bet is a wager on an individual event unconnected to the result of the game.
• Live Betting: Bet in-play on games as they take place. Bet on the next touchdown or goalscorer, or place wagers on the winner of each quarter and half.
• Prohibited Bets: Some markets may be excluded for sports betting in California, including politics, eSports and some college sports.

Is Online Horse Betting Legal in California?

Parimutuel betting on horse racing is permitted in California. You can place pooled bets at racetracks in the Golden State and offtrack wagering facilities which accept bets.

Some Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) websites also let you bet on parimutuel markets remotely. There are five tracks in California that offer betting on races. Wagering is regulated by the California Horse Racing Board.

Top Teams to Watch Right Now:

• Los Angeles Lakers

  The LA Lakers are a leading NBA basketball team who originally competed in Minnesota. They won the NBA Championships most recently in 2020 after winning the Western Conference.

• Los Angeles Dodgers

  The LA Dodgers are a team who compete in Major League Baseball (MLB). They won consecutive West Division titles from 2013–2020, following up their last win with a triumph in the 2020 World Series.

• Los Angeles FC

  Los Angeles FC compete in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. They were established in 2014 and won the Western Conference in 2019. They are yet to win their first MLS Cup.

• Anaheim Ducks

  Founded in 1993, the Anaheim Ducks compete in the Western Conference of the NHL (National Hockey League) and were originally set up by Disney.

• San Jose Sharks

  The San Jose Sharks also compete in the Western Conference of the NHL. They boast six division championships, the most recent coming in 2010-11.

• Los Angeles Kings

  The Los Angeles Kings are one of California’s oldest hockey teams. They were founded in 1967 and have won the Stanley Cup twice (2011-12 and 2013-14).

• San Francisco 49ers

  The 49ers were founded after World War 2 and have gone on to win five Super Bowls and 20 conference championships.

Betting Bonuses We Expect to See

California wagering sites and apps will be bursting with sports betting bonuses to attract new players. Start with a welcome bonus, then enjoy retention bonuses and loyalty programs.

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  Free Bets

  Many CA sportsbooks will offer free bets for new signups and existing customers. Make a deposit and use your free bets on any sport as long as they meet the minimum odds requirement.

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  Risk-Free Bets

  A risk-free bet works a little like a free bet. You must make a deposit and a first qualifying real-money wager. If the bet loses you receive a refund to the same value in the form of free bets.

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  Deposit Bonus

  The sportsbook will match your first deposit 100% with bonus funds. You then use your bonus funds on eligible sports markets and keep your winnings once you’ve met the wagering terms.

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  Odds/ Profit Boosts

  The odds boost is a good way to enjoy enhanced prices on selected sports. Boosted odds are usually available for a limited time only. You can use a profit boost on any bet of your choice.

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  Parlay Insurance

  With parlay insurance, you can earn a refund if one of your parlay legs loses. You receive a refund in the form of a free bet which you can use on any sport of your choice.

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  Loyalty Rewards

  Join a loyalty program and earn points every time you place real-money sports bets. Use your points to purchase bonuses in the online store or redeem them for cash.

1. Click on one of our banners to direct you to a California sportsbook.
2. Alternatively, download a mobile sportsbook app and install it on your smartphone.
3. Make an account by creating a username and password. You’ll also need to enter some personal details such as your name, address and date of birth.
4. Enter an exclusive bonus code to claim your welcome bonus. This can include a free bet to get you started.
5. Enter the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN).
6. Upload any supporting documentation, such as a scan of your US passport or driver’s license.
7. Log in, open the cashier tab and make your first deposit. You’re now set to go!

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Online bank transfer
• Prepaid card
• PayPal
• PayNearMe
• Check
• VIP Preferred (ACH/e-Check)
• In-person deposit at retail sports betting outlet

Making Deposits

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.

Making Withdrawals

California betting sites will allow cashouts as well as deposits. You may be restricted to a limited range of cashout options, such as online banking and prepaid card. Typically, Visa and MasterCard won’t be eligible for a withdrawal request.

While the rollout for online sports betting in New York has taken some time to gain traction, it's built up a serious head of steam over the past few months. In the following timeline, we'll take a look at the key events that have helped shape the future landscape for legal sports betting and legal online US sportsbooks in the state.

State Betting Compared to Other States

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 all now have legal mobile sports betting. That leaves California isolated on the west coast.

Gamblers living near the state borders in CA can easily cross into one of those neighboring states armed with their mobile phones and place bets. That means a lot of tax dollars being missed by the State of California.

We predict that California sportsbooks will follow the model seen 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.  

Regulated Californian betting sites could be live soon in the Golden State. We outline some of the differences between unlicensed and regulated sportsbooks to keep you safe.

Regulated Sportsbooks

Offshore Sportsbooks

Follow our top five tips for a safer gambling experience.

1. Play at Reputable Sportsbooks
We recommend you only bet with sportsbooks that are licensed in the Golden State and open to California residents only. That way you can be sure the sports betting sites are regulated and have proper customer support for CA players.

2. Always Set a Budget
Sensible bankroll management is an essential part of sports betting in California. Never bet more than you can afford to lose and always plan your stakes sensibly.

3. Read the Bonus Terms & Conditions
Sportsbook bonuses are a great way to earn extra cash. Always read the terms and conditions to ensure you understand any wagering requirements.

4. Understand Your Bets
Online sportsbooks offer a massive range of bet types and markets. It’s easy to place a bet without understanding how the market works. That could easily lead to missed opportunities and losing bets. Most California betting sites will offer help pages showing you how each bet type works.

5. Open Accounts with Multiple CA Sportsbooks
There’s nothing to stop you setting up an account at more than one online sports betting site. It’s a good way to take advantage of multiple welcome bonuses and the most competitive odds.

Sports Betting in California Summary - Top Things to Know

1. Sports betting in California is not legal. The November 2022 ballot will include questions on legalizing sportsbooks.

2. You will need to be 21 or over to bet on sports in California.

3. California’s tribal casinos may end up owning licenses for sportsbooks in the Golden State.

4. CA sportsbooks will let you bet on major US sports and some college sports.

5. You can claim a welcome bonus when you open your CA sportsbook account.

California Sports Betting FAQ

Responsible Betting in California

Online sports betting sites in California will adhere to responsible gambling targets. You’ll have access to an existing range of problem gambling hotlines and support networks. We recommend CALPG.org (California Council on Problem Gambling), which offers support via text and hotline. Free counselling is available 24/7.