On this page, we’ve compiled an in-depth summary of the current state of online gambling in CA, touching on various topics from the legality of gambling in the state to current regulatory debates. We’ve also compiled a list of safe and secure online casinos for California residents that you can view below, which have all been in business for 10+ years with no issues. If you’re looking for a legal, safe, and trusted California online casinos, you’re in luck!
California is one of nine states exploring legalized sports betting in 2020, according to the American Gaming Association, a lobbyist group that represents the U.S. Casino industry. Beyond that, California is completely ambiguous because there is no State law that would serve to explicitly prohibit players from gambling online, (operators would be doing something illegal under California State Law) but lower levels of Government than the State itself could enact Legislation making such an act illegal. California residents can enjoy a large choice of casinos games but not online. Betting on horses is allowed, both on-track and recently online as well. Lottery betting is big business in CA with a number of regular draws and scratch-cards.
Online gambling hasn't yet been legalized or regulated by the state. However, there are no state laws that specifically make the act of gambling online at licensed offshore destinations illegal in California. In fact, there are no federal repercussions either for gambling at these sites.
What Are the Top Real Money Online Casinos in California?
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California is known for being a trendsetter when it comes to most industries in the United States. It’s no surprise that legalized online gambling in California has grown far ahead of many other locations in the United States.
Is It Legal To Gamble Online In California
Why These CA Online Casinos Are The Best
They Offer Legal, Trusted Gambling Games to Residents and Visitors
The entire reason you’re probably here is to figure out which online casinos offer services to California residents. You’ve probably heard mixed answers about the legality of online gambling in California and, therefore, are not sure where you can and cannot play.
Because of that, the number one trait that makes California online casinos great is simply the fact that they offer services to California residents and visitors!
Just because an online casino says it services US customers does not mean it is a good fit for California gamblers. In order for us to recommend an online casino to you, we need to know for sure that it services California gamblers.
They Offer Games Californians Love to Play
What good is an online casino if it doesn’t have the games that Californians love to play? We’ll answer that question for you—it’s no good at all. The California online casinos that we’ve recommended offer an extremely wide variety of games, including favorites like blackjack, craps, roulette, three card poker, keno, slot machines, pai gow, sic bo, and more! If you’re looking for an easy way to play your favorite gambling games for real money in California, check out one of the recommended online casinos from the up-to-date list at the top of the page.
They Have Banking Options That Work Fast
Not every banking option works everywhere in the world. There are specific banking options that work better and faster for California residents. When we’re analyzing the quality of California online casinos, we ensure that they have several high-quality online casino banking options that work great for Californians.
While we don’t need tons of options, we do want to see at least a couple of great deposit options and a couple of great withdrawal options. You’re only going to need one, but we want options just so you have a better chance of seeing an option that is a great fit for you.
The Ultimate in Convenience
The entire point of using online casino sites is to provide convenience. California is an extremely spread out state in some areas, which means you may be hundreds of miles from the closest land-based casino. Additionally, that land-based casino might not offer the games you want to play. This is where online casinos come in. The idea of an online casino is to solve these problems and bring convenience to players across the state.
But this convenience goes away if the online gambling site doesn’t set things up properly. It should be super simple for you to create an account, make a deposit, find the games you like, play, and withdraw your winnings. If any of these things aren’t super simple, we’re not interested in the site and you won’t see those California online casinos recommended on this page.
Is Online Gambling Legal in California?
These days, the United States is one of the more confusing countries in the world when it comes to online gambling laws, with dozens of states having different rules and nuances of how they treat the topic. When it comes to California, it is perhaps the unique exception. There are currently no specific regulations that explicitly prohibit online gambling for residents of the state.
Because of this, Californians have little worry when it comes to playing online casino games, and currently, there are a number of trustworthy sites offering online casino games, sports betting, and poker across the state.
There is no specific law or set of laws making it illegal for CA residents to play casino games online but, as is the case in most of the United States, there are no laws regulating the industry either.
Unlike the state lottery, casinos that operate online are not subject to any sort of government scrutiny and, in many ways, can operate without fear of legal ramifications. For this reason, many bills have been proposed with the end goal of legalizing and regulating the online casino industry in the state.
Up to this point, however, any and all legislation aimed at legalizing and regulating online casinos has either stalled or has been flat-out rejected.
What Does This Mean for You?
There are two important takeaways you should get from this. One, it is not illegal for you to gamble online in California. You are free to play the games you want for real money without fear of negative repercussions. Two, the market is unregulated, which means that you will not have some of the added protections and oversight you would get in a regulated market.
This makes it that much more important that you choose to gamble online in California. The good news for you is that casinos make a lot of money. For them to continue making money, they have to continue having happy customers that are getting the entertainment value they desire. If they are not operating reputably and taking care of their customers, word will get out, and their cash cow is going to dry up. This places a huge incentive for online casinos in California to do things the right way as if they were being regulated.
Still, not every online casino follows that mindset. There are some California online casinos that only look at the short term and don’t care about their long-term sustainability. Because of this, it is also important that you take advantage of resources like this site to help you determine where the best casinos online are. If you want to ensure you’re betting with one of these reputable sites, stick to the recommended list we’ve provided at the top of the page.
The Future of Online Gambling in California
Despite what has been a mostly fruitless endeavor up to this point, experts believe that California is one of the next states that will establish legalized intrastate online casinos. Each year, it seems as though a larger number of bills for the complete and total legalization and regulation of online casinos gets put into circulation.
It is only a matter of time until one of them is signed into law. With that being said, online gambling sites are what many would consider to be the least of California’s governmental problems. With almost constant drought, severe debt, and many other issues on hand, it becomes difficult for activists to convince politicians and voters alike that establishing an online casino network is something that should be done soon. Many efforts have been made, and only few have succeeded.
The fact that the California government does not oversee them does not mean that the California online casinos which offer their games are not trustworthy. These casinos are regulated abroad and most are very reliable; you just have to sign up with time-tested ones with stellar reputations. To help you with choosing a legal CA online casino to play at, we have reviewed and researched dozens and recommend the best online casinos for California residents at the top of the page.
Legal Status of Brick and Mortar Casinos — California
In California, there are plenty of brick-and-mortar locations all over the state. One thing that all of these casinos have in common, however, is that they are all Native American-run and almost always located on Native American land. This sounds like a rather conservative policy for an otherwise liberal state, but the wider scope of gambling and casinos in California is not as restrictive as it may first appear. Of course, this all depends on where you reside in the United States.
The land-based casinos in California usually offer all the classic favorites such as slots, roulette, keno, baccarat, blackjack and the like.
While California law does not allow for casino games like roulette and slots to be played off Native American land, it does facilitate the playing of poker games such as Texas Hold ‘em and Omaha.
Card rooms—as they are known in California—number in the tens of dozens and seem to be growing in number all the time. Poker is the dominant offering of California’s card rooms, however, blackjack variants and other more obscure games can be found being played as well. Basically, so long as the game is centered around playing cards, the rule of thumb is that it can likely be found at a card room. Naturally, some card rooms are better than others, and thus, the offering of one card room is never equal to that of another.
Additionally, if you play non-poker, gambling-type games in one of these card rooms, you’ll notice that the “bank” or who you are playing against will actually be another player at the table who is being paid to be there. It’s a confusing system and clearly a workaround for the state laws, but the outcome is the same. You are able to play your favorite games without fear of negative repercussions.
There are brick and mortar, Native American-run casinos all over the state, however, online gambling is still the easiest way to play any and all casino games at any time of day. When it comes down to it, someone who is looking to play casino games in California will either have to do so at CA online casinos or on Native American land. As you might have guessed, this predicament means that online casino play in California is quite widespread. It’s this common knowledge that is driving the push to legalize and regulate real money online casinos.
In recent years, pro-casino activists have lobbied politicians to promote and/or vote for bills to expand the way in which Californians can gamble at brick-and-mortar sites, but most of those efforts have so far been for naught. This is interesting, too, because California is historically one of the more liberal states in the country. Some of the largest land-based casinos currently operating in California include the following:
Local California Land Based Casinos
Casino | Address | Phone |
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Pechanga Resort & Casino | 45000 Pechanga Parkway | (877) 7112-WIN |
Cache Creek Casino | 14455 CA-16 | (800) 452-8181 |
San Manuel Casino | 777 San Manuel Blvd | (800) 359-2464 |
Thunder Valley Casino | 1200 Athens Avenue | (916) 408-7777 |
Viejas Casino & Turf Club | 5000 Willows Road | (800) 847-6537 |
Morongo Casino Resort | 49750 Seminole Drive | (800) 252-4499 |
Pala Casino Resort | 11154 Highway 76 | (877) 946-7252 |
Red Hawk Casino | 1 Red Hawk Boulevard | (888) 573-3495 |
Barona Casino & Resort | 1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd | (888) 722-7662 |
Table Mountain Casino | 8184 Table Mountain Rd | (800) 541-3637 |
California Online Casinos and Gambling FAQ
- Abbreviation: CA
- State Motto: Eureka
- Capital City: Sacramento
- Population Estimate: 39.5 million (1st)
- Website: https://www.ca.gov/
What Is the Legal Age to Play at online casinos in California?
In California, the minimum age for participation in lottery games is 18 years old, but one must be 21 to play at the state’s card rooms. Because there are no laws in effect at the present moment, we feel safe saying that one should be at least 21 years of age before they play at California online casinos.
What Are the Best Online Casinos to Play at in California?
If you’re looking for the most trusted, safe, and overall best California online casinos, you’re in luck. Our review team has spent countless hours scouring the web for the top sites. At the top of this page, we’ve included a link of the best of the best to ensure you have the greatest online gambling experience while you’re living in California or visiting the west coast.
Yes, online blackjack is currently legal in California at the casino sites we recommend on this page. All of the operators listed offer many popular variants of blackjack, including single and double deck, Spanish 21, progressive blackjack, and others.
Slots are also completely legal in California and can be enjoyed at one of the many California online casinos. All of these gambling sites offer a wide variety of games such as video slots, reel slots, progressives, and bonus rounds from leading providers.
Why Is Craps (Dice) Illegal in California Land-Based Casinos?
Presently, craps is prohibited in land-based casinos in the state, as regulators feel there is no skill involved in the game and it’s too risk-centric for players. That being said, you are free to play craps online from California without restrictions at sites like Cherry Gold Casino, one of our top rated site.
Similar to craps, roulette is currently banned from land-based casinos in CA, due to the fact there is very little skill involved for players. It’s also viewed as having too high of a house edge against players. There are electronic variants that are available in some land-based casinos in California. If you do want to play the game from inside California state lines, finding an online casino site is the way to go. All of our recommended CA casinos on this page do offer the ability for players from CA to play roulette online, so that’s your best bet if you want to play from within the state.
As is often the case in the United States, depositing funds can vary. Most often, the preferred methods by which you can fund an online casino account is by way of credit/debit card or by bank transfer. Other forms of deposit may be accepted, but these two tend to be the most common. In many online casinos open to California residents, other ways of depositing funds in online casinos include Money Gram or Western Union transfers, as well as cryptocurrency like Bitcoin.
Though you may be able to deposit by way of credit or debit card, it is not likely that California residents will be able to cash out their casino winnings via this method. Instead, you will find that most online casino sites transmit winnings by way of paper check or direct bank transfer. You can usually also request to be paid your casino winnings by bitcoin.
Is Dealing with Online Casinos in California Safe?
If you know that there exists no framework for regulated and legalized online casino play in California, you might be wondering how anyone is able to trust the many sites that offer their services in the state. The fact of the matter is that, while you may not be able to take an online casino to court in California, a small bit of due diligence will lead you to trustworthy, reputable online casinos in California. Plenty of well-respected names in the online casino industry operate in CA, and these are names that can be trusted.Most notably, the online casinos we recommend for California residents have all been operating for many years and have strong reputations to defend. In case of issues, they will resolve them immediately so that their stellar reputations are not sullied. These online casinos also use time-tested technology and reputable casino games, therefore, you can be sure that if you decide to make a deposit in one of these casinos, your depositing process will be safe and secure and the games you will play will be fair and give you an honest chance to win money!
In light of the Supreme Court decision, bettors everywhere want to know if sports betting is now legal in California. The true answer to this question is yes, it is now legal for the state of California to allow residents to bet on sports. But it is only possible right now through online offshore sportsbooks. For land-based and state-licensed sportsbooks, lawmakers will first have to legalize sports gambling and renegotiate the state-tribal compacts that are in place with Indian casinos. The state will also need to determine if card rooms will be able to accept sports wagers. In the meantime, residents can continue to use the legal California sports betting sites that are based offshore.
Is It Now Legal To Bet On Sports In California?
In light of the Supreme Court decision, bettors everywhere want to know if sports betting is now legal in California. The true answer to this question is yes, it is now legal for the state of California to allow residents to bet on sports. That being said, lawmakers will first have to legalize sports gambling and renegotiate the state-tribal compacts that are in place with Indian casinos. The state will also need to determine if card rooms will be able to accept sports wagers. In the meantime, residents can continue to use the legal California sports betting sites that are based offshore.
California is The Land of Sunshine and Opportunity, and residents of California have the opportunity to gamble at online sportsbooks without fear of prosecution. Californians have pretty easy access to land-based casino gaming, but online sports betting sites are so much more convenient than even a gaming site in your neighborhood that some Californians will always prefer Internet-based sports wagering.
Sports Betting Laws in California
The state of California doesn’t have any laws concerning Internet gambling at all, and it appears that sports wagers placed from within state borders are safe, as long as you are not running an online sportsbook, which would run afoul of existing federal law. You should have no concerns when it comes to legal California sports betting because there are currently no laws on the books. That could change in the future if lawmakers decide to introduce sports betting legislation. There have been some attempts in the past to legalize and regulate sports betting, but they have all failed. But that doesn’t mean that there won’t be more attempts in the future. For now though, there are no California sports betting laws that govern the industry or prevent bettors from wagering at offshore online sportsbooks.
Will I Go to Jail for Online Sports Betting in California?
The short answer is: “No.” Not only have there never been any arrests made in California for online gambling, the state’s penal code doesn’t cover Internet wagering at all, meaning there is no law on the books that California-based online gamblers can break. A recent change in the focus of the 1961 Federal Wire Act indicates that the US government is only interested in cracking down on providers of sports betting, not on California online sports bettors themselves.
Legal Sports Betting Sites For California Residents
All States ex. NY, NJ, NV, DE, MD
Bovada is a legitimate and trusted sportsbook for California residents ready to begin betting on their favorite sports teams. The sports betting site offers a wide range of odds allowing Los Angeles Chargers fans a chance to bet on the game outcomes, point spread, or team and player stats. Players can place future bets which gives you a chance to predict how far a team will go in the postseason or you can use the live betting feature and bet on what will happen in the game while the game is in play.
All States - ex NJ, NV, NY
BetOnline is another popular online offshore sportsbook that offers an easy way to bet on sports. Sports fans in California will enjoy the variety of wagering types to choose from on the site such as points spread, money lines, futures, and prop bets that take the betting experience to another level. With prop bets, bettors can place wagers on things like “what will be the first score of the game?” or “how many field goals will be kicked?”.
All States - ex NJ, NV, NY
A secure sportsbook that is available in California and provides a legal platform for bettors to place wagers on sports is SportsBetting. As a Los Angeles Dodgers fan, betting on SportsBetting can be a lot of fun by betting on live games and placing bets like “Will this game go to extra innings?” or “Will the third batter of this inning strikeout?” while watching the game in real-time. There are also parlay bets that allow you to bet on multiple games and bet lines. MyBookie
All States - ex NJ, NV, NY
MyBookie is another online offshore sports betting site for sports bettors in the state. The sportsbook provides odds on various teams and players of professional sports around the world. MyBookie offers a mobile version of the sportsbook that allows you to go out to eat or even to the game and still be able to place bets and make deposits on your phone. Players commonly deposit funds into their accounts by using e-checks, debit or credit cards, or cryptocurrencies.
All 50 States
Xbet is available for bettors in California when betting on the Golden State Warriors or any other teams. There are many NBA bet lines that cover the draft, regular season, and the playoffs. On top of that, the sportsbook also has international sports, NCAA football and basketball, entertainment, political, and horse racing odds on the site for you to enjoy. You can also place wagers on this wide range of events and games using a mobile device or tablet.
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How Federal Laws Inpact California Sports Betting
Federal laws impact legal California sports betting in many of the same ways that they effect other states. The law that once had the most influence on sports betting was the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). PASPA made it illegal for state governments to establish land-based sportsbooks. The only exceptions were Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon which already had sportsbooks or sports lotteries. On May 14th, 2018, the federal law was ruled unconstitutional and the federal ban on sports wagering came to an end.
The Wire Act of 1961 was one of the first federal sports betting laws but it still has implications today. The law makes it illegal for gambling operators to use wire communications to transmit interstate sports wagers and information related to bets. Though this only included telephones and telegraphs during its enactment, the Wire Act now extends to sports wagers placed over the internet. However, like most laws, it only applies to US-based operators, not casual bettors. This means that although it seems like online sports betting is illegal, it doesn’t actually do anything to prevent you from making your bets on an online offshore sportsbook.
The Unlawful Internet and Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is one of the most misleading federal laws. The name suggests that internet gambling is illegal, but the law does not prohibit any type of gambling. The UIGEA is a banking regulation that imposes special rules for payment processors and banks that handle online gambling transactions. The law is not directed toward bettors no matter how you look at it, and it only effects sports bettors by making some deposit options less reliable than others - i.e. credit cards. The best way to get around this law legally is by using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The legal sports betting age in California is either 18 or 21. As there are no land-based sportsbooks in C.A., online sports betting sites are your best bet. Online sportsbooks will often have their own age requirements – accepting bettors as early as 18 years old – which is perfect for California residents. Always wait until you are of legal sports betting age and verify the requirements before visiting an establishment. Underage gambling is a risk that you should not take, unless you want your account to be suspended or terminated.
Legal Sportsbook Deposits and Withdrawals Available In California
One of the most important aspects of online sports betting is being able to make legal deposits and withdrawals. Legal California sports betting sites will always offer several convenient methods that bettors can use to move money around their accounts. Bitcoin is the best banking method that sports fans can use. The digital currency is decentralized, meaning that there is no central bank to decline your payment. Transactions are 100% guaranteed, whether making a deposit or requesting a withdrawal. Online sports betting sites do not charge fees for using bitcoin, and deposits are applied to our account almost instantly. When requesting a withdrawal, your funds will reach your wallet in as little as 5 hours.
Other legal deposit methods include checks, bank wire transfers, and gift cards. You can learn more about the banking options that specific sites provide by reading our legal online sportsbook reviews.
How Can I Tell If An Online Book Is Legal and Regulated?
All legal California sports betting sites will have their credentials outlined on the site. Many times, there will be certification badges at the bottom of the home page, or, you can find information in the “About Us” section. You may also find regulatory details within the site’s terms and conditions.
Are Mobile Sports Betting Apps Available in California?
Mobile sports betting apps are legal in California, with many residents preferring this flexible option while they are on the go. Online sportsbooks will offer a mobile platform that allows you to take your sportsbook to the bar, the office, a game, or anywhere else. You have access to the same wide selection of sports and wager types that you would from the desktop site. Instead of having to download a separate app, you can visit the online sports betting site from the browser on your smartphone or tablet and be directed to their responsive website. The mobile-optimized sportsbook saves you the time and space of having to download a traditional app.
Is It Legal To Bet On Live Games In California?
Simply the best games. Live betting is one of the most exciting features provided by online sportsbooks- and it is completely legal. You can watch major sporting events like the NBA Playoffs and bet live on Golden State or any of your other favorite teams. Live betting odds are available throughout the game and you can bet props, moneylines, and totals. When you want the most interactive sports betting experience, wager on live betting odds.
Can You Legally Bet On Politics In California?
Legal California sports betting sites offer something for everyone, including entertainment and political betting odds. The political betting industry may see the most action near election time, but you can start betting on United States and European political events before votes are cast. In the Props & Futures section, you will find a wide selection of betting odds including who will win the Presidential Election, which political party will take office, and much more.
Pro and College Teams in California to Bet On
Legal California sports betting action is exciting because there are more pro and college teams to bet on than just about anywhere else. The Golden State has long been considered a sports mecca, and residents of the state will not be disappointed when they explore the different California teams to bet on at online sportsbooks. If we were to provide a full list it would be 20 + teams long, so we will provide you with some of the most popular CA teams to bet on.
College
- UCLA Bruins
- USC Trojans
- Stanford Cardinal
- UC Berkeley Golden Bears
Professional
- Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA)
- LA Chargers (NFL)
- LA Lakers (NBA)
- Oakland A's (MLB)
- Oakland Raiders (NFL)
- San Diego Padres (MLB)
- San Francisco 49'ers (NFL)
- San Francisco Giants (MLB)