California Legal Online Gambling For 2022

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CA residents voted against domestic sports betting via in-person, online, and mobile sportsbooks on November 8, 2022, defeating Propositions 26 and 27 by a large margin. 

Gambling enthusiasts in the Golden State can enjoy California legal online gambling by accessing legitimate offshore online gambling sites that accept CA residents. The state hasn't officially moved on the opportunity to legalize state-regulated online gaming but will likely be pushed in that direction after several other nearby states express their interest in doing so.

California allows casino gambling at commercial and tribal-owned venues, lotteries, pari-mutuel wagering (i.e., horse racing betting), bingo, and poker, though none of this is available online.

However, players in CA can legally access online gambling by using an international casino service provider operating outside of US jurisdiction. In this guide, we will describe the state and federal laws regarding online gaming and the status of gambling in California, and we will also offer links to the most popular online platforms within the offshore gambling industry.

GAMBLING LAWS IN CALIFORNIA

Lawbook

California's state legislature legalized gambling in several forms but has not approved state-regulated online gambling. California residents can play the lottery, bet on horse races, gamble at tribal casinos (Class II and Class III), play poker and bingo, and access legal offshore online gambling sites.

At this moment, sports betting at a local casino is not allowed in the Golden State, though you can legally bet on sports online at many of the international gambling sites discussed on this page.

Betting On Super Bowl 58 In California

The San Francisco 49ers have made it to Super Bowl LVIII and are attempting to win their sixth Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. If you are located in CA and want to win some money betting on the 49ers, local options are non-existent, thanks to state regulations.

The only way to legally bet on the Super Bowl in California is by joining up with an offshore gambling site. We've gathered our top recommendations here for your convenience, and they've already got loads of Super Bowl odds posted for the Kansas City Chiefs, 49ers, and even the winner of next year's SB.

Is Online Gambling Legal In California?

Local online gambling hasn't yet been legalized or regulated by the state of California. However, there are no state laws that specifically make the act of gambling online at legitimate offshore gambling sites illegal in CA.

Additionally, there are no federal repercussions whatsoever for gambling at these sites. All of the websites found on this page meet the lawful criteria for operating legally within their respective jurisdictions, are located outside of the US and are each very reputable names in the industry.

CA State Facts & Quick Jump Menu

State FactsQuick Jump
State Motto: We Dare Defend our RightsTop Rated Site
State Population: 38.8 MillionCalifornia Casinos
Land Casinos: 69California Sportsbooks
Land Poker Rooms: 90California Poker
Legal Gambling Age: 18Frequently Asked Questions
Projected Year For Legalization: 2025California Gambling News

Best Online Gambling Site
For California Players

Bovada Sportsbook, Poker Room, & Casino
#1 Rated Legal Online Gambling Site For USA Players

The Bovada brand is one of the most trusted among US players, including those in California. They offer attractive online casino welcome bonuses, high-quality services, and performance, and treat their players with respect.

In addition to their online casino, Bovada also offers an online poker room, sportsbook, and racebook. Bovada operates legally inside of Costa Rica, which is one of the most respected governing jurisdictions in the online gambling industry.  They were one of the first online gambling destinations to start supporting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This premium brand has been providing high-end online gambling services to California residents since 2011.

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Site Rating

Bovada $1000
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Compability

Pros
  • Attractive Welcome Bonus

  • Bet all markets from just one account

  • Bovada mobile betting app available

  • Prop Builder & Live in-play sports wagering

  • Hundreds of casino games available

  • Around the clock poker tournaments

  • Operating 100% legally within Costa Rica jurisdiction

  • Accepts credit cards, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum

  • P2P payments via Bovada Vouchers + Bovada MatchPay

Cons
  • Fewer crypto options than many sites

  • Excluded States: NV, NJ, DE, MD

Is It Legal For California Residents To Play At Casinos For Real Money?

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Land-based casino gambling is available throughout the state of California due to the fact that the Gambling Control Act was passed in California in 1997, which provided statewide regulation of the gambling industry. In fact, CA was ground zero for the IGRA, which means that the state is the main reason why tribal casinos exist across the country!

In 2003, a new measure was passed as Proposition 1A that permitted the governor of the state to support gaming compacts with eligible Indian tribes, allowing them to operate multiple casinos apiece, resulting in land-based gambling becoming more readily available in select tribal areas. The following venues are some of the most popular in the state:

  • Rolling Hills Casino Corning
  • Win-River Resort & Casino
  • Graton Resort and Casino

The short list of land-based casinos we provide above has set their minimum ages to either 18 or 21, and the same is true across the board for all 69 Indian casinos in CA. This minimum age difference depends on whether the casino venues serve alcohol or not. If such a venue does serve alcohol, patrons must be 21 to enter and play on the casino floor.

For 18-year-olds looking to enjoy online casino gambling without restriction, legal international online casinos are the only option (as 18 and up Class II casinos don't offer traditional casino games like blackjack, roulette, and more).

Is Online Casino Gambling Legal In California?

At this time, online casino gambling has not been proposed by the state legislature, nor is it included in any legislation currently pending the next congressional session. On the other hand, there is also no state or federal legislation, law, or bill that makes it illegal for California residents and visitors to participate in legal offshore online casino gambling.

Legal California Online Casinos

Below is a list of legal online casinos that our team of specialists has reviewed and approved of as top-rated brands. These brands are operating legally outside of the US, allowing them to legitimately provide services to CA players who are at least 18 years of age.

Our review process is very detailed and effectively eliminates any low-quality, questionable, or undesirable virtual destinations. We only list those select casino websites that we consider to be secure and reliable leaders in the industry.

Legal Online Casinos
That Accept California Players

SiteReviewBonus OfferUSAVisit
Bovada Sportsbook And CasinoRead Review100% Max $3,000Play now
Slots.lv LogoRead Review200% Max $1,000Play now
Cafe Casino LogoRead Review500% Max $5,000Play now
Ignition LogoRead Review100% Max $3,000Play now
Casino Max logoRead Review325% Max $9,750Play now
Cherry Jackpot logoRead Review400% Max $8,000Play now
Roaring 21 logoRead Review200% Max $10,000Play now

Is Sports Betting Legal In California?

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Sports gambling has yet to receive its legal status in the state, with the most recent failure coming with the defeat of Proposition 26 or 27 in November 2022. While gamblers wait for the next effort to legalize domestic sportsbooks in California, legit offshore sports betting sites are accepting CA-based patrons at the age of 18 right now.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal In California?

Domestic sports betting sites are not permitted in California as of March 2024. Currently, there are no state laws that prevent CA-based gamblers who are at least 18 from wagering online at legal offshore sportsbook sites. In addition, no federal laws exist to block Californians from accessing these online destinations.

Legal California Online Sports Betting

The sportsbooks listed in the next section represent the industry's top-rated sports betting sites that are operating legally, hold all required credentials, and are regulated by respected governing jurisdictions outside of the USA. Our team has taken the time to review their legal status, reliability, payout speed, odds, betting line options, and security protocols to deem these the most trustworthy online sportsbook outlets.

Best Online Sportsbooks
Accepting California Players

SiteReviewBonus OfferUSAVisit
Bovada Sportsbook And CasinoRead Review50% Max $1,000Play now
Betonline LogoRead Review50% Max $1,000Play now
BetUS BrandRead Review100% Max $2,500Play now
Sportsbetting LogoRead Review50% Max $1,000Play now
Bookmaker LogoRead Review20% Max $500Play now
mybookie logoRead Review50% Max $1,000Play now
Xbet Sportsbook logoRead Review50% Max $500Play now

Is Poker Legal in CA?

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Poker gambling is permitted with California's casino venues and card rooms all over the state. In fact, CA has far more dedicated poker card rooms than anywhere else in the US! However, the state has yet to move on legalizing state-regulated online poker gambling. Therefore, CA players who wish to gamble online at virtual poker rooms must do so through reputable and legal offshore betting sites.

Is Online Poker Gambling Legal In California?

CA has had extensive talks about state-regulated online poker but has yet to move on the subject. Because of this, we recommend that CA residents and state visitors utilize legitimate offshore poker rooms. No CA state law prevents access to these sites, nor does any federal law have jurisdiction to prohibit their use.

Legal California Online Poker

The following list of online poker sites represents premium brands that are operating legally and are regulated outside the United States. Each has been personally vetted by our team of analysts. These brands provide high-quality software, services, and employ top-of-the-line security systems. These distinct online poker rooms provide a great alternative for California residents who are eagerly awaiting online poker options to emerge in the Golden State.

Top Rated Poker Sites
Open To CA Players

SiteReviewBonus OfferUSAVisit
Bovada Sportsbook And CasinoRead Review100% Max $500Play now
Ignition LogoRead Review150% Max $1,500Play now
Betonline LogoRead Review100% Max $1,000Play now
Sportsbetting LogoRead Review100% Max $1,000Play now

California Gambling FAQ's

Latest California Gambling News

California Sports Betting Removed From Consideration After Tribal Casinos Intervene

The entrance to the Calusa Casino in California

A constitutional amendment that would have allowed for legal sports betting in California appeared to be on … Read more

Some State – Indian Compacts May Need To Be Renegotiated

Baseball on roulette wheel

Sports betting is now technically legal in the US. While this is great news in the progress … Read more

American Indian Tribes Could Affect Sports Betting

National Indian Gaming Commission

The sports betting legalization effort has grown to a nationwide front over the years. Signs are pointing … Read more