Online Betting California

After the repeal of PASPA in 2018, states had the right to decide if they wanted to legalize and how to regulate gambling in their states. Though some states (like New Jersey and Pennsylvania) forged ahead with legalizing sports betting in retail locations and online, California legalities have been slower fought.

Despite having made various attempts to legalize online betting and sports betting in the state, California so far hasn’t been able to. Though CA online sports betting is currently illegal, the potential tax benefits are likely to sway even those most apathetic to gambling.

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. Online Sports Betting In California The online sportsbook is another betting option currently unavailable to those located in California. Folks with legal residencies in states where online sports betting is legal (like Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) cannot place a bet in those states unless they’re physically located within state lines.

California Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

No law in California directly addresses the question of online gambling legality. California law hasn’t quite caught up to technology. This is a common condition in America, and it leads to a lot of confusion among players of Web-based gambling games. California online horse betting has the advantage of offering 24/7 access to domestic and international tracks from any computer or smartphone with an Internet connection, which is something that horse racing betting in CA at land-based tracks simply cannot match. Moreover, California online betting sites usually offer their own racebook allowing pari-mutuel wagering on every major horse race from the Kentucky Derby to the Breeders’ Cup. Plus, most sportsbooks have their own casino featuring poker, live dealers and table games like blackjack and roulette, and virtual slot machines.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is a new way to play on major league sports teams and players. DFS is available in California. Try your sports knowledge skills by playing DFS, read our Monkey Knife Fight review. Play fantasy games by selecting prop contests on a variety sports events like NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL PGA, soccer, and more.

Most Likely CA Online Sports Betting Sites

Though the future of California online sports betting is still up in the air, we can make some educated guesses about what the market will potentially look like. Here are some likely CA online sports betting sites to open in CA after legalization. These are top sports betting sites in other states and have a high probability of gaining access to the California market as future CA online sportsbooks.

FanDuel

FanDuel has both an online sportsbook as well as a daily fantasy app and site. Since fantasy bets are legal in California online sports betting, there is a strong chance that Fanduel will expand once California laws are finally drawn.

Caesars Sportsbook

Since there is a Harrah’s retail casino in California and Harrah’s is owned by Caesars, it is highly likely that Caesars would open a CA online sportsbook once online betting is legalized.

DraftKings

DraftKings are another daily fantasy based site. The success and popularity of this legal form of California online sports betting is a great way for DraftKings to become a California online sportsbook after legalization.

BetMGM

MGM’s largest single retail casino is located in Las Vegas, not far outside the California border. Since MGM already has affiliations with the California Gaming Commission, they could prove a valuable resource and a pretty safe bet for a future BetMGM site.

California Betting Laws

There aren’t currently any laws in California prohibiting online gambling. However, this also means that it is not state sanctioned or regulated. You cannot legally start a gambling business in the state, but technically there are no laws saying you cannot bet online. You will not face any type of prosecution for betting online in California, but you should still be aware of the safety of the sports betting websites you’re using.

States where you can already place an online sports bet today :

Updated on :

Colorado Illinois Indiana Iowa Michigan Nevada New Jersey Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia West Virginia

California Online Sports Betting: Events and Betting Markets

Since the sports industry is so large, the potential for California online sports betting is endless. From types of wagers to the sheer number of California teams to bet on, there will be plenty of options when California online sports betting is legalized.

Common Types of Bets

The wide variety of sports leaves the market open for a ton of innovation in betting styles.

Straight Bets

These are the most common types of bets in the industry. When the betting line is set, bettors decide whether to bet on the favorite or the underdog. If you choose the favorite, you increase your betting odds. However, the favorite has to win the game with a higher number of points than the point spread for you to cash in. If you choose the underdog, they have to win or at least lose by less than the point spread. Therefore, while your betting odds increase when betting for the favorite, so does the burden of requirements.

Total Line Bets

This is also a popular sports bet. It’s also pretty straightforward. A number is set for the predicted combined final score of both teams. Then, you would guess whether you believe the actual total will be over or under that amount. It can often be a bet made for half a game in sports like football or basketball.

Money Line Bets

Mostly used in baseball and hockey, these types of bets can be a risk as they do not involve a point spread. Meaning the amount you have to bet varies whether you choose to bet on the favorite or the underdog. For instance, if the Yankees are favored to win against the Dodgers, you may see the betting odds described like this: Dodgers (+120), Yankees (-135). This means to bet on the Dodgers, you would only need to put down $100 and you could potentially win $120. Whereas, you would need to bet $135 on the Yankees to win $100.

Parlay Bets

These are probably the highest risk bets out there. They involve grouping together multiple bets together and can often be bets that last an entire season. There is very little room for error in these types of bets because you need to win all of your separate bets to see any money.

Teaser Bets

This bet is a bit of a twist on a parlay. It is not as high risk and also not as high reward. Bets are still grouped together like a parlay, but you are able to tweak the point spread in this style of betting. Making it a bit less lucrative and a bit more controlled.

Head-to-Head Bets

These bets are made on non-team sports. In sports such as golf and NASCAR, these bets simply represent which of two competitors will win. Often, a money line will be attached as a way to handicap a race. Though this is a popular betting style, it’s also a hard gamble to make considering the size of the field.

Most Popular Sports to Bet On

• Football (both NFL and college)
• Basketball (NBA)
• Tennis
• Hockey (NHL)
• Baseball (MLB)
• Soccer
• Golf
• Boxing
• NASCAR
• Formula 1

Popular California Events

• Auto Club 400 - this is the only NASCAR event held in Southern California. It’s held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana and usually takes place in March.
• Vans U.S. Open of Surfing - this is known as the biggest surfing event in the world. It’s held in Huntington Beach over nine days in July/August.
• AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-AM- this golfing event started in 1937 with an idea from Bing Crosby. It’s a fun event held in February involving golf professionals and A-list celebrities so it draws a huge crowd of in person as well as at home spectators.
• BNP Paribas Open - held in March, this is the largest international tennis tournament other than the four Grand Slams.
• Sea Otter Classic - known as a “celebration of cycling”, this Monterrey based biking event features a wide range of cycling opportunities.

Best Teams to Bet On

Below is a list of the Major League teams in California. California has nearly twice the amount of major league teams than any other state. All of them present great betting opportunities.

Baseball

• Los Angeles Angels
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Oakland Athletics
• San Diego Padres
• San Francisco Giants

Basketball

• Golden State Warriors
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Sacramento Kings
• Los Angeles Sparks

Football

• Los Angeles Chargers
• Los Angeles Rams
• Oakland Raiders
• San Francisco 49ers

Hockey

• Anaheim Ducks
• Los Angeles Kings
• San Jose Sharks

Soccer

• LA Galaxy
• Los Angeles FC
• San Jose Earthquakes

Common Payment Options

For most states, there are a few common payment methods in online sports betting. Here are some of the more popular options.

• Debit/Credit cards
• Paypal
• Prepaid Cards
• Cash at a retail partner’s sportsbook
• ACH/Wire Transfer

CA Online Sports Betting FAQ

Are sports betting sites legal in the United States?

In the United States, there was a federal ban on sports betting from 1992 to 2018. Known as PASPA, this law made it impossible for states to make their own laws about sports betting. Unless they had been grandfathered in and were already partaking in sports betting before 1992.

When PASPA was overturned in 2018, states regained control of being able to make laws individually. There are legal sports betting sites in the US, however, you should be aware of what state you’re in and what laws apply before betting.

What do I need to register at an online betting site in California?

Registering for an account with most sports betting websites is pretty easy and usually can be done in a couple of minutes. You will have to give your full name, address and date of birth to prove you are at least 21 years of age. You will also have to give an email address as well as some account information like username and password. Additionally, you will have to choose your payment preferences.

Is it safe to deposit money at sports betting sites in California?

Since the California online sports betting market is still unregulated, choosing a top sports betting site with a good reputation for safety is important. The best way to find out whether a particular sports betting website is safe is to do some research. There are plenty of reviews out there for bettors to read and educate themselves with. Choose a website with a good reputation and you should feel very secure about depositing your money.

Can I set betting limits?

Yes. On most betting sites you can set deposit limits, loss limits and transfer limits. This helps you limit your losses and betting liability. You can decide whether you want these limits to apply on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis.

Final Thoughts on Betting in California

Online Horse Betting Sites California

Though it’s still unregulated now, California online sports betting has some great groundwork for legalization. Since other states have been paving the way, there are also some great established online sports betting sites to potentially open in CA. Though California online sports betting is currently all offshore and unregulated, bettor’s look forward to potential future California online sportsbooks. In addition to serving a purpose for vested CA bettors, legalizing CA online sports betting also stands to bring in tons of tax revenue for the state. A win win solution for the state!

While the legal landscape for sports betting in California shows no signs of moving out of the gray zone anytime soon, there are offshore betting options available to residents of the state looking to bet on sports online. Those living in the Golden State and looking for the best California sports betting sites have several high-quality options to choose from.

These options have been servicing CA residents successfully much to the dismay of state legislators for decades. Recent federal laws in support of online sports betting in the state have paved the way for sweeping legislation across the entire US, including way out west.

It’s only a matter of time until CA legislators move to get their piece of upwards of $2.5 billion in tax revenue. Until then, these California betting sites will rule the roost.

Best California Sports Betting Sites

• Bovada – #1 California sports betting site with a very strong reputation.
• MyBookie – Known for it’s great odds and payout speed.
• BetOnline – Very reputable sportsbook with high customer satisfaction.
• BetNow – Newer brand with excellent feedback.
• xBet – A site with a wide variety of bet options.
• Intertops – CA betting site that accepts all players from the state.

3 Reasons to Bet With These California Sports Betting Sites

While the state government battles out what current legislation does or doesn’t imply, plenty of high-quality and trusted offshore California betting sites are waiting to take your business. With multiple options of varying quality to choose from, it’s important for you to choose a safe option that meets your betting needs. What makes the sites we’ve recommended so great? Find out below.

Fast Payouts on Betting Winnings

Just because the California sports betting sites aren’t located on its soil does not mean you should have to wait weeks or months to get paid when you win. All of the betting sites we’ve recommended here quickly pay out winners through traditional methods. Expect to wait only a few hours with cryptocurrency payout options and between a few hours and a few days on more traditional options like e-wallets and bank transfers. Paper checks are also an option, but can take up to a few weeks to receive.

Offering Action on the Sports California Residents Love

We ensure all of the best California sportsbooks we list cover all of the major teams as well as both national and international sports.

Transplants looking to bet on favorite teams from elsewhere in the country or the world will be covered through these options as well.

Safe, Secure, and Time-Tested Operations

Nobody wants to bet on sports online and have to worry about the safety and security of their money. When we choose the best California sports betting sites to include in our listings, we make sure they’re safe, secure, and trusted names that have proven their value over time in the industry.

While these recommended sites are unregulated by the state, most of them undergo regular third-party audits and hold gaming licenses from offshore providers and foreign entities. The bottom line, though, is they have great track records servicing customers from Cali the right way.

The Legal State of Sports Betting in California

In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down parts of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, effectively opening the gateway for states to roll out legalized sports betting.

Is Sports Betting in CA Legal?

Yes, it is legal.

However, sports betting at regulated online betting sites in California is not explicitly stated as legal under state law. The laws surrounding unregulated online sportsbooks servicing the state from offshore locations, however, are in a gray area and many California residents continue to utilize them on a daily basis with no issues.

While many states jumped at the opportunity to bring in additional tax revenue, California has been slow to adopt. Some believe that the power of the federal government would easily override state legislation, while others believe in the contrary viewpoint.

In January of 2020, state legislators met to gain insight from industry experts in an attempt to devise a plan to move forward. While many expected action to ensue following the meeting, this has not been the case.

During the meeting, researchers brought attention to the fact that online sports betting (including mobile betting) could be worth nearly $2.5 billion in annual revenue for California alone. Unfortunately, until the state moves toward sweeping legalization, they’ll have to miss out on those tax profits currently going to offshore sportsbooks.

The biggest question this leaves for residents is whether online sports betting is legal in California. Unfortunately, the answer is unclear and in a gray area.

State-regulated sports betting sites are not currently operating in the state and appear to be illegal based on the language of legislators. But offshore and unregulated betting sites are servicing California residents with no reported issues. To date, there have been no reported legal cases we are aware of that involve any Cali-based bettors having any issues betting online.

For those looking for a clearer answer, you’ll want to contact a California gaming attorney. The best we can tell you from our research is that it’s a gray area supported by federal law, but unsupported by state laws.

Daily Fantasy Sports in California

Currently, daily fantasy sports (DFS) fall into the same territory as traditional sports betting in the state of California. That being said, all major providers servicing other states within the US are open for Cali residents to use. While they don’t have a stated public stance, they do not deny residents of the state from setting lineups, entering contests, making wagers, or collecting winnings.

CA Betting Sites FAQ’s

Are There California Sports Betting Sites I Can Bet With?

If you’re looking for state-run sports betting sites operated by brick and mortar casinos within the state, you’re not going to find any. If you’re comfortable playing at unregulated, offshore establishments, you do have options that have been operating without issues for decades that service residents of the Golden State.

What Sports Can I Bet on at California Online Sportsbooks?

The betting sites we’ve recommended here give users the ability to bet on all major sports, politics, entertainment, horse racing, dog racing, seasonal events, and more. Within each category, the betting sites offer extensive options, including traditional bets, live betting, futures bets, prop bets, and more. Any bet types you’re used to seeing at a brick and mortar casino or sportsbook will be available through these options.

What Options Do I Have for Depositing and Withdrawing Money at Top California Sports Betting Sites?

When it comes to banking, you’ll have plenty of safe and efficient options to move your money on and off a betting site. Each sportsbook will offer different options, but most commonly, you’ll see the ability to use debit/credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, paper checks, and cryptocurrency for both ends of the transaction.

Debit and credit cards may be limited for withdrawals depending on how you initially deposited, and it can depend on the financial integration setup of the betting site. All of this information is posted and readily available and should be reviewed before you make any deposits.

California Sports Betting Online

Is Betting Sports Online in California Safe?

If you’re wagering with trusted and proven safe California sports betting sites, you should have no issues with the safety of your personal information, money, or wagers. Yes, betting sites regulated by the state government would provide more transparency and overall safety, but that’s currently not an option.

Online Betting California Reddit

If you’re looking to bet on sports safely in CA, you’ll want to stick to the books with proven track records of exquisite service to customers. Sites that fit that mold are all we’ll ever recommend.