Online Sports Betting in California – Are Sportsbooks Legal?

California Sports Betting Summary

• Currently not legal after failed November 2022 referendum on the subject.
• Plans to keep pursuing legalization in 2024.
• Best offshore betting sites allow customers in California – this is perfectly legal.
• BetOnline is the number one site to sign up with in California.

Top Sportsbooks Likely to Come to California

For now, the best options for prospective bettors in California are sportsbooks based offshore, which provide so many positives for their customers. However, there are some big brands that have opened up regulated sports betting sites in other states which may well arrive in California soon enough. Here are some of those which are available in other states in the US:

• BetMGM
• BetRivers
• Caesars
• PointsBet
• Sugarhouse
• Unibet

Comparing California’s Best Online Betting Sites

To help you choose the right betting site for you we have summarized our top 10 California sportsbooks into a table showing their sports betting promo codes & bonuses, the number of sports covered, and any live betting or streaming options.

Is Online Sports Betting Legal in California?

Online sports betting is currently not regulated in California. However, our recommended offshore sportsbooks do accept bets from US players.

You must be at least 18 years old, reside in California, and have a method of depositing and withdrawing money in order to gamble with one of these offshore sports betting websites.

Who can Legally Bet on Sports in California?

Sports betting is not regulated in California but you can still place sports bets at the legal sportsbooks we recommend – it’s just that they are based and regulated outside of the US, holding a sports betting license most often in their country of origin (often Curacao or Costa Rica).

You need to meet the legal gambling age requirement of being 18 years old, be physically located in California, and have access to cash to bet with at one of these sites. Take a look at the status of online casinos in California.

How to Bet on Sports Online in California

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to bet on sports in California, from visiting the homepage to placing your first wager. In this example, we will use our top CA sportsbook, Bovada, but the process will be similar for all sportsbooks.

1. Visit Bovada & Click ‘Join’

To begin using a new sportsbook, go to the California online sports betting site of your choice using the links on this page, then look for the “Join” or “Register” option on the homepage and give it a click. In the case of Bovada, you will find a red ‘Join’ button at the top right of the screen on a desktop.

Step 2: Create Account – Enter your personal details

Your name, birth date, mobile number, email address, and zip code will be requested when you click the Join button. This is also where you’ll set your password. You must confirm that you are of legal age to gamble by checking the appropriate box. To finish, select “Register.”

Step 3: Verify Your Account

Verifying your phone number grants you access to all features of your new Bovada account, including the ability to receive a welcome bonus. Bovada will send you a code through an SMS text message that you’ll need to enter into the prompt that appears.

You can always choose to verify later if you’d rather not, but doing so will prevent you from receiving any benefits until you do.

Step 4: Fund Your New Account

When you’re signed into the Bovada site, select the person symbol in the upper right corner and then the red ‘Deposit’ option to make a deposit. This will open up the deposit window where you can choose your preferred payment method.

To claim your welcome bonus, simply follow the on-screen prompts, making sure to use the coupon code BVD1000 in the appropriate box.

Step 5: Start Betting!

You can begin online wagering once you have cleared funds in your account. This is usually instantaneous with most methods. It is a similar process for signing up on Californian sports betting apps.

When will Betting be Legal in California?

Sports betting in California has been a hotly contested issue. The latest bill to authorize retail and online sports betting was vehemently rejected by California voters on November 8, 2022. It garnered less than 20% of the public vote.

As for the future, the earliest we can begin to imagine legal sports betting in CA is 2024, and even that looks unlikely given the social and political strength of the tribes in CA.

Why did Californian Residents Reject the 2022 Sports Betting Bill?

It’s important to remember there were not one, but two propositions that went to public vote in November 2022. Both suffered comprehensive defeats at the ballot.

Proposition 26 was a vote to legalize sports betting at tribal gaming properties across the state. This was a proposition that many thought had a good chance of passing. Proposition 27 was commercially driven, to legalize mobile sports wagering across the state. Pro-sports betting lobbyists attribute the crushing defeat to vehement tribal gaming opposition.

Jason Robins, CEO of DraftKings, argued that tribal opposition would make it very difficult to pass in the future, outlining the sheer marketing spend poured into the ‘anti-commercial’ campaign makes It very difficult to gain a majority.

Another reason that could explain the rejection of Proposition 26 as well as 27 is the potential Californian rejection on simple moral grounds. Shortly after the vote, Anthony Roberts, tribal chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, stated:

“Our internal polling has been clear and consistent for years: California voters do not support online sports betting. Voters have real and significant concerns about turning every cellphone, laptop, and tablet into a gambling device, the resulting addiction, and exposure to children.”

Previous Sports Betting Bills in California

Voters in California overwhelmingly rejected Prop 26 & Prop 27 to legalize sports betting on the November 8, 2022 ballot measures. This dealt a crushing blow to expensive campaigns by Native American tribes and the betting industry which raised almost $460m in marketing costs. Historic efforts in California have been driven primarily by lobby groups in the past, thus looking a little different from most other states. We’ve summarised key historical moments below:

2022:

• Proposition 26: Proposition 26 proposed for sports betting to be permitted at retail locations across tribal casinos and racetracks. It also would have allowed roulette and craps at tribal casinos, but contained no legislation legalizing online CA sports betting . 66.98% of Californians voted Prop 26 down.
• Proposition 27: This proposition would have permitted online sports betting only, and clearly was the commercial operator’s preference. 82% of Californians voted against Proposition 27.

2021

• 21-0009A1: The California Solutions to Homelessness, Public Education Funding, Affordable Housing and Reduction of Problem Gambling Act which paved the way for public voting in the November 2022 ballot.
• California Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act: Identical to the 2020 measure.
• California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act: An initiative put forth by seven established sportsbooks that offers to donate a portion of earnings to organizations that help the homeless and mentally ill.
• Age-Verified Trival Online and In-Person Sports Wagering Act: The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, and Wilton Rancheria submitted the measure, which would permit both in-person and online betting in California.

2020

• California Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act: Proposed by multiple cities in California.
• The California Sports Wagering Regulation and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act: The original date for the summary was January 21, 2020, but this is the tribal casino initiative, which will be on the ballot on November 8, 2022, if it gets the nearly one million votes it needs.

2019

• ACA – 16 (2019)

Sports Betting Apps in California

While few offshore sportsbooks have standalone California sports betting apps, many sites have optimized their browsing experience for mobile and other handheld devices. If you’re planning to wager from a tablet or smartphone, these sportsbooks will offer the best user experience.

1. BetOnline

BetOnline has a fully optimized user experience for mobile devices, with everything easy to navigate for both IOS and Android users. It’s one of the fastest and most responsive mobile experiences available, allowing users to lock in their odds without being delayed by a poor connection.

2. BetUS

BetUS goes the whole way of having a dedicated app available for download to maximize usability for mobile device users. However, their standard site, accessed through a web browser, is also well-optimized for all devices.

3. Everygame

For users focused on sports betting, Everygame has the easiest sportsbook to navigate. It has a menu bar on the left that will allow you to access any section of the site with just a couple of clicks. The easy-to-use betslip also adds to the ease of wagering.

So, while there are no California betting apps available, these mobile versions are top quality and worth trying.

Tax on Sports Betting Winnings in California

The best place to bet on sports online in the Golden State is at CA offshore sportsbooks, where you pay no tax on winnings. However, if you were to bet at a physical casino, the state would look to take a percentage of gaming revenues from the casino. This means you would need to pay tax.

With a total of 10 tax brackets, California has a complex tax structure. So, your tax rate may vary significantly depending on the total winnings you receive. The rates range from 1% to 13.3%.

• Income of $0 = 1% tax
• Income of up to $8,809 = 2% tax
• Income of up to $20,883 = 4% tax
• Income of up to $32,960 = 6% tax
• Income of up to $45,753 = 8% tax
• Income of up to $57,824 = 9.3% tax
• Income of up to $295,373 = 10.3% tax
• Income of up to $354,445 = 11.3% tax
• Income of up to $590,742 = 12.3% tax
• Income of $1,000,000 or more = 13.3% tax

Sports Betting Revenue in California

For now, there is no regulated industry manning sports betting within California. It is illegal to bet anywhere in the state. However, that does not mean that this will not change in the future. Indeed, California has, according to Bloomberg, the potential to be a multi-million pound industry to the tune of $364 million.

These are serious numbers for California’s state regulators to be considering. As a result, localized online sports betting could be just around the corner, which will generate huge sports betting revenue.

Betting Payment Methods

You will need to have a working means of carrying out transactions if you want to make deposits or withdrawals. There are traditional methods, eWallets, and cryptocurrencies.

Crypto Betting Options

Offshore sportsbooks are big supporters of cryptocurrency. Several different coins are usually available to choose from for wagering and bigger welcome bonuses just for cryptocurrency users. Some of the most common cryptos accepted are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Binance, Avalanche, Cardano, Tether, Litecoin, Stellar, Bitcoin Cash, and Shiba Inu.

eWallet Betting Options

You can use an eWallet to make transactions by either linking your bank account to it and then depositing funds or withdrawing them, or by using the funds already stored in your eWallet account.

Traditional Payment Methods

If you are unable to use cryptocurrencies or eWallets, you still have the traditional options for making deposits and withdrawals at offshore sportsbooks. These include credit and debit cards, ACH Transfer, online banking, wire transfer, PayNearMe, and Check by mail.

California Betting Bonuses

While betting on your favorite teams is undoubtedly the most exciting part of playing at online sportsbooks, collecting bonuses and taking part in promotions greatly enhances the overall experience. The money you win from using these promos can be used to play on the site and increase your overall winnings. The most common types of bonuses are shown below.

Match Deposit Bonuses

A match deposit bonus is a reward given as bonus funds in exchange for making an initial deposit, usually in the form of a percentage match up to a maximum amount.

For example, if you make a deposit of up to $1,000 at MyBookie, for instance, the site will match your deposit by 50%. That means a $2,000 deposit is necessary to obtain the full $1,000 bonus.

The minimum deposit is $10, and there is a 10x wagering requirement. Therefore to be able to cash out bonus money, you’ll need to make 10 times the sum of your initial deposit plus the bonus in wagers.

No Deposit Bonuses

The best part of a no deposit bonus is that it is awarded automatically upon account registration with no deposit required. The amounts are usually small, ranging from $10 to $25. However, they serve as a good start for you to test a new online sportsbook.

Free Bets

Free bets and free spins are given out by sportsbooks as part of promotions or contests. If you are lucky enough to obtain a free bet you can enjoy a risk-free wager. Do note that the free bet stake will not be returned with any winnings as is standard practice with free bets.

Some sportsbooks such as BetOnline will also give new players a risk-free bet to try on live betting.

Popular Sports to Bet on

The best California online sports betting sites typically have between 30 and 50 different sports available for bettors to choose from. With Californians tending to favor teams in their own backyard – and rightly so – lets So let’s take a look at the state’s most popular leagues and professional sports teams:

NFL

The most popular sport in America is football. Therefore, whether you want to wager on the NFL (National Football League), where professionals compete, or the NCAAF (National Collegiate Athletic Association Football), where college teams compete, the leading sportsbooks will have you fully covered. Point spreads, moneylines, totals, team and player prop bets (such as who will score the first touchdown), and other bets and props are available.

NBA

Aside from football, basketball is another national pastime that draws huge crowds around the United States. This is why the best offshore sportsbooks will have basketball lines on the NBA and collegiate hoops (NCAAB).

All of the sites we suggest provide more than just point spread bets for basketball, including moneylines, totals, and various props. Sportsbetting.ag, Bovada, and MyBookie are among the best NBA betting sites, and they also cover international basketball competitions like the FIBA World Basketball Championship.

MLB

Baseball, often regarded as the USA’s favorite pastime, is another of the most heavily bet on sports in the United States. Therefore, all MLB games and futures are available at the best California sportsbooks during the entire season, from the regular season to the postseason. Leading MLB betting sites like BetOnline, XBet, and BetUS publish their opening moneyline and run line odds and lines early.

NHL

Ice hockey fans have a great selection of domestic and international competitions to pick from at all of our recommended California sportsbooks.  The NHL, Stanley Cup, and CFL are a few of these. The moneyline, spreads, and totals are the most common NHL betting options. BetOnline and MyBookie are particularly good choices if you enjoy hockey betting.

NCAA Football

Odds on NCAA college football (National Collegiate Athletic Association) can be found at each of the offshore sportsbooks that feature on this page. There are a wide variety of markets, props much like in the NFL. College football futures are available for tournaments like the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. Bovada is a good choice for college football.

NCAA Basketball

All of the offshore sportsbooks featured on this page also provide odds on college basketball (NCAAB). You will find a wide variety of markets, moneylines, spreads, totals, and props much like with the NBA. Futures are also available on big tournaments such as March Madness.

There are many NCAAB college basketball teams located in California. It has the most Division I teams of any state in America with 26.

Golf

Another sport that is becoming more and more popular among gamblers is golf. The main golf tournaments such as The Masters, US Open, and PGA Tour typically have betting odds accessible all year round. The outright winner, Top 5, Top 10, First Round Leader, 2-balls, 3-balls, etc. are all options for wagering. If you enjoy wagering on golf, we suggest you visit BetOnline.

Horse Racing

California is one of the major horse racing hubs in the United States where tracks like Santa Anita Raceway and Del Mar Race Track are well-known. The California Horse Racing Board promotes and safeguards the state’s horse racing industry, which is home to numerous Grade 1 racing events.

Horse racing betting apps are the pinnacle for betting on horses in California. They generally provide a simpler and smoother way to place your wagers.

Horse race betting is a big global industry and the vast majority of offshore sportsbooks offer pari-mutuel wagers online, including win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, hi-5, and quinella.

Some of the best online California sportsbooks, like MyBookie, Bovada, and BetOnline, have integrated separate racebooks within their websites. This simplifies the process for sports bettors to keep up with the most recent races, odds, and information.

DFS

Daily fantasy sports are played across shorter time frames than traditional fantasy sports, typically, as the name suggests, lasting a single day. Increasingly popular on sports betting apps in California, sometimes DFS contests can last several days or for the duration of a tournament.

BetOnline and MyBookie provide free daily fantasy and survival contests for regular players. These tournaments can be exciting and provide you with a chance to win additional cash with no risk.

The Most Popular Sports Betting Apps in California

Betting from mobile and tablet devices is increasingly popular. They give you a convenient and easy way to get involved in the action. There are plenty of sports betting apps available in California, but some sites are better optimized than others. Here, we give our top three recommendations for online casinos with the best mobile apps.

Live Betting at California Betting Sites

You can place ‘in-play’ bets on sporting events that are currently underway with live betting. The sportsbooks live betting odds will change constantly based on how each team or player is performing so you will need to act quickly to take the odds you want.

There may be a few seconds of time delay before your bet is accepted. You will notice that live betting may occasionally become ‘suspended’ and become temporarily unavailable during key moments such as touchdowns or turnovers while the oddsmakers update the live odds.

BetUS and MyBookie are always on top of things and are two of the best California sportsbooks for live betting.

How California Compares to its Neighboring States

The states of Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona, all of which border California, have already passed legislation legalizing sports betting. Nevada is home to Las Vegas which, in 1949, was the first (and for many years the only) US state to legalize betting on sports.

Arizona has been making giant strides in online sports betting, with some of the state’s sportsbooks even forming partnerships with NFL teams.

The Best Sports Betting Site in California

Residents of California have access to a number of excellent sports betting websites. Choosing the ideal one will always depend on the preferences and needs of the individual.

In our opinion, BetOnline has a lot of features that a top-notch website should. This makes it our best sports betting site in California, as well as a great poker site in California. This California online sports betting site offers a wide selection of prop bets and tools, comprehensive live lines, and futures odds on all the most popular sports in North America.

To top things off, there is a thorough Racebook, integrated live esports broadcasting, a solid selection of payment methods, and a good variety of promotions available.

Gambling Addiction Resources in California

Gambling addiction is a problem that can develop when you are not careful about your habits. There is a screening tool, provided by the National Council on Problem Gambling, that collects 10 questions you can ask yourself. If you or someone you know needs help there are plenty of resources available.

• The California Department of Public Health has an Office of Problem Gambling with resources and the chance to speak to counselors.
• The California Council on Problem Gambling offers support for families as well as the person who is suffering.
• Gamblers Anonymous is a place where you can talk and hear the testimonials of other people dealing with addiction.
• Speak to someone right now through the National Problem Gambling Helpline. You can contact them via phone call, by text, or through their chat service.