Is Sports Betting Legal In California?
While California is home to more major league sports teams than any other US state, it is yet to legalize sports betting. However, there are other ways you make predictions on your favorite sports and win cash. Read our expert guide below to discover how to bet legally in California.
- Full suite of betting options after relaunch in 2021
- Extensive in-play markets on US sports
- Rewards program allows you to earn betting offers or money off at Caesars facilities
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- Among largest selection of sports in the industry
- Lots of team-specific offers due to partnerships with franchises
- Lion's Boost gives you the chance to further increase your bankroll
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Must be 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NV, NY or ON.
- Multiple sign-up bonus options
- Focused on major US sports
- Refer a friend bonus available
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- BetFeed allows you to take inspiration from other bettors' wagers
- Perfect 10 gives chance to win big every week
- Very generous welcome bonus
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- Sportsbook Pools offers cash prizes for free
- Stats Hub provides advanced stats to help you with your wagers
- Exclusive price boosts with the teams DraftKings has partnerships with
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- Unique betting features like Captain Morgan’s Soccer Pick’em
- Exclusive odds boosts for FanDuel customers
- Market leader available in majority of states
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- App is very well laid out and incredibly easy to use
- Wide range of live-streaming options
- Access to CityCast podcast in certain states
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
- Can live stream multiple sports without betting on them
- Among the widest variety of sports to wager on in the industry
- Caters to almost every bettor by allowing wagering in 17 different currencies
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
Commercial content notice: Taking up one of these offers may result in a payment to
bookmakers.com. Over 21s only please gamble responsibly.
Offers updated 20th March.
How to Bet on Sports in California
Until California legalizes sports betting, there are a few legal ways to wager on your favorite sports in the state. Firstly, you can visit an off-track betting site and place pari-mutuel bets on horse racing. However, if you don’t want the hassle of traveling to one of these locations, you can place horse racing bets online with an advance deposit wagering site.
You can also make predictions about major league sports by playing Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games. Many DFS competitions are free, although you can pay to enter contests with higher prizes.
Legal California Sports Betting Sites
If you want to place pari-mutuel horse racing bets in California, you’ll need to use a reputable regulated sports betting site. A licensed sportsbook has approval from a state’s regulatory body, which ensures it provides legal ways to bet. In California, the California Horse Racing Board oversees pari-mutuel betting sites.
We’ve provided an overview of the best legal betting sites in CA, allowing you to choose your next favorite, sign up, and start betting today.
TwinSpires California
The TwinSpires brand is steeped in horse racing history, as Churchill Downs Incorporated owns the platform. Churchill Downs is where the Kentucky Derby is run, part of the famous racing Triple Crown.
Anyone who signs up with TwinSpires in California can claim the site’s generous welcome bonus and other lucrative player promotions. Alongside international racing competitions, there are horse racing events to bet on in over 38 states. You’ll also find horse racing extras like tips from experts and live streams.
TVG Racing California
TVG first launched in the US as a horse racing TV channel, with its first-ever broadcast covering a race in California. Betfair acquired the company in 2015, which Flutter Entertainment now operates. Flutter is the company behind successful US sportsbooks FanDuel and FOX Bet.
After the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) in May 2018, TVG switched its focus to providing licensed advance deposit wagering on horse races. However, one of the main benefits of the site is its extensive live streaming of horse racing events.
TVG provides dozens of betting markets on races starting all throughout the day. While the best events in California and the US are covered, you will also find races from around the world in the UK, Australia, and Hong Kong.
Legal California Daily Fantasy Sports Sites
DFS platforms, like advance deposit wagering sites, need to be licensed in California to operate legally in the state. If you are not using a site licensed in CA, you can’t guarantee the safety of your personal information or financial details. The California Gambling Control Commission regulates DFS platforms, and here are some of our top picks.
FanDuel California
TVG partner FanDuel launched its DFS platform in 2009 and quickly rose to be one of the biggest providers in the US. You can find competitions for the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, along with smaller leagues like the MLS. FanDuel makes it easy to enter contests through its straightforward app, available on iOS and Android devices.
Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.
DraftKings California
After launching in 2012, DraftKings quickly rose to become DFS-provider royalty. The platform allows you to enter free and paid competitions, building teams for every major league. The DFS platform also lets you build teams and compete against your friends to see who gets the most points. DK regularly offers promotions to its DFS players, including free entry to competitions.
Advance Deposit Wagering California
Advance deposit wagering is very straightforward. To put it simply, it is betting where you have to deposit cash before you can wager. However, it only refers to sites offering pari-mutuel horse racing wagering - this is the only type of betting available in California until online sports betting is legalized.
If you sign up with one of the advance deposit wagering sites on this page, you can enjoy horse racing betting legally. Remember, our recommendations hold valid licensing to operate in California. You must register with a regulated betting site, as California’s regulatory body guarantees safety for anyone playing on these platforms.
Off Track Betting California
Off track betting (OTB) is a location licensed to offer pari-mutuel betting on horse racing. Rather than visiting a horse race track to place bets, you can go to an OTB and wager on live horse racing events in California. Some OTBs may offer simulcast betting as well. There are 23 off-track betting facilities you can use in California.
While it’s great to visit an OTB and soak up the atmosphere on race day, an advance deposit wagering site like TVG or TwinSpires lets you place the same wagers from the comfort and convenience of your home.
Daily Fantasy Sports California
Daily Fantasy Sports are contests where you pick a team of athletes from your favorite sports leagues. You can then score points based on how these athletes perform and win prizes if you get the highest points in a competition. However, unlike season-long fantasy tournaments, you will be scored just on one game day.
You’ll find DFS games for a variety of sports in California, including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey. However, there are also DFS games for smaller events like soccer and tennis.
From California But Visiting Another State To Bet
While sports betting isn’t yet legal in California, you can visit neighboring states where legislation has passed and bet legally. You must follow any local regulations like the minimum gambling age and use a sportsbook licensed by the state’s operator.
California is neighbored by three states, all of which allow online and retail sportsbook betting. You can visit Oregon, Nevada, or Arizona and bet anywhere in the state with a wide selection of sportsbooks.
California Sports Betting Bonuses
Advance deposit wagering sites and DFS sites, just like sportsbooks, offer new players welcome bonuses to encourage them to sign up. These new customer betting offers can allow you to play for free and boost your bankroll. However, remember to read the Ts & Cs carefully so you know exactly what to expect. We’ve listed some of the most common betting welcome offers at CA betting sites below.
California Free Bets
A free bet offer allows you to use on-site credit to make bets rather than risking your own money. You usually need to make a minimum deposit or minimum bet to get your free bets. Once you have fulfilled any terms and conditions, the betting site will give you your bonuses.
Free bet offers are straightforward to use. All you have to do is choose a qualifying market you want to bet on and add it to your bet slip. You will see an option to use your free bet funds in your bet slip. Once you have confirmed this, just place your bet. Most betting sites will let you withdraw any profits from your free bets, not including the value of the bonus.
California Deposit Match Bonuses
Rather than a free bet bonus, which gives you a set amount for fulfilling terms and conditions, a deposit match bonus offer gives you bonus funds based on how much you deposit. Usually, a betting site will match a percentage of your first deposit with bonus funds. There will be an upper limit, but the more money you add, the greater your rewards.
You can use bonus funds like cash while betting. However, these promotions often have wagering requirements, which tell you how many times you need to bet your funds before you can withdraw.
California Sports Betting Apps
You don’t just have to use a desktop site to bet on horse racing or play DFS games. Many of these platforms provide dedicated sports betting apps, which you can use to play. Mobile apps allow you to take your betting anywhere you have a connection and allow you to access exclusive features like event notifications. Alongside superior connectivity, sports betting apps also come with enhanced usability and almost all of the same benefits as desktop sportsbooks.
What Sports Can I Bet On in California?
While horse racing is the only sport you can bet on in CA, there is a wide range of events you can find on DFS sites. Check out all the sports you can bet on in California below.
- Horse racing (Advance deposit wagering)
- Football
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Golf
- UFC
- Tennis
- NASCAR
How to Sign Up at an Online Sports Betting Site In California
Horse racing betting sites and DFS platforms try to make it very simple for you to sign up. You have to provide your personal information, but the process only takes a few minutes. Follow our guide below to breeze through registration and start wagering in no time.
- Click the link on this page of the advance deposit wagering or DFS site you want to use.
- Select the “Sign Up” or “Register” button.
- Enter your full name, date of birth, address, email, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You’ll need to do this to verify your account and protect you from fraud and underage gambling.
- Create a password to secure your new betting account.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and complete your registration.
How to Place an Online Sports Bet in California?
Once you are signed up with a California betting site, you can start betting within minutes. Follow our step-by-step guide below to place your first legal bet.
- Sign into your betting account, or create a new one by clicking the links on this page.
- Visit the deposit section.
- Choose a payment method and how much money you want to add to your account. If you are claiming a betting welcome offer, be sure to meet any minimum deposit requirements. Your funds should hit your account instantly.
- Browse through your betting site’s markets and choose a bet you want to place. Add it to your bet slip.
- Decide how much you want to stake and confirm your bet.
- If your bet is a winner, return to the cashier section, where the betting site will guide you on withdrawing.
Popular Payment Methods at California Sports Betting Sites
Most California betting sites will provide a range of payment methods you will be familiar with, including trusted brands like Visa and Mastercard. You can also use e-wallets like PayPal, but other options like ecoPayz and Interac may also be available. Most betting sites also accept online banking methods like eChecks or Instadebit. While the popularity of cryptocurrencies grows, most betting sites don’t accept payments with these currencies.
When will Sports Betting be Legal in California?
Ever since the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018, each US state has been able to create sports betting legislation. However, sports betting must pass a public ballot vote to be legalized in California.
The ballot votes are held every two years, with the most recent coming in 2022. Two sports betting propositions were on the 2022 ballot, but both failed to receive enough votes. The next ballot is in 2024. If sports betting is supported in this ballot, it will allow lawmakers to enact a sports betting bill in 2025.
California Responsible Gambling
Anyone struggling with problem gambling in California can use a range of responsible gambling tools while using betting sites, including deposit limits and spend limits. In addition, these sites often provide guidance to local support organizations, such as the California Council on Problem Gambling.
