Online Sports Betting In California
California’s legal sports betting age is 18. In order to partake in sports betting at online sportsbooks, you must be at least 18 years of age or older. Online sportsbooks will not allow sports bettors to wager without legal identification that proves they are at least the required legal sports betting age. Online Sports Betting California: A Guide to Popular Gambling Sites Best known for Hollywood and a golden coastline, California is home to numerous bricks-and-mortar casinos that give Nevada a run for its money. Best online gambling sites offer people numerous opportunities to earn both fame and money. Legality of online gambling. Majority of countries restrict betting via Internet, but it is allowed in several states in US. Government is very strict about rules of regulations for those providers who offer people online.
- Online Sports Betting California Reddit
- Sports Betting In California 2019
- Best Online Sportsbook For California
- California Casinos With Sports Betting
- Legality Of Online Sports Betting In California
- Online Sports Betting In California
Dec 15, 2020 The nation’s largest potential retail sports betting market is now closer than ever to reality, the latest development in a wild month for California gaming. A petition led by the state’s Native American casinos to place a sports betting measure on the 2022 ballot is advancing toward fruition after supporters met a key submission deadline earlier this week.
California online gambling is not yet legalized and regulated within state borders. However, there are real money gambling sites available in CA. They’re just based elsewhere.
So if you’re wondering you can gamble online for real money in California, the simple answer is yes. We go into more detail in this guide to CA online gambling, which also includes our recommendations for the best California gambling sites currently available.
Rank | DE Gambling Site | Exclusive Bonus | Products | Get Started | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Las Atlantis | 280% Up To$14,000 |
| Visit Site | Las Atlantis |
#2 | Super Slots | 300% Up To$6,000 |
| Visit Site | Super Slots |
#3 | BetUS | 125% Up To$3,125 |
| Visit Site | BetUS |
#4 | MyBookie | 50% Up To$1,000 |
| Visit Site | MyBookie |
#5 | BetNow | 100% Up To$1,000 |
| Visit Site | BetNow |
The legal situation regarding gambling online in California is, at best, a little confusing.
With a few exceptions, it’s the same in most American states. Although some have legal online gambling that is regulated by the relevant state government, most do not have legislation in place that directly relates to betting and gaming over the internet.
All this means, for the most part, is that gambling sites can’t actually base themselves within states that don’t have the appropriate laws and regulatory framework in place. They can still accept customers from those states, providing they’re licensed and operating legally where they ARE based.
So, if you’re looking to gamble online from CA, your search is over. We’ve analyzed all the sites available to players in the state, and ranked them based on various criteria. Our list of the best California online gambling sites is all you need to get started.
How can we contend that the sites we recommend stand above the rest? That’s a good question, and the answer is that we measure all of the important factors point by point when we’re engaged in the rating process.
Read on to find out more about how we identify the top California gambling sites.
Assessing Online Gambling Sites for CA
Our process for ranking real money gambling sites is extensive and effective. We look at all the factors that can affect your overall online gambling experience in one way or another, and apply ratings to sites accordingly. The sites that perform the best in key areas are the ones that we rank the highest.
We won’t cover every aspect of our ranking process here, as there’s too much involved. But here are a few details on some of the areas we considered when listing the best online gambling sites for CA.
When you’re gambling online for real money, you’re naturally going to be concerned about the safety of your funds. This is fully understandable, because it’s a bit unsettling to start a financial relationship with a company that has no physical presence.
This being stated, a measured look at the big picture should inspire confidence. Internet-based gambling sites are widely utilized by players around the world. So, in a very real sense, online gambling is firmly established as a completely legitimate industry with a solid foundation.
Of course, there are always going to be a few bad actors in any business niche. Our job is to provide our readers with SAFE California gambling sites, so of course we make sure that the rogue operations get nowhere near our recommended list.
An important part of our ranking process is to research the history of sites, and gather feedback from others who have used them. Although we thoroughly test themselves, this additional research can be very enlightening.
We have to be completely convinced that a site is reputable and treats its customers well before we recommend it.
Financial companies that hold your funds, like banks, brokerages, and insurance companies, hammer home the fact that they’ve been around forever. They know people want to be reassured that the company will be in business and solvent when they need their money.
To a lesser extent, the same principle applies to online gambling sites. The operators that we rank as the top-rated California gambling sites stand on very firm footing. We look for websites that have been around long enough to establish a reputation for absolute reliability.
Something for Nothing
The best CA gambling sites roll out the red carpet when it comes to financial incentives for their players. Our recommendations all offer eye-catching bonuses for new players, and we’re talking about hundreds of dollars or more.
Most businesses don’t give you free money to express their appreciation for your patronage, but the real money gambling sites are notable exceptions. In addition to the initial bonuses, there are ongoing promotions, so the rewards don’t necessarily stop after the initial sign-up.
While we’re on the subject of bonus money, after you collect your welcome offer from one site, you can register an account as a new player on another site to take advantage of their new sign-up cash promotions.
Safety, an established reputation, and generous bonuses offers are at the cornerstone of what makes for a top online gambling site. There are many, many more things to consider, though. Here are some more examples.
- Banking options
- Speed of payouts
- Customer service
- Range of gambling options
The best gambling sites for California all offer a choice of ways to deposit and withdraw your funds. They also make sure that any withdrawals are paid out in a reasonable timeframe.
They provide top-notch customer service on every level, too. Telephone customer support is there for you, and some sites have call centers operating around the clock. You can contact them by email, and live chat is available as well.
A range of gambling options is important, as people have different preferences for what they like to play and bet on.
Again, this is really just scratching the surface of what we look at. We’ll move on now, though, and look at reasons why you might want to gamble online from California in the first place.
Californians can engage in a few forms of real money gambling at physical locations throughout the state. There are more than 60 Native American casinos, and there are horse racing tracks and poker rooms.
It’s nice to have these options available, but there are several reasons why online gambling is the better choice in just about every instance.
No Access Limitations
If you’re fortunate enough to live in one of the major metropolitan areas where there are horse racing tracks, you can fight traffic and eventually bet the ponies. The only problem is, they’re hours away from most residents of the state.
There are poker rooms in all parts of California, but a relatively small percentage of people that like to gamble are live poker players. The Native American casinos offer some traditional casino games, but they’re usually spread out on tribal lands in more remote areas.
So, yes, there is gambling in-state, but it’s quite limited. On the other hand, when you open an account at one of the leading CA gambling sites, there are absolutely zero geographic limitations. You can dive into the action from anywhere, and this is a quantum leap that changes the playing field.
Even if there’s some type of betting or gaming venue relatively close to your home, the facility may not be all that inviting after you have visited it once or twice. The drive is inconvenient, and in some instances, there are parking fees. Once you make your way inside, another set of hassles greet you.
Large crowds and unruly behavior are commonplace in casinos, for example. This can be uncomfortable in a general sense, but you may also find it hard to snag a seat at the tables and slot machines.
There can be prohibitive rules with regard to drinking alcohol while gambling at Indian casinos. And refreshments are going to be overpriced at the gaming halls because of the “only game in town” factor.
You have the freedom to gamble at home in complete peace when using the best California online gambling sites, with all the affordable refreshments you could ever want just a few steps away.
The sites are designed for mobile adaptability, so if you want to place wagers while you’re in a coffee shop or a local watering hole, you’re good to go.
We know that many of our readers are interested in the future of online gambing because they have heard about the changing attitudes among government officials in many parts of the country. One huge development has definitely accelerated the shift that we are seeing in more and more states.
Supreme Court Sports Betting Decision
During the 1980s, the sporting world was rocked by a number of scandals that involved inappropriate gambling by participants for dishonest purposes. This culminated in the revelations about baseball great and former Reds manager Pete Rose betting on games that he managed (among others).
There was a congressional response presented in the form of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 1992. This made gambling on sports in the United States illegal in all parts of the country except Nevada, a state that already had numerous sportsbooks in place.
This statute remained unchallenged for the next two decades or so, but finally, New Jersey decided to throw down the gauntlet.
The court battle raged on for a few years, and it eventually reached the highest court in the land. On May 14 in 2018, the Supreme Court decided that the PASPA law violated the 10th Amendment, and this effectively opened the door to all 50 states legalizing sports gambling.
Though US gambling laws now allow states to license sports betting facilities, it is up to each respective state to decide how to proceed. They can also choose to legalize and regulate online gambling.
There are some states that will likely never even give the possibility any consideration because of their overall stance toward gambling.
California doesn’t fit into this category, but there isn’t much momentum toward legalization and regulation right now. They’re planning on placing a referendum on the ballot in the near future to let the voters decide on the matter.
Even if they do vote in favor of the measure, it will take a significant length of time for the parameters to be established by the government. It should also be noted that state-sanctioned brick and mortar sports betting facilities are one thing, but online gambling is another.
Since the state is moving very slowly toward the regulation of sports betting at physical locations, it will probably take even longer for them to license online casinos and sportsbooks.
No Worries for California Gamblers
People that live in the Golden State don’t have to cross their fingers and wait for a miracle with regard to safe, trustworthy, regulated online gambling. The best California gambling sites that we listed are always open for business.
They’re licensed in reputable jurisdictions, and there are strict requirements for applicants. These operators are well-financed, managed by vetted industry professionals, and required to offer safeguards for players.
One of the factors we take into consideration when rating sites is the particular geographic focus. As an American, you want to frequent a site that’s designed for US players.
People that live in the Golden State don’t have to cross their fingers and wait for a miracle with regard to safe, trustworthy, regulated online gambling. The best California gambling sites that we listed are always open for business.
We have an entire page dedicated to gambling laws in California. It’s worth a read if you want to know the details of all the current gambling legislation in the state. For a quick overview, see below.
Overview of California Gambling Laws | |
---|---|
Type of Gambling | Legal Status |
Casino Gambling | Legal (Tribal casinos only) |
Poker | Legal |
Horse Racing Betting | Legal |
Lottery | Legal |
Daily Fantasy Sports | Legal |
Charitable Gaming | Legal |
Social Gambling | Restricted |
Online Gambling | Unspecified |
Most of the top online gambling sites for California that offer just about every form of gambling that you would find in the world-class casino resorts that tower over the Las Vegas Strip.
The exact offerings vary a bit from site to site, but you can definitely find a resource on our approved list that has what you want.
Although each site typically offers multiple forms of gambling, some sites are better at one thing than they are at others. That’s why we also rank the best California gambling sites on other, more specific, categories.
Now that you know so much about California online gambling, and the sites available to you in the state, we wanted to leave you with a few concise takeaways.
Our research team puts all of the best gambling websites for California players under a microscope. We look at relevant factors and aim to provide you with a world-class gaming experience at the sites we listed.
And when you establish an account at our recommended sites, you never have to drive to a physical betting or gaming facility. These sites are always up and running, so you don’t have to worry about rude people, long waits, or distance.
There’s also no shortage of betting options when you enter the online universe. If you like casino games, table games, slots, and video poker, they’re all readily available. And these CA gambling sites accommodate bettors of all bankroll sizes.
Sports betting is also another possibility, and you’ll find favorable odds here. You can bet on horses or dogs with all the standard types of wagers.
Anyone that has an interest in gambling should take full advantage of this exciting entertainment option.
When it comes to California online gambling, there are a lot of restrictions placed on California residents. In California, online casinos, online sportsbooks, and traditional online poker sites are illegal. But you do have a few options when it comes to online betting.
Namely, the state of California may run special “second chance” promotions on scratchers. You can play online poker for sweepstake entries. You can bet online on horse races. And you can play Daily Fantasy Sports, which is legal in almost all US states.
Beyond that, California residents are limited to brick-and-mortar casinos and sportsbooks or illegal betting websites.
California Online Gambling Options And Restrictions
Here’s a helpful breakdown of what is and isn’t legal in terms of betting online in CA:
Type Of Betting Site | Legality In The State Of California |
---|---|
Sweepstakes casinos | LEGAL |
Sweepstakes poker | LEGAL |
Online horse race betting | LEGAL |
Daily Fantasy Sports | LEGAL |
Online Casinos | Illegal |
Online sports betting | Illegal (aside from Daily Fantasy Sports) |
Online poker | Illegal |
Online Lottery | Illegal (except for special state-sanctioned circumstances) |
Online Bingo | Free-play only. No real-money games allowed. |
Snapshot Of Online Bets On Horse Racing, A Legal Option In CA
When we normally think about online betting, we’re specifically referring to placing a real-money bet for a chance at real-money winnings. And because both Daily Fantasy Sports and sweepstakes sites are legal across the US, we thought we’d highlight one that’s unique to California’s legal online betting market: horse racing.
Brick-and-mortar horse racing in California spans four full-time tracks up and down the state: Santa Anita Park, Del Mar Racetrack, Golden Gate Fields, and Los Alamitos Race Course. You can bet on those races remotely direct with some of the tracks – or from legal horse race betting websites.
See our comprehensive Guide To Online Horse Betting In The US.
Popular Horse Racing Sites In California
The most popular legal horse racing sites include TVG, Xpressbet, TwinSpires, and BetAmerica. Each hosts a wide range of events that span the entire globe. This includes races in Australia and Southeast Asia, on top of all the tracks within the US.
These websites are popular outlets for two simple reasons: traveling to the track isn’t always feasible, and the promotions are worthwhile. The legal horse racing sites available in California offer no-deposit bonuses, risk-free betting, and loyalty programs, just like the traditional sportsbook.
The bets you can place at these horse racing sites are the same as if you visited the track itself. That means you can win small amounts on micro-bets as well as enormous payouts on long-shot bets like the pick-six bet.
A Rundown Of Each Type Of Online Gambling In California
For a state that has the largest Daily Fantasy Sports market in the country, California bettors have limited options beyond that. Here is a rundown of each type of online betting as it pertains to CA residents and visitors:
CA Online Casinos
There is currently no legally licensed online casino available to people located in California. Californians can travel to states with legal online casinos to bet on digital casino games. They can even join and deposit without placing a bet at many American online casinos. But doing both from within the state is currently against the law.
Will online casinos be legalized in California? Not anytime soon. No recent news coverage has identified any online casino legislation in the works. While the federal government no longer restricts states from legalizing online casinos, it’s up to the state to pass the legislation, issue licenses, and regulate operators.
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. In that same vein, California residents can legally bet in those states as long as they’re located within the borders.
Online Sports Betting California Reddit
Further, the state of California doesn’t even offer land-based sportsbooks aside from horse race betting at retail race tracks.
Sports Betting In California 2019
However, many people located in California are a close drive from Nevada, where they can place sports bets online and at brick-and-mortar sportsbook locations.
Online Poker In California
Online poker is currently unavailable in California. However, this is one area where legislation is moving forward.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, state legislators scheduled a bill for vote in November 2020. Whereas some states, like Maryland, moved forward on scheduling votes and referendums, California’s legislation is currently stalled.
For the time being, poker players in California are limited to land-based poker tables. But Southern California is largely considered the brick-and-mortar poker capital of the world, as it’s one of the few places in the country to allow poker since the 1930s.
That’s on top of this being one of the richest regions, inviting both international, national, and local high-rollers to some of the most sought-after seats in world poker.
No wonder so many Hollywood celebrities double as professional poker players, including Tobey Maguire, Ben Affleck, and Jennifer Tilly.
Playing The California Lottery Online
An online lottery is not legally offered in California. Normally, the only online interaction a Californian can have with the lottery is by checking a ticket to see if it’s a winner. You simply download the app and scan the barcode.
Some websites allow you to purchase foreign lottery tickets. But you have to trust that they’ll both buy the ticket for you in-person and pay out any winnings. Even more so than online casinos, we recommend avoiding offshore lottery websites. Imagine if you won a million dollars. What’s to stop them from keeping the money? They have possession of the ticket, and you have zero recourse because the website is unlicensed.
However, California launched a “second chance” promotion for scratch-off tickets in 2019. After a ticket is purchased, you can log in to the California Lottery app and try your luck at another chance to win. Two people won over a million dollars, so keep your eye out for the next time they roll out a promotion like that.
But, in general, you can’t log in to the California Lottery app and buy tickets online. You have to go to a local retailer (the nearest of which is probably around the corner from your home).
Online Bingo In California
Plenty of bingo parlors exist across the state of California. Some even have payouts in the thousands of dollars, but most offer physical prizes.
Online bingo, on the other hand, is not legal in California. You cannot legally purchase digital bingo cards in the hopes of winning real-money prizes that can then be withdrawn. Instead, legal bingo sites are limited to sweepstakes betting.
Thankfully, a simple Google search will identify all the legal bingo events going on in your area.
Online Horse Racing Bets In CA
The only traditional online betting that’s legal online in California is horse racing. You can bet on local, national, and international tracks, from local races in San Diego to races held on the other side of the world.
However, many betting websites that take horse racing bets from folks in CA are illegal and unlicensed, so it’s important to be sure you’re depositing at a legal choice.
It also might be worthwhile to note that horse racing could be nearing its finish line as a practice in California. The activist outcry against what many dub animal cruelty, particularly in a famously progressive state, could make horse racing illegal before the state legalizes online sportsbooks and casinos.
Still, even if horse racing goes the way of greyhound racing and is outlawed in CA, betting on it online will almost certainly remain legal.
Is Daily Fantasy Sports Legal In California?
Yes. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal in most states because their operators convinced legislators that DFS is skill-based. So, while almost all states have outlawed online casinos, online sportsbooks, and poker sites, DFS is only unavailable in the following states:
- Hawaii
- Washington
- Idaho
- Montana
- Arizona
- Louisiana
- Alabama
- Delaware
In every other state as well as Washington DC, you can legally play DFS at DraftKings, FanDuel, and other operators.
If you’re wondering how sports betting isn’t skill-based but DFS is, that’s a hotly debated topic. If you’re wondering how DFS is more skill-based than poker, no one has a good answer for you. It’s a total mystery.
See our guide to How To Play Daily Fantasy Sports In California.
Sweepstakes Betting Sites In California
Sweepstakes betting sites can legally offer online casino games, Bingo, digital scratch-offs, sportsbooks, and even poker. What’s more, some are able to accept your money.
But you can’t win cash through online sweepstakes games. Instead, winning the different bets earns you points that can be cashed in for prize drawings. It’s sort of an online raffle, except you have to play to win entries to the raffle. Then again, many offer introductory promotions that give you free entries. But ongoing opportunities require playing the different games.
To call sweepstakes betting sites gambling is a massive stretch, even more so than considering DFS “skill-based” but not sportsbooks or poker. Still, you can win cash prizes based on playing blackjack, slots, roulette, and so on. So, while it’s not gambling, it has the feel of an online casino.
Check out our Guide To California Sweepstakes Sites And Online Casinos.
A Very Brief And Somewhat Disappointing History Of Online Gambling In California
Interestingly, gambling is one of the few bipartisan issues in the United States. Republican, Democrat, and Independent politicians can be for or against legalization, political party notwithstanding. This is important to mention because online gambling legislation is a political issue, and California is a historically left-leaning state.
Since states across the country began legalizing online casinos and online sportsbooks, California has been slow to follow. But this isn’t for a lack of demand; rather, it’s a matter of political will. Passing new legislation requires cutting through a mountain of red tape. And the recent push toward legalized online poker in 2020 was stymied by COVID-19.
Effect Of The Wire Act
For decades, the government used the Federal Wire Act of 1961 to restrict all forms of online gambling at the federal level. In September 2011, the US Department of Justice under the Obama administration declared that the Act only applied to sports betting.
In 2018, the Trump Justice Department reversed course. It retracted the 2011 DOJ opinion and declared the Wire Act applied to all forms of online betting. The Fifth Court of Appeals then said the Wire Act only applies to sports betting. Then the Department of Justice filed an intention to appeal that decision. And if you’re confused, welcome to the club.
And that’s where we are at the federal level.
Basically, the history of California’s online gambling is yet to be written. Online poker seems to be the most likely legalization in the near future. And the growing demand for legal online sportsbooks will likely reach a fever pitch across the country, California included.
The Legality Of California’s Brick-And-Mortar Gambling
The most liberal aspect of legal gambling in California compared to other states is the cardroom. These land-based establishments allow poker, blackjack, pai gow, and baccarat but do not permit slots or table games.
Best Online Sportsbook For California
Cardrooms also serve food, drinks, and host events, which gives them the feel of a casino. But if you like the digital games or roulette, you’ll have to travel one state over to Nevada. Further, since 1995, the state won’t allow additional cardrooms to open. If a California cardroom goes out of business, the state will not issue a license for a new cardroom to open in its place.
Another option is to travel to Native American reservation casinos. In California alone, there are over 60 different tribal casinos that span the state.
You can also play the California State Lottery, which is available for purchase and cash-in only within the state borders. However, you can also play Mega Millions and PowerBall, which is available in 45 states, California included.
Quick Facts On CA Gambling
Does the state of California offer casinos? | Cardrooms only |
How many tribal casinos are in the state? | 65 |
How many horse tracks are in California? | 4 |
Can you play the lottery in California? | Yes |
What is the legal gambling age in California? | 18 |
Who regulates California gambling? | California Gambling Control Commission |
How Many Casinos Are Located In California?
Within the California state lines, there are two different types of casinos: tribal casinos and cardrooms. Currently, you can bet at more than 60 full-sized tribal casinos and approximately 90 state-licensed cardrooms. These establishments vary in size dramatically, especially when you compare small cardrooms to enormous casino resorts.
Unlike cardrooms, tribal casinos host every type of casino game. This includes slots, video poker, roulette, and craps. That’s on top of the blackjack and poker the cardrooms offer.
How Has The California Casino Industry Grown?
California’s casino industry took off after the ratification of the Tribal-State Gaming Compacts in 1999. Since then, dozens of casinos opened across the state on reservation land.
Because no new cardrooms can open as of 1995, the only way a new casino can open is if it’s tribal-run or the state passes new legislation. That means, for now, the California casino industry has, by all indications, plateaued. This situation appears to be fluid, though. Currently, the moratorium on new cardroom licenses expires in 2023.
Who Owns California Casinos?
Right now, 61 Native American tribes own all the casinos located within California state lines. The names of the casinos normally do not relate to the name of the tribe.
As for the cardrooms, the ownership is even more varied, but they’re often named after the location. For example, Commerce Casino is located in Commerce, CA, while the Napa Valley Casino is located in Napa.
An Overview Of The California Lottery
“Winning the lottery” isn’t as hard as the term might suggest. Of course, the huge jackpots can hold incredibly small odds. Most people who play the Powerball or the Mega Millions every week for their whole lives never come close to winning the jackpot. But playing the lotto in California is a lot more nuanced than that.
Daily 3
Two drawings per day, every day. You can select three numbers or let the computer do it for you. One number can win you over $50, while the three numbers in order can pay out a few hundred dollars plus.
Daily 4
The same as Daily 3, except the prizes are bigger due to the increased difficulty of correctly guessing four in a row.
Daily Derby
This virtual horse racing game allows bettors to guess which “horse” (number) will come in first, second, and third, and the results come in twice per day.
Fantasy 5
The same as Daily 3 and 4, except that the drawing is once per day, and the minimum win on the top prize is $65,000.
SuperLotto Plus
The California-only version of the MegaMillions. The drawing occurs twice per week. The minimum top prize is $7 million.
Hot Spot
In California, lottery retailers host screens with a Keno game called Hot Spot. The Hot Spot allows you to bet every four minutes from 6 AM to 2 AM every day. Payouts are determined by both the price of the ticket and the amount of correctly guessed numbers.
Nonprofit Casino Nights In California
According to California Gambling Law, a nonprofit can use casino games to raise money in what is commonly known as a “casino night.”
However, 90 percent of gross revenue has to go to a registered charity, individual cash prizes cannot exceed $500, and total prizes can’t exceed $5,000.
You also can’t host any aspect of it online.
Are Raffles Legal In California?
Yes, but raffles have similar laws to that of charity casino nights in that 90 percent of revenue must go toward charity. However, 50/50 raffles at sporting events are also allowed and regulated by the Bureau of Gambling Control.
California Casinos With Sports Betting
Online raffles are not legal in most cases. Even charitable online raffles are illegal if any form of marketing is done online. But you can legally advertise an in-person raffle, as well as list all the details of the raffle, such as prizes, rules, and even entry forms, which need to be printed out and completed manually.
Is An Office Pool Legal In California?
Yes. Office pools are legal in California so long as:
- It’s not done online
- No one profits off of the pool
- The total pool money doesn’t exceed $2,500
So, if you and your friends want to hold a pool for events like March Madness or do a Super Bowl board, there’s nothing stopping you if you operate within those rules.
Learn More About California Gambling Laws
California Online Gambling FAQ
No. Not unless you’re betting on horse racing, playing a sweepstakes casino or poker site or going for a second chance through the CA Lottery app. Otherwise, you’re gambling at an illegal betting site.
While it’s not illegal to gamble at an offshore casino, you won’t have any recourse if you’re ripped off. Many Californians still choose to bet at unlicensed sites and receive their winnings without issue. But is it safe? Strictly speaking, it is not.
Legality Of Online Sports Betting In California
In order to ensure the user base is in compliance with local regulations, online sportsbooks and casinos require members to let them know their location. Otherwise, there’s no way of knowing whether the person is inside the state – or even within the country.
Allowing bets from people located outside of the specific state is illegal. Even those who legally reside in states where online casinos or sportsbooks are legal cannot bet if they’re outside of state lines.
Yes. The second you cross the border into Nevada, you can play at any of their licensed betting websites. Many who live close to the border can feasibly drive over state lines, place their sports bets, drive home, then drive back into the state to collect their winnings.
Yes. State residency does not matter. All that matters is that you’re located within the state lines. That means you don’t even need to be a United States citizen to legally bet at licensed online casinos. This applies to online casinos in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and other states.
Online Sports Betting In California
Yes. California’s standard income tax applies to any gambling winnings. The only exception is the CA Lottery, wherein the state automatically withholds the 24% tax (30% for non-US citizens or legal residents) if the winnings exceed $600.
So, if you’re a US citizen and win $1,000 on the CA Lottery, you’d receive $760. You would not have to pay any additional taxes.
If your net winnings for the year exceeds $5,000, then your gambling winnings are subjected to a flat tax rate of 25%.
It’s important to note that “net winnings” means your winnings subtracted by your losses. If you won $10,000 but lost $5,0001, you would not have to pay federal taxes for gambling.
Tribal casinos in California are virtually the same as the casinos you find in Reno or Vegas. The biggest difference is the number of options. If you’re in a more rural part of California, you may be a long drive from the closest tribal casino. If you’re on the Las Vegas Strip, you’re a stone’s throw away from dozens of casinos.