Sportsbooks In California
Posted : admin On 4/15/2022Being the largest State in the USA with almost 40 million residents, it’s no surprise that California is a hotbed for sports betting in the United States.
The legalization of sports betting in California has been a slow, arduous process but may finally be nearing the finish line. Assembly member Adam Gray brought forth an amendment to the California. Most Likely CA Online Sports Betting Sites. FanDuel has both an online sportsbook as well as a daily fantasy app and site. Since fantasy bets are legal in California online sports. Caesars Sportsbook. Best Sports Betting Sites Available in California. With a population nearing 40 million people.
California, like the majority of states in the USA, does not allow sports betting within the State. This means that if you’re a California resident that would like to bet on sports you will need to open an account at an online sportsbook that is licensed and regulated outside of the State.
On this page I’ll explain the legality of betting on sports in California, recommend some offshore betting sites and touch on some specific cities within California.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in California?
First off, I want to point out that it is not legal to accept bets (run a sportsbook) in the State of California. This is due to California not licensing or authorizing any sports betting operator to run a betting service in the State. For this reason, if you see any online sportsbook that is run out of California you can be sure that it is not legal and likely not safe.
That said, it is NOT illegal for residents of California to bet through offshore betting sites. Offshore sportsbooks do not violate California’s gambling laws by instead being licensed by and regulated in a different jurisdiction. It is legal and safe for residents of California to open accounts and place bets at these offshore sportsbooks.
Best Sports Betting Sites for California Residents
Here are our two favourite offshore sportsbooks that accept residents of California….
- Built for American bettors
- Wide variety of competitive betting lines
- Easy to navigate betting platform
- Accepts players worldwide
- Competitive betting lines
- Fast & easy deposits and withdrawals (including Bitcoin)
Offline Sports Betting in California
There is currently no offline sports betting allowed in California. If you do come across a bookie you should realize that the bookie is operating their business illegally.
The only way to currently bet on sports in the State of California is through an offshore betting site, like I outlined above.
Even California casinos are currently unable to take sports bets. That said, depending where you live in California, Nevada may only be a short drive and almost every casino in Nevada will have it’s own sportsbook.
Major Sports Teams in California
There’s a long list of Major League sports teams in the State of California. I’ve added a quick list below. Click on the city name for more information on betting on sports in that specific city.
- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (MLB)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
- Los Angeles FC (MLS)
- LA Galaxy (MLS)
- Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)
- Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
- Los Angeles Chargers (NFL)
- Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
- Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
- Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA)
- Oakland Athletics (MLB)
- Sacramento Kings (NBA)
- San Diego Padres (MLB)
- San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
- San Francisco Giants (MLB)
- San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
- San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Horse Racing in California
It is legal to bet on horses at the track in California. Here are some of the major tracks located in the State, as well as some of their bigger races.
I should note though that you can also place bets for all the races at the following tracks online at either of the offshore sportsbooks I outlined above.
Legal Sportsbooks In California
Major Tracks
- Cal-Expo Race Track in Sacramento.
- Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar.
- Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley.
- Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress.
- Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.
Major Races
- Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack. Part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge with a $1,000,000 purse.
- Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park. For three-year-olds with a purse of $1,000,000.
- Santa Anita Handicap at Santa Anita Park. Ten furlong race for four year olds and up with a purse of $1,000,000.
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.
Betting Site | Bonus | Bet Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | up to €30 Free Bet | Go to Site | |
| 2 | 22Bet | 100% up to €122 | Go to Site |
| 3 | 100% up to €200 | Go to Site | |
| 4 | 10Bet | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
| 5 | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
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.
Online Sports Betting In California
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.
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.
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.