Gambling in California: Your Guide to Online & Offline Betting in CA

The Golden State has been known for its sunny beaches and lifestyle full of attractions and entertainment. When it comes to gambling in California, the options you have are more than enough to get any player excited with thrills that are rarely matched by other states. Stay with us until the end, as we’ll help you on your gambling journey with valuable insights and top industry tips objectively and professionally!

The topics we’ll cover include an overview of California gambling in the form of detailed observations around various betting options. Because slot machines and table games are very popular in CA, we’ll discuss the topic of casinos in California (tribal). If the racetrack or American football is of most interest to you, you’ll want to read about CA’s sports betting legality! Apart from that, poker and gambling laws will also be discussed, as well as interesting state facts!

California Gambling: Where to Legally Bet

In the following sections we will look at the most popular forms of gambling in the United States. Each section will break down the legality of the activity in question so that you will know exactly what you can and can’t do in California. Below you’ll see info regarding casinos, poker, online gambling, the lotto and more. Some of the topics will also have more comprehensive guides. Be on the lookout for those.

Land-Based Tribal Casinos in CA

Land-based casinos are quite widespread in the state, and for the fans of live-action, we are pleased to say that there are lots of operators. However, you should note that due to specifics of legal gambling in California, the main types are card rooms and Native American or tribal casinos. That’s not surprising since the Golden State prides itself with the largest variety of Indian casinos and resorts. Residents can indulge in vegas-style gaming optionsat tribal gambling establishments such as slot machines and much more. So don’t miss out on them!

In terms of gaming, slot machines and table games are a huge part of CA casino gambling. The number and variety of these games depend solely on the space and will of tribal casinos, but overall, you will be pleased with your choice. Although the importance of gaming options is unquestionable, most casinos have included promotions that can help in your gambling experience. Bear in mind that they are valid for a specific period and are usually daily of weekly bonuses.

Online Gambling California: Casino Sites

For the time being, online casinos aren’t banned or regulated in the state of California, meaning that you can enter operators if you’re willing to. Of course, you will be required by online casinos to provide various documents in the form of ID as underage gambling is never tolerated. Bear in mind that the operators you’ll come across are offshore, and we advise you always to double-check their legal status and whether their games are tested by third-party gaming laboratories. Speaking of games, here are some of the most popular choices you’ll be presented with at online gambling California casinos:

• Online Slot Machines
• Live Games
• Table & Card Games
• Video Poker
• Jackpots
• Scratch Cards
• Bingo
• Pai Gow

It’s hard to say which online casino to choose in the Golden State, but regardless of player preferences, we advise you to first start with safety. See if the operator is licensed by any official gambling regulator and whether it has a Secure Socket Layer certificate. The latter can be done easily by checking whether the URL is secure. Other subjective factors you can take into consideration are the available games, mobile device compatibility, and bonus requirements of the welcome offer you are about to claim. However, make sure to check our list of best US casinos where the excitement is guaranteed!

California Sports Betting: Is It Legal?

When it comes to legal gambling in CA, sports betting is a topic that is still unclear. There have been attempts to legalize it through the signing of a petition, initiated by California tribes. They wanted exclusivity on this market, meaning that only Native American casinos would be able to provide sports betting services. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these plans were stopped, although the tribes were very close to receiving more than enough signatures on their petition. Until a new law passed, Sports betting remains illegal in the state.

Daily Fantasy Sports: and its Status in the State

Similar to other online gambling California choices daily fantasy is with unclear status. Although there was political will back in 2015 to legalize this type of gambling, the Senate didn’t act on the passing of the bill in the required time frame of 18 months. However, this doesn’t mean that DFS isn’t played in the Golden State and some of the operators that are available for Californians are leaders in the field. To name a few of the options, DraftKings is among the top daily fantasy choices, whereas FanDuel DFS is not far behind in terms of popularity. FantasyDraft is a great choice as well.

Poker – The Most Popular Game in CA

Since 2008, the Golden State has tried legalizing online poker, but for one reason or another, this hasn’t happened yet. The main showstopper is the passing of a bill that is suitable for all stakeholders, resulting in the unsuccessful signing of more than six different legislations. Generally speaking, online poker in California is nowhere near being officially legalized. If you wish to play the game in the State of California, you’ll need to visit a licensed card room or tribal casino.

The California Lottery: Numerous Games

More than 30 years have passed since the lottery in California has been legalized through the California State Lottery act of 1984. The main purpose of the passing of this act was for at least 34% of the revenue from this type of gambling to be used for the funding of schools without the need for an increase in taxes. This regulation resulted in more than $34 billion received by public school programs in 33+ years.

When it comes to the online lottery, its future status remains undecided, but for the time being, such draws aren’t allowed in the Golden State. Although the California State Lottery has its website, you still aren’t allowed to buy tickets remotely, and we do hope for this to change soon. One difference between lottery play and other gambling games in the state is the gambling age in California – while most other options require you to be at the age of 21, here you can participate if you are over 18 years old

An Overview of the CA Gambling Market

We’ve mentioned details around the legal status of gambling in the state of California, but in the following section, we’ll provide more insights on the current laws and regulations. Responsible gambling is also another subject that needs to be addressed properly, as many people are facing challenges with the addictions of this character. Last but not least, we’ll have a look at the historical background of the industry as well as interesting facts & famous gamblers in the state!

The Most Important California Gambling Laws

Gambling in the state of CA was unregulated for a long time, but fortunately for players, this came to an end. In 1984, California legalized gambling through the the Gaming Registration Act. Its main purpose being to monitor & regulate card rooms in California. However, the scope of its authority was limited, and the Gambling Control Act was enacted by the Legislature in 1997.

With the start of the new millennium, the need for new California gambling laws increased, and certain amendments had to be made. In the form of permitting Class III gambling (casinos) through amendments in the California Constitution, wagering was allowed on Indian land as long as the Tribe and the Senate run gambling safely and with transparency. Tribal casinos have grown in prominence since the passage of the new law.

Horse racing regulations are also another interesting subject we would like to analyze among gambling laws in California. For the time being, horse betting is the only market legalized offline and online, providing great opportunities for players. It is regulated by the California Horse Racing Board, which is an independent agency looking after the regulation of horse racing and pari-mutuel betting. Apart from that, it is also expected for the racing industry to back the sports betting initiative of tribes for legalizing this type of gambling as well.

When it comes to taxes, the percentage is fixed at 24% for all types of winnings except the ones claimed from lotteries. The gambling age in California depends on the game you play, with lotteries accepting 18-year-olds legally. However, other gambling types such as poker require you to be at the age of 21, which is the most common minimum age requirement at most gambling venues.

Resources for Responsible Gambling

Next in our gambling in California guide, we’ll go through responsible gambling. This is a very sensitive topic for those who are facing challenges with gambling addiction, and that’s why spreading gambling awareness and keeping residents informed about the risks has never been more needed. Fortunately, the Bureau of Gambling Control has joined forces with the Office of Problem Gambling in California with their main goal being to improve and ensure adequate treatment through the available pathological gambling programs.

The California Council on Problem Gambling is also another organization that can help with the responsible gambling mission. It offers full support for gamblers or people with loved-ones that experience gambling issues through various channels such as live chat, direct phone number, or messaging. These services are available 24/7, and gambling treatment professionals will gladly help those who are in need.

The History of Gambling in the State

When we talk about the history of gambling in CA, poker plays a huge role and can’t be left aside. When the Golden State was formed back in 1850, Poker was already quite popular across saloons. However, the other states were prohibiting poker play, and that’s why legislators in California decided to allow the game in a very interesting way!

What they did was to include in the California Constitution poker as a game of skill and not as a game of luck, therefore giving the green light to this type of gambling. After the official acceptance of poker in the state, horse racing followed and was officially regulated in 1933. Fifty years later, the lottery was also allowed, accounting for millions of dollars in state earnings, and not long after that, bingo halls were also made legal.

Famous Gamblers from The State

Each state has famous gamblers, and California is no exception to that. Below we’ve added some of the most recognizable gambling faces who are either residing or have been born in the Golden State. Their accomplishments speak for themselves, and with millions of dollars won, the people we’re about to present to you find their place among the top California gamblers!

Ben Affleck

Yes, you guessed it, we’re talking about the actor. While Mr Affleck might not be among the top 10 gamblers of all time, his love for poker is unconditional. Ben has participated in many tournaments and has total live earnings of $356,400. His biggest accomplishment is a first place in the California State Poker Championship 2004, but he was also seen participating in WSOP events as well. Furthermore, Ben is also entering regular cash games, as well as organizing poker charity events.

Justin Bonomo

Since Bonomo’s hometown is Los Angeles, he makes it on our list of famous gamblers from the Golden State. Justin’s field of expertise is poker, and we must admit that he surely is a player to be feared. With winnings of over $49 million, Bonomo makes the top 10 all-time money list, dethroning Daniel Negreanu from the first place in 2018. Other stats of this exceptional poker pro include 55 WSOP money finishes, 3 WSOP bracelets, and a total of $14,292,554 in WSOP prize money.

Interesting Figures Regarding the State

Did you know that Fallbrook, California is the “Avocado Capital of the World” and holds an annual festival? Have you heard that the largest tree in the world is 275 feet tall and is located in the Sequoia National Park? The Golden State is full of interesting details and fun facts, but apart from them we’ll have a look at the most important statistics of legal gambling in the state of California below:

Famous for its sports teams and summer atmosphere, California is a great state for those who want to permanently feel in vacation mode and experience the west side culture of the United States. However, the Golden State is one of the biggest in the country, and its influence in gambling is expected to grow in the future. We hope that sunny California will become one of the best places for gambling in the United States!

Conclusion: Final Thoughts & Future Outlook

After a brief run-through of the CA gambling options, it’s time for our final verdict. Online gambling in California still has a ways to go before residents can safely rely and trust online casinos and betting sites. Apart from that, sports betting needs to be further legalized, and we do hope that this happens sooner than later. Overall speaking, some steps need to be taken before we see any meaningfull expansion to CA gambling options, but this depends solely on the political will of legislators and the interests of voters.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve done our best to be as proactive as possible in our California gambling review, but still, there might be some questions that have arisen in the process. That’s why after collecting the most popular queries on the subject, we’ve made sure to provide their most anticipated answers in the following lines!