California voters rejected Propositions 26 and 27, but that does not end the debate over California sports betting. While the sportsbooks and tribes behind the 2 initiatives are figuring out what is next, the floor is for the time being left for illegal and unlicensed sportsbooks.
For now, Californians can still bet on horse races and sign up with one of the daily fantasy sports providers. If you are close to the state broader, you can choose to do some out-of-state betting (Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon have regulated sports betting in some form). We offer a complete guide of all the information you need to know about legal online betting in California, including DFS and CA horse racing betting.
Online betting on sports and casinos is prohibited in California except for horse racing and daily fantasy betting at racetracks and betting parlors.
While online betting in California as a whole is not legal, there are exceptions. Residents are able to bet on horse racing in person and through websites at the racetrack and betting parlors. Californians can also play daily fantasy games as the practice is legal and leading operators are active in the region.
Betting in commercial casinos is prohibited within the borders of the Golden State, although tribal-based casinos are present, offering card and table-based games. There have been calls to ease the regulations on betting in California, but for now, the current legislature remains in place.
Expected California Online Betting Promos
| Sportsbooks | Expected Welcome Bonuses for California |
| BetRivers California | $500 Second Chance Bet, use code USBTRV |
| BetMGM | Up to $1,000 first-bet insurance |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Up to $1,250 back on your first bet |
| DraftKings | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus. Or up to a $1000 deposit match bonus |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $200 No Matter What promo |
| Barstool Sportsbook | $1,000 No sweat first bet |
| Unibet | Offer new customers up to $250 in a risk-free bet after sign-up |
Betting Bonuses in California
Betting bonuses are restricted to online websites that allow horse racing betting and daily fantasy sites in California. As daily fantasy sites are legal in the Golden State, all major operators are active and will offer bonuses to entice customers onto their platforms over their rivals.
Top Three Offers in California
The top three offers in California come from TVG, MonkeyKnifeFight, and Yahoo DFS. They offer the kinds of generous sign-up bonuses and first-deposit bonuses typical of many online sports betting providers.
Top Betting Sites in California
The best sites available to bet within California are:
- TVG – Offers betting odds on horse racing at a competitive value for their customers, with solid bonus offers.
- TwinSpires – Allows bets on a wide range of horse races providing good value on their betting odds.
- FanDuel – Provides one of the best fantasy games on the market, with bonus deals for regular users.
Online betting is not legal in California; therefore residents do not have access to leading sites for sports and online gambling. Californians utilize betting websites for gambling on horse racing at the track and when playing daily fantasy games.
Most Likely California Online Sportsbook Sites
Below we have assessed which sportsbooks are most likely to launch first in the Golden State when a sports betting bill has been passed by California voters.
- Barstool Sportsbook
- BetMGM
- Betfred
- Caesars Sportsbook
- DraftKings
- Fanduel
- Hard Rock
- Poinsbet
- SI Sportsbook
- Superbook
Top CA Betting Apps
The best apps are from daily fantasy providers.
DraftKings – Has an excellent user interface that allows simple navigation around the app. It’s available for both iOS and Android users.
MoneyKnifeFight – Provides good bonus offers and a diverse range of games for their users. This is also readily available for iOS and Android devices.
As sports and casino betting is not regulated in California, there is not much choice with betting apps.
Top Land-based Sportsbooks in California
No land-based sportsbooks operate in the Golden State due to sports betting being prohibited. There are betting parlors away from the racetrack allowing you to bet on horse racing in California, but there are no plans to open land-based sportsbooks or casinos to accept wagers on other sports.
Professional Teams in California
California has several professional sports teams. In the NBA, there are the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings. The Rams and the Chargers and 49ers from the NFL. The MLB boasts the Athletics, Giants, Dodgers, Angels, and Padres, and the NHL’s Kings, Ducks, and Sharks.
California Sports Betting FAQ
You cannot place a wager on a sports bet or use an online casino in California. Only pari-mutuel bets on horse racing and daily fantasy sites are permitted.
Yes. Bonuses are available from websites that cater to horse racing betting and from daily fantasy sites.
You must be 18 or over to place a legal bet on horse racing in California.
The legal betting age for horse racing betting in California is 18. Daily fantasy sites also require users to be 18 or over to register on their platforms. Casinos in the region stipulate that their customers must be at least 21 to play in their venues.
Californians do have to pay taxes on their betting winnings. You must report the amount you have attained through betting on your tax returns. Californians may have to pay as much as 13.3% on their winnings depending on the amount gained.