Sports Betting In California
With all of the gaming options in the state, it may seem surprising that there are no land-based outlets for sports betting in California. While federal laws cleared and allowed the Golden State to establish their own sportsbooks, state legislators still haven’t taken advantage of legal California sports betting. Although, residents still have other opportunities for sports betting that do not require an expensive trip to Las Vegas. Online sportsbooks allow bettors to wager on any of the 15-plus sports teams that are based in California. All of the sites are based in other countries but licensed to accept CA residents, which means they are completely safe to use and outside of federal or state influence. If you are new to online sports betting or just want more information about how to bet online, we can assist you.
While the state has yet to launch any state-licensed online betting options, there are options while we wait. This page will give you the basics of Cali sports betting, specifically betting on sports online. You will learn useful information about banking at online sportsbooks, the teams you can bet on, age requirements, and so much more. There are also recommendations for the best online sports betting sites that accept California residents.
Does California Have Legal Land Based Sports Betting?
Almost half of all U.S. states have regulated land-based sports betting. Unfortunately, California isn’t one of them. In fact, on June 13, 2014, a bill failed to pass the California State Senate that would have legalized land-based sports betting facilities. The same effort was repeated in 2019 and 2022 but met with the same results. For now, the best option for Cali residents looking to wager on sports in-person would be going to neighboring Nevada which has no restrictions on sports gambling.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal In California?
With such a rich market of potential sports bettors, people are constantly asking if online sports betting in California is legal. The answer to that is a definite yes, only if you’re using the proper sites. Online sportsbooks based out of California have not been approved yet and using online sportsbooks based in other states is not allowed. This means the only option is to use online sports betting sites that are regulated in other countries.
If you are a sports betting enthusiast in California, the fact that these sites are regulated elsewhere is actually a good thing. This means there is zero chance of you getting in trouble for wagering on real-money sports betting sites unless that is, you are actually operating your own platform. With no online sportsbook laws being passed in CA, using sites like the ones featured here will be the only option for legal sports betting in California for the foreseeable future.
Facts About Legal Online Sports Betting In California
- More people bet on sports in California than any other state.
- No California residents have ever been arrested for simply betting sports online.
- Online gambling is unregulated in California, but regulated sites outside the country still serve CA residents.
- There are more than 25 online sports betting sites that accept California residents.
California Sports Betting Laws + Statutes
We want to make sure that you have all the resources you need when researching legal sports betting in California. So, we went ahead and did some of the work for you by listing links to all of the California sports betting laws and online gambling statutes that are important. In summation, there aren’t any laws that outright ban the use of online sportsbooks that are regulated in other countries. Instead they simply outlaw the operation of unlicensed sportsbooks in CA.
Which Sports Betting Sites Accept California Residents?
All of the leading online sports betting sites accept CA residents. They offer betting odds on every Cali-based team, along with hundreds of others. Lawmakers have not drafted any legislation that would ban offshore sports betting. If you are in the market to wager online then we've got just what you're needing right here! Look just below as many of the most trusted California betting sites are listed and a few of the best are even reviewed!
Bovada Sportsbook - SoCal, NorCal + Everywhere Between Welcome To Bet Here!!!
Bovada's online sportsbook is not only one of the biggest California sports betting sites, it is also one of the best. The company that owns Bovada is one of the most trusted gambling companies online and they have been in business for almost 20 years now.
Signing up for an account is fast and easy and they accept all California residents. New players that sign up for an account will get an instant 50% match bonus up to $250 on the very first deposit they make.
As one of the leading online sports gambling websites in the state for more than 15 years, we are confident that Bovada California users are fulfilled when betting on the best teams in their favorite sportsbook.
SportsBetting's Sportsbook - Make Wagers On All Major Professional + Amateur Sports Leagues
Another one of our favorite Cali sports betting sites is the one found at SportsBetting. This online sportsbook is owned and operated by the same company that owns several of the biggest brands and for that reason alone they are among the most trusted sportsbooks online. Signing up for a new account and making a deposit is extremely easy and very profitable as SportsBetting is known for giving away some of the biggest deposit bonuses available anywhere on the Internet. In our dealings with this website, we have heard nothing but good things from our visitors and we are confident that anyone wanting to wager on sports in California can turn here for a safe betting environment.
BetOnline Sportsbook - New First Deposit Bonus + Lifetime Bonus Each Good To $1K
Another one of the leading online sportsbooks that accept California sports bettors is BetOnline and it's a name you're going to want to remember. As a trusted member of the online sports gambling community for more than 15+ years, BetOnline has done a wonderful job establishing one of the best reputations in the business which is a quality that should not be undervalued.
Known for having big deposit bonuses, tons of betting lines, and very fast payouts after when users request payment, BetOnline figures to a dominant force for many years to come. Beyond that their site has one of the easiest betting interfaces found online and even the betting novice should have no issue.
Overall, we know for a fact that BetOnline is as solid as sportsbooks come and we have no reservations about putting our name behind website by reccomending it to our visitors.
Top California Sports Betting Sites
Does California Allow Pari-Mutuel Betting?
California has other gambling options outside of online sports betting, too. Pari-mutuel wagering is much more common and accepted in the U.S. compared to casino and sports betting at this time, and California is no exception. The state has more than a dozen pari-mutuel tracks, including one in Fresno, Sacramento, Stockton, and all along the coast.
It is also interesting to note that California is the state where greyhound racing was invented. Unfortunately, there are no live tracks in California. There are a handful of simulcast betting options, however, which allow you to bet on thoroughbred and greyhound racing around the U.S.
Other Types Of Gambling Available In California
Cali is a great state to be in, though the overall gambling culture for sports betting in California is not as evolved as one might think. To begin with, there are no full-fledged land-based casinos (commercial or tribal) in the state. Instead tribes have slots in their venues and card rooms are scattered throughout the state. It is difficult for states to pass legislation in today’s economy, though the rise of online gambling may be the answer for in-state residents. There are more and more legal sports betting states coming in the near future.
Not only is sports gambling legal in California, but the state also has a lottery and plenty of bingo halls. Other than this, it is unlikely that California will open any all-inclusive commercial casinos within the next few years due to the 2013 gambling bill that failed to pass. For now, though, online sports gambling is the definite way to go unless you live very close to the California/Nevada border.
How Old Do I Have To Be To Bet Sports Online In California?
In California, you have to be 21 or older to bet sports online. The sports betting age stems from the legal gambling age in CA, which is why bettors should always abide by the stipulation. There may be instances where a sportsbook accepts players at age 18, but keep in mind that the site is based overseas. As a CA sports bettor, you will need to wait until your 21st birthday to join to avoid the risk of betting while underage. Underage sports betting can result in the suspension of your account and forfeiture of funds. We believe that every resident should be able to bet on sports online responsibly, so always stick to the legal sports betting age.
What Teams Can I Bet On In California?
Legal California sports betting is perhaps more exciting than it is in any other state due to the large number of professional and collegiate teams that call CA home. Aside from quantity, the quality of the sports teams in CA are also superior to those of other states. In the realm of collegiate sports, the USC Trojans have claimed 11 national titles and 38 conference titles. The UCLA Bruins basketball team is perhaps the best in the country, with the team winning a record 11 NCAA Men’s Div I Basketball Championships. When it comes to professional sports, there are teams to represent the NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, and MLB. Although you can bet on any sport and any team of your choosing at online sportsbooks, we have compiled a list of the most popular sports teams to bet on in California.
College:
- UCLA Bruins
- USC Trojans
- Stanford Cardinal
- UC Berkeley Golden Bears
Professional:
- Los Angeles Angels (MLB)
- San Francisco Giants
- LA Dodgers
- Oakland A's
- San Diego Padres
- Golden State Warriors (NBA)
- Sacramento Kings
- LA Lakers
- LA Clippers
- Oakland Raiders (NFL)
- LA Chargers
- San Francisco 49'ers
- LA Rams (NFL)
- San Jose Sharks
- Anaheim Ducks
- LA Kings
- LA Galaxy (MLS)
- San Jose Earthquakes
- LA Sparks (WNBA)
- Sacramento Monarchs
Is Betting Real Money Online Safe?
Betting real money online is safe when you use legit Cali online sports betting sites. Any online sportsbook that we recommend has been in the industry for years and has developed a reputation as a trustworthy sports betting site. The latest technology and encryption protocols are implemented in order to protect all of your financial transactions. This means that anytime you enter your bank account or credit card information, it is over a secure network. Online sports betting cashiers actually work harder than the typical online site to ensure your safety. When you use certain banking methods such as the e-currency Bitcoin, there is no need to enter any financial information which makes the entire process that much safer. Whether you use a credit card, check, or bank wire transfer, online sports betting sites make sure that your personal info is protected. US-friendly sports betting websites such as BetOnline and SportsBetting have the most reliable options for betting real money online.
Why Was My Credit Card Declined At SportsBetting?
When you use a credit card at an online sportsbook for sports betting in California, there may be occasions where your card gets declined. The sportsbook cashier is not declining your card, it is your bank or card issuer that is blocking the transaction. The reason is because of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) that requires US financial institutions to prohibit all transactions related to online gambling. Though online sports betting sites have started to work with financial processors that have higher credit card success rates, there may still be instances where your card gets declined. This is why online sportsbooks offer California residents a wide variety of reliable banking methods to choose from.