Legalized Gambling In California

Once taxes and management fees are deducted, the pool is divided amongst the winners. In California, parimutuel betting is only allowed in the context of horse racing. Charitable Gambling - In California, legal charitable gambling refers to games of bingo in which the proceeds go to a charity. Oftentimes the games are hosted by the charities. Legal sports betting in Michigan commenced on March 11, 2020, with two Detroit-area casinos launching on the same day. The move came less than three months after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed.

1. Legalizing Gambling In California
2. Legalized Gambling In California Casinos

Although the state is home to some of the world’s biggest major sports league teams, there is currently no legal California sports betting. However, there are many gambling industry stakeholders and lawmakers pushing to bring in-person and mobile sports betting to the state, so legal online sports betting in California may come soon.

As we only recommend players sign up for trustworthy and licensed bookies, we don’t have any sports betting sites to recommend Californians at the moment. Instead, we’ve used this guide to discuss the gambling options that are available in the state, the current laws around sports betting, and the future outlook for the industry.

What Betting Options are Legal for California Residents

Contents

• What Betting Options are Legal for California Residents
• Frequently Asked Questions

While there is no California legal online sportsbook or in-person betting options, residents still have plenty of other gambling options to enjoy. This includes full-scale casino-style gambling at tribal casinos, including table games and slots, a state lottery, horse race betting, and daily fantasy sports.

Is Daily Fantasy Legal in California?

For those wanting to try a good alternative to sports betting, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is almost the only form of legal California online gambling. We say almost because the state neither defines it as legal or illegal, and fantasy sports operators are free to offer the games to Californians without fear of breaking the law.

DFS in CA is offered by a number of operators, including the reputable sports betting sites FanDuel and DraftKings. We recommend trying either of these trusted sportsbooks for DFS as they are the most popular, and allow players to form and wager on fantasy lineups of players from all major sports leagues.

Are there Legal Offshore Sites for California Players

Without an opportunity to sign up for a California legal online sportsbook, many players are turning to offshore betting sites to place bets on sports. As the state doesn’t block residents from using these sites or explicitly ban them, players accessing websites like MyBookie and BetOnline will not be punished for offshore betting.

But just because they are accessible, this doesn’t mean it’s recommended. The problem with these websites is that they are not licensed, and so are therefore not guaranteed to be acting in the best interests of players. Without these regulations that demand bookmakers are safe and fair, players may be at risk when using unlicensed products.

Casinos

CA has a number of world-class tribal casinos that offer the very best in casino gaming. These include classic and video slot machines, table games such as poker, blackjack, and roulette, and more. Many of these casino resorts don’t just offer gambling, but are holiday precincts that provide great entertainment and dining options.

In fact, California is the birthplace of legal Native American casinos. The Supreme Court decision to allow gambling on tribal reservations concerned a dispute between the California government and the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. The Cabazon Indians were victorious and now, more than 30 years later, there are 69 tribal casinos in the state.

Racetrack Betting

Until there is legal online sports betting in CA, residents may be interested in gambling on legal horse racing. The state is home to a number of horse racing tracks, though players are not limited to wagering onsite. There are plenty of off-track betting parlors that take wagers on live races around the country.

Horse race betting is a profitable industry that has earned the state millions since it was first introduced. California is a major hub for these races and is home to the Santa Anita Racecourse and Del Mar Race Track. In some respects, it’s quite similar to sports betting, as it involves wagering on the outcome of a live sporting event.

Card Rooms

Fortunately for poker fans, card rooms are permitted in California, with most being on tribal reservations. There are 69 card rooms in the state, many of which host poker tournaments. This has rendered California as being one of the premier states for hosting professional poker.

Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting

Just because in-person sports betting and legal online sports betting in California is not available, there is no law that forbids players from traveling to other states to wager on sports legally. Fortunately, California sports betting is near to be legalized. This includes the state of Nevada, which is the undisputed mecca of sports betting in the US, if not the world.

Below, we’ve listed three of the closest states that offer legal sports betting that would be well worth a visit.

• Nevada
• Oregon
• Washington

What would Legal Sports Betting in California Look Like

If sports betting was legalized in California, it is expected that the state would become one of the largest sports betting markets in the country. This may not come as a surprise, as some of the most popular teams from every major sports league call the state home, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Francisco 49ers.

Currently, there are a number of political initiatives to bring sports betting to California. A popular initiative is headed by a union of the state’s tribal groups, who wish to be granted exclusive rights to offer sports betting at their casinos. This would mean that no mobile betting would be allowed.

The issue of gaming exclusivity and limiting sports betting to in-person betting has been contested by some non-tribal interests, so the matter is still up in the air. Once it has been resolved, a state gambling authority will be established to oversee the rules and regulations of the industry.

This kind of regulation is important to both players and the state. Licensing bodies ensure that the safest betting sites provide a fair betting experience while protecting at-risk players. Licensing also sets tax rates to profits on gambling, so state coffers will benefit from revenues currently leaking to illegal offshore sites.

What are the California Gambling Laws

California is different from many states in that it does not make gambling in general illegal or legal, but rather makes individual kinds of gambling illegal. As it stands, the gambling industry is hugely profitable for the state. For example, in 2018, card rooms alone generated more than $850 million payouts after deductions.

Native American gambling also turns over around $8 billion a year. For this reason, California gambling laws aren’t too rigid but constantly evolve with the times. Whenever a bill to change the gambling laws is passed by the government, residents must approve of the measures in a statewide ballot.

This process ensures that Californians always have a say in what gambling options they believe are worthy of legalizing. The fact that most gambling options are legal in the state reveals that residents are open to more betting options as long as they are safe.

As the table shows, all forms of legal online sports betting in CA aside from DFS are not legal. However, poker is completely legal in California and has been for more than a century. Racetrack betting too is a popular pastime, though declining attendance has signaled that bettor’s attitudes are shifting.

California’s laws require that players must be over 18 to gamble. However, tribal casinos only allow players above 21 years of age to gamble, as alcohol is served there.

What is the Future of Sports Betting in California?

When it comes to California sports betting, we think it’s pretty safe to assume that legalization is a near certainty. This all comes down to money; with the state being the largest market for DFS in the country, it’s highly likely that it would become one of the most successful legal sport betting states.

When this will happen will just come down to a matter of how the tribes and government agree to regulate the market. For the time being, Californians will need to travel to a nearby neighboring state to place legal bets, or just stick to the huge range of legal gaming options at their disposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have more questions about California’s gambling market and whether or not there are legal sports betting options available? Keep reading to discover our answers to commonly asked questions so that you know all you need to before you consider trying to bet on sports.

Is online gambling and sports betting legal in California?

Sports betting is illegal in California, while online gambling is limited to DFS betting. Even when sports betting is made legal in the state, it’s quite likely that Californians will need to travel to tribal casinos or racetracks to make bets in person.

What is the California legal gambling age?

The minimum gambling age for gambling in California is technically 18, though almost all tribal casinos require that players are above the age of 21 years old.

Are offshore bookmaker sites legal and safe?

The only way players can be sure that they are betting at a safe website is if it is licensed in the jurisdiction they are playing in. As offshore bookmakers aren’t licensed, they may not meet strict requirements that ensure that they aren’t scamming players or targeting younger or problem players.

Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in California?

While there is no legal California sports betting app, both DraftKings and FanDuel can be downloaded to make daily fantasy sports bets. California has the largest market of DFS bettors in the country, and these apps are the most popular due to their sleek design, reputation, and betting options.

California is the most populous state in America, with almost 40 million people living there.

California is sometimes portrayed as having a vacation lifestyle and being carefree. Because of this, it’s hard to believe that any casinos other than tribal ones are prohibited. They also have strict laws regarding race betting, slot machines and other forms of gambling.

One type of gambling that’s completely legal in California, though, is online gambling.

You can learn everything you need to know about California gambling sites on this page.

Online Gambling and California Law

Is Online Gambling Legal in California?

Yes, online gambling is legal in California.

In fact, California laws don’t prohibit, regulate, or ban any type of online gambling. You can feel free to play on any online casino and enjoy your favorite casino or card games that you can’t find in the state.

The only law regarding online gambling in California is the age limit. You must be 21 years or older to legally gamble online.

Can I Get Arrested for Gambling Online in California?

No, but starting an online casino or gambling business in California is illegal – you can definitely get arrested for that.

You can also be arrested if you don’t pay taxes on revenue earned from any online gambling you do.

If you’re just a player and not an owner, and if you pay your taxes, you’re in the clear.

Also On This Page

More Gambling Laws in California

• Casino Games (Legal)
• Slot Machines (Illegal)
• Sports Betting (Legal)
• Racing Betting (Parimutuel Only)
• Lottry (Legal)
• Bingo (Legal With Restrictions)
• Draw Poker (Legal With Restrictions)
• Social Gambling (Illegal)

Section 19801 of The Gambling Control Act says:

“(a)State law prohibits commercially operated lotteries, banked or percentage games, and gambling machines, and strictly regulates parimutuel wagering on horse racing. To the extent that state law categorically prohibits certain forms of gambling and prohibits gambling devices, nothing herein shall be construed, in any manner, to reflect a legislative intent to relax those prohibitions.

(b)The State of California has permitted the operation of gambling establishments for more than 100 years. Gambling establishments were first regulated by the State of California pursuant to legislation which was enacted in 1984. Gambling establishments currently employ more than 20,000 people in the State of California, and contribute more than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) in taxes and fees to California’s government. Gambling establishments are lawful enterprises in the State of California, and are entitled to full protection of the laws of this state.”

Casino games: Legal

California only allows tribal casinos. The tribal casinos usually offer poker, blackjack, bingo, keno, video poker and slot machines.

Card rooms are allowed in California. These are different from casinos because players bet against each other and not the house. These establishments make their money by charging players a fee to play. This often takes the form of a 5% contribution from each pot, which is called the rake.

Card rooms are state regulated, and offer games like poker and pai gow.

Here’s what the State of California Department of Justice says about card rooms:

“All controlled games (pai-gow, poker, etc.) and gaming activities (jackpots, bonuses, tournaments, etc.) must be approved by the Bureau and must comply with local gaming ordinances prior to their play at a licensed gambling establishment within California.”

Slot Machines: Illegal

Slot machines are illegal to own unless they’re antiques. Antique slot machines must be over 25 years old, and must not be used for real money gambling.

Here’s what section 330.7 of the California Law, Regulations, Resource Information says about antique slot machines:

“(a) It shall be a defense to any prosecution under this chapter relating to slot machines, as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 330b, if the defendant shows that the slot machine is an antique slot machine and was not operated for gambling purposes while in the defendant’s possession. For the purposes of this section, the term “antique slot machine” means a slot machine that is over 25 years of age.”

Sports betting: Legal

Betting on sports in California is legal, but accepting bets on sports or bookmaking is illegal.

Here’s what section 337a of the Penal Code says about bookmaking:

“Except as provided in Section 336.9, every person who engages in one of the following offenses, shall be punished for a first offense by imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than one year or in the state prison, or by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both imprisonment and fine:

(1)Pool selling or bookmaking, with or without writing, at any time or place.”

Online sports betting is legal in California. No legal sports book in the United States takes bets online because of the Federal Wire Act. But you can find plenty of online sports books who would be happy to take your action from California. We suggest several trustworthy offshore California gambling sites. You can play at any of them with confidence.

Racing betting: Parimutuel Only

What is parimutuel betting?

It’s when player’s bets are put together in a pool, the taxes and track fees are deducted and the pool is then divided among the winning players.

Here’s what section 19590 of the Business and Professions Code says about wagering on horse racing:

“The board shall adopt rules governing, permitting, and regulating parimutuel wagering on horse races under the system known as the parimutuel method of wagering. Parimutuel wagering shall be conducted only by a person or persons licensed under this chapter to conduct a horse racing meeting or authorized by the board to conduct advance deposit wagering.”

Dog racing is illegal in the state of California.

Lottery: Legal

California has a state regulated lottery that provides a variety of games. A few of these games include SuperLotto Plus and Mega Millions.

Here’s what section 8880.1 of the California Government Code says about the lottery:

“The People of the State of California declare that the purpose of this Act is support for preservation of the rights, liberties and welfare of the people by providing additional monies to benefit education without the imposition of additional or increased taxes. The People of the State of California further declare that it is their intent that the net revenues of the California State Lottery shall not be used as substitute funds but rather shall supplement the total amount of money allocated for public education in California.”

Bingo: Tribal Casinos and Charitable Games Only

You can find regular gambling bingo in approved tribal casinos.

You won’t find regular bingo halls in California–the only approved bingo is when played for charity. Charitable bingo games can only be held once per year, and no cash prizes can be given out.

Here’s what section 19985 of The Gambling Control Act says about nonprofit organization fundraisers:

“(a)Nonprofit organizations provide important and necessary services to the people of the State of California with respect to educational and social services and there is a need to provide methods of fundraising to nonprofit organizations so as to enable them to meet their stated purposes.

(b)The playing of controlled games for the purpose of raising funds by nonprofit organizations is in the public interest.

(c)Uniform regulation for the conduct of controlled games is in the best interests of nonprofit organizations and the people of this state.”

Social Gambling: Illegal

Illegal forms of gambling in California include:

• Faro
• Monte
• Roulette
• Lansquenet
• Rouge et noire
• Rondo
• Tan
• Fan-tan
• Seven-and-a-half
• Twenty-one
• Hokey-pokey

If you’re caught betting in any of these games you can end up paying $1,000 in fines and spending six months in jail.

Here’s what section 330 of the California Gambling Law, Regulations, and Resource Information says about illegal forms of gambling and the punishment for it:

“Every person who deals, plays, or carries on, opens, or causes to be opened, or who conducts, either as owner or employee, whether for hire or not, any game of faro, monte, roulette, lansquenet, rouge et noire, rondo, tan, fan-tan, seven-and a-half, twenty-one, hokey-pokey, or any banking or percentage game played with cards, dice, or any device, for money, checks, credit, or other representative of value, and every person who plays or bets at or against any of those prohibited games, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punishable by a fine not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment.”

Draw Poker: Legal With Restrictions

California counties that have more than 4 million residents prohibit draw poker.

Here’s what section 337 of the California Law, Regulations, and Resource Information says about it:

“(a) This section applies only in counties with a population exceeding 4,000,000. (b) Every person who deals, plays, or carries on, opens, or causes to be opened, or who conducts, either as owner or employee, whether for hire or not, any game of draw poker, including lowball poker, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(e) The Legislature finds that in counties with a large, concentrated population, problems incident to the playing of draw poker are, in part, qualitatively, as well as quantitatively, different from the problems in smaller counties. The Legislature finds that counties with a population exceeding 4,000,000 constitute a special problem, and it is reasonable classification to adopt prohibitory legislation applicable only to such counties.”

Gambling Venues in California

65 active tribal casinos and 94 gaming establishments or card rooms operate in California.

Here are some of the current tribal casinos in the state:

1) Win-River Casino

2100 Redding Rancheria Road

Redding, California 96001-5530

2) Winnedumah Winn’s Casino

135 South Highway 395

Independence, California 93526

3) Table Mountain Casino

8184 Table Mountain Road

Friant, California 93626 800-541-3637

4) Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino

17225 Jersey Avenue

Lemoore, California 93245-9760

5) San Pablo Lytton Casino

13255 San Pablo Ave

San Pablo, CA 94806

6) Santa Ysabel Resort and Casino

25575 Highway 79 PO Box 600

Santa Ysabel, California 92070

7) Red Fox Casino & Bingo

200 Cahto Drive

Laytonville, California 95454

8) Red Hawk Casino

1 Red Hawk Boulevard

Placerville, CA 95667

9) Paiute Palace Casino

2742 North Sierra Highway

Bishop, California 93514

10) Pala Casino Spa Resort

11154 Highway 76

Pala, California 92059

History of Gambling in California

Horse race betting becomes legal at six tracks and many offtrack betting establishments.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act helps bring casino gambling business to California by forming compacts with over 50 tribes. The tribes start their casinos with bingo-style games.

Casino gambling is fully legalized on tribal land. Individual compacts are formed with each tribe to agree on the type and number of games the casinos can run.

Horse race betting online is officially legalized for California residents.

Attempts to regulate online poker are put before the California Senate. They fail.

Another attempt to regulate online poker is put before the California Senate. They fail again.

Additional Resources

California’s Gambling Future

Brick and mortar establishments are pushing heavily for state regulated online gambling. Because of the large population, having state regulated gambling would allow huge online tournaments and promotions at California gambling sites.

Legalizing Gambling In California

One setback of the state regulated online gambling is the tribal casinos. The tribal casinos have run casino gambling in California for years, so they want to be responsible for online gambling too.

Legalized Gambling In California Casinos

Aside from regulating online gambling, we don’t foresee much change in the California gambling law. You can find plenty of casinos and card rooms throughout the state. The state lottery and horse racing venues aren’t going anywhere soon, either.