Status of California sports betting
đ Is sports betting legal in California? | No |
đ Anticipated launch? | Possibly 2025 |
đ±Expected CA sportsbooks | DraftKings, Caesars, ESPN Bet, BetMGM |
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Last updated | December 2024 |
Another year is complete, marking another trip around the sun with little to no progress in the realm of legal California sports betting.
Following Prop 26 and Prop 27 (33% and 17.7% voted âYes,â respectively) failing to come remotely close to passing in California in November 2022, 2023 was another quiet year for the state.
The good news is that California sports betting will inevitably go live at some point - itâs just a matter of time. Letâs take a look at what to expect when that happens, what sports betting sites could launch, what promos to expect, and more.
Best California sports betting sites
With the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May 2018, regulated sports betting companies flooded the United States market.
Below are a few of the best California betting sites you can expect to see when sports betting goes live.
đ DraftKings California | â Best CA betting site overall |
đ FanDuel California | â Most popular betting site in the US |
đ Caesars California | â Large welcome offers & ongoing promos |
đ Fanatics California | â User-friendly site & good odds |
đ ESPN Bet California | â Flexible parlay options |
đ BetMGM California | â Great loyalty program |
Is online sports betting legal in CA?
No, online sports betting is not legal in California, as sports betting legislation has not yet been put in place.
Despite their enormous population, which leans liberal on many issues, the voting population has yet to show much interest in sports betting legalization.
Are there any active bills to legalize sports betting in California?
No, there are currently no active bills to legalize sports betting in the Golden State. The most recent bills, Prop 26 and 27, failed to pass in November 2022, with neither coming close to passing the 50% threshold.
Prop 26 was proposed to legalize retail sports betting operations at tribal casinos and the stateâs race tracks, with no online sports betting involved. Prop 27 was proposed for private operators, such as BetMGM or Caesars, to partner with the tribal casinos to offer online sports betting.
While there is nothing on the table, November 2024 would be the next opportunity for Californians to vote to legalize sports betting.
How will you be able to sign up for an online betting site in CA?
When California sports betting does go live, bettors will want to be sure they know how to sign up for online betting. Using FanDuel Sportsbook, as an example, letâs look at the few steps you will need to take to get involved immediately.
Are there any retail betting venues in California?
No, there are currently no retail betting venues in California to bet on sports. Prop 26, which failed to pass in the November 2022 California election cycle, would have allowed retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos and select race tracks in the state.
Unfortunately for California sports betting enthusiasts, it received just 32% âYesâ votes.
Popular sports teams to wager on in California
When California sports betting does eventually go live, all of the stateâs teams will be featured for residents to bet on. Letâs take a look at a few of the most popular.
Can you play Daily Fantasy Sports in California?
Yes, you are allowed to playDaily Fantasy Sports in California, with DFS being legal in the state.
In terms of the leaders in the space, the DraftKings California and FanDuel CA DFS platforms stand alone at the top of the heap.
What bet types will probably be available on betting sites in CA?
With the eventual launch of California sports betting, bettors in the state will want to make sure they know the key bet types that will be available to them. Here are a few of the most common:
With the eventual launch of California sports betting pending, there are certain California sportsbook promos all bettors will want to be aware of on day one. Here are a few:
Tips when wagering on online sports betting sites in CA when they go live
No one wants to be a loser when California sports betting does go live, and since you will be new to the activity, you might be wondering where to start. Here are a few tips to gain an edge when it comes to online sports betting in CA on day one.
Payment methods that will be available at sportsbooks in California
Letâs take a look at a few of the payment methods expected to be available at California sportsbooks when they hit the market.
Deposit
Criteria we will use to rank sports betting sites in CA
Operators will flock to the California sports betting licensing race when legal sports betting becomes available in the state.
Weâll be quick to rank each and every one of them as soon they go live. Here are the criteria we will use to rank the best sports betting sites in CA.
Pros and cons of online betting in CA vs. in-person betting
One of the sticking points of sports betting in California was whether to make it online or in-person, or both. While neither passed in 2022, letâs look at the pros and cons of both.
Pros & cons of online sports betting
Pros
Should you bet at offshore betting sites in California?
No, you should not bet at offshore betting sites in California for a number of reasons. First and foremost, because they are not registered companies in the United States. As a result, any disputes you have with them financially are handled in the local jurisdiction of the siteâs servers (often in Central America or Europe).
Because they are offshore and not registered in the U.S., you will have to use untraditional payment methods such as cryptocurrency to transact on the site, getting money both on and off of it.