Online sports betting in California

Table of contents

One of the most sought-after pursuits is online sports betting in California. Many residents of the Golden State have expressed their enthusiasm to participate in online wagering on social media platforms and other forums. The state legislature is making good speed towards delivering this eventuality in the short run. Meanwhile, leading sports betting apps are also following the progress keenly. Find out more about the state of online wagering below.

No, online sports betting in California is not legal yet. There are, however, pending pieces of legislation that are heading toward becoming law. For instance, a tribal initiative known as Proposition 26, seeking land-based casinos and racetrack betting, is heading for the vote. Another initiative is the California online wagering measure, which leading sportsbooks in the US support. The initiative has a sufficient number of signatures for a vote. Hopefully, after this, there will be a more positive outcome. We will examine this further later in the article.

Best online sports betting sites in California

There are some leading sportsbooks in California. They have established a reputation for offering exemplary services to their customers. Moreover, they are highly reliable and trustworthy. The sites also have well-established dispute resolution services whenever problems arise between them and the customers. Here are the leading sportsbooks in the Golden State.

  • DraftKings California: This is one of the best sportsbooks in the United States. It is reputable and well-established. You can access it both on PC and mobile platforms. It has a large sports market that includes games in the United States and across the globe. So, you can as easily bet on the Super Bowl as the English Premier League soccer. DraftKings has attractive bonuses and odds that keep many customers coming. Among the leading bonuses is an attractive welcome package for all who register for the first time. The CA sportsbook aims to retain its customers through continuous promotions and loyalty programs, with relative success. What’s more, a major point for this sportsbook is the speedy payout of winnings and great customer care services. Finally, it is one of the sportsbooks that started off as a daily fantasy sports site. Consequently, there is a wide variety of DFS for enthusiasts to indulge in. DraftKings is, therefore, one of the best options for online sports betting in California.
  • FanDuel California: Another leading sportsbook in the country, FanDuel also started off as a DFS site. It has developed into a fully-fledged sportsbook with attractive bonuses, high odds, fast payments, and great support services. The sports market on FanDuel is also very diverse. Consequently, you are most likely to find a game you wish to bet on. The sportsbook also offers a wide range of payment options, which is convenient for its wide variety of customers. There is a well-developed FanDuel mobile app as well. It definitely ranks among the leading sportsbooks for online sports betting in California.
  • PointsBet California: This sportsbook stands out for its points betting approach. In points betting, you predict the point differences between competing teams. The winning margin varies with the accuracy of your prediction. However, PointsBet is also famous for its fast payouts, sign up bonuses, and regular promotions. Its customer support services are quite reliable as well. The choice of games to bet on and many payment options are other attractive features. You will find a mobile version of this site if you prefer to bet on the move. It is one of the sportsbooks to check out for online sports betting in California.
  • BetMGM California: A big sportsbook with a background in one of the leading media organizations, BetMGM is one of the leaders in the sports betting sphere. Big odds and very attractive bonuses are a regular sight on BetMGM. You will also get a large sports market available on the site. The site is high-tech with regular updates. Therefore, it runs smoothly both on PC and mobile. BetMGM is definitely one of the names to consider when choosing a site for online gambling in California.

How to create an account and start playing at a sports betting site in CA

Creating an account at a sports betting site in CA and beginning to play is a straightforward process. There are only a few steps you have to go through, and you will be good to go. Here are those steps.

1. Our list of California betting sites allows you to choose one that suits your needs

The list on this site follows thorough research on what is available in terms of betting sites. Only the very best make the list. The sites discussed above are the most reliable and secure to bet on. These sites will not tolerate fraudulent deals. They are reputable sites that will keep your money safe and hand it over to you as soon as you want it. Additionally, they have reliable customer support that will respond to your issues and resolve them in the shortest possible time. Consequently, you would do well to pick one of them and register, for the purposes of your sports betting.

2. Make your payment choice based on what works best for you

Another advantage you will find on the sites discussed above is the variety of payment methods that they offer. You are not likely to miss the payment method that suits you best. Once you get your preferred method, you should proceed to select and activate it. Some methods will require you to link your bank account to the sportsbook payment method. Others will require you to enter your email address. Whatever the case, you should do what is necessary and get the payment method functional.

3. Enter the required personal information

You can open a form by tapping on the registration tab. This form will require you to enter your personal details, including your name, email address, password, and some form of identification. Next, enter all the information carefully, so that you don’t waste any time with the verification process if required to do so. Another important thing to remember when registering is to enter a promo code if you have one. The promo code will trigger the welcome bonus on the offer. You should do this immediately so that you don’t miss out on the offer. After you are through with the registration, you will finally be a member of the sportsbook.

4. Make a real-money deposit

At this point, you will now have the opportunity to make your first deposit. You should make sure you have enough money to make the minimum deposit required. This information will be readily available on the site, so you will know the amount necessary. After you make the deposit, you will be ready to proceed to the next step. It is important to note that your first deposit may also trigger a certain type of welcome bonus. For instance, deposit-match bonuses become live by putting cash in your first amount.

5. Start betting online

Finally, it’s time to begin betting away after making your first deposit. You will be well advised to observe caution, especially when making your first wager. Put in a small amount at a time instead of throwing caution to the wind in a happy-go-lucky maximum wager spree. In any case, reserving some of your money will enable you to bet later without having to make a fresh deposit every time. Also, beware of wagering requirements that enable you to trigger certain bonuses. These wagering plans encourage you to bet more and more in order to unlock rewards. If you don’t have sufficient money to participate without going broke, avoid these altogether.

What is the current status of the legalization of online sports betting in California?

As mentioned, sports betting is not yet legal in California, either online or in real-world sportsbooks. However, there are signs of change coming by the beginning of 2023. One of the positive signs is that Native American tribes have petitioned the legislature to establish retail sportsbooks in the state. This petition seems to be attracting a positive response from state legislators.

Online sports betting legislation is also making positive progress. There is an ongoing petition which now has the requisite number of signatures from California residents. BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings are spearheading the petition. Unfortunately, online sports betting in California is still not getting a very warm reception from the legislature. Hopefully, the sheer desire of state residents to begin betting online will overcome this reluctance when the two applications go to the vote. For the moment, it is a matter of waiting and seeing.

If things go as expected, pro-betting legislation should go through and allow online sports betting in California by January 2023 or thereabouts. In the meantime, it remains ironic that a sports giant in the United States such as California is also the one without any sports betting going on. Just think of names such as the Golden State Warriors, LA Dodgers, and LA Galaxy. This will most likely resolve itself soon since the state will definitely attract a lot of revenue from sports betting. That is because there are so many big sports teams to bet on in the state. Gamblers from other states regularly place big bets on these very sports giants.

What professional sports teams does California have?

As stated earlier, California is the home of many sporting giants, which not only participate in various leagues but dominate them as well. You can hardly talk about any major sport in the US without mentioning at least one team from CA. Therefore, you don’t have to search far to find a team to bet on in the Golden State. Here are some of the leading names in the sports arena.

  • Los Angeles Kings (Hockey): One of the best-known names in the NHL, Los Angeles Kings competes in the Western Conference, Pacific Division. The team has a long list of achievements, including winning the Stanley Cup twice (2012 and 2014) and the conference championships three times (1993, 2012, and 2014). Due to its great success since its founding in 1966 and inclusion in the NHL a year later, the team has a large following in the state and nationally. So, it attracts a lot of bets from California and beyond. It is an interesting prospect for online sports betting in California.
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (Baseball): Another renowned name, the Los Angeles Dodgers, participates in the MLB under the National League Western Division. The team has won the world series seven times between 1955 and 2020. It has a long list of star players who have made a lasting mark on the game of baseball since it was founded in 1883. The dodgers have produced 11 MVPs in the national league since its founding. The team was initially based in Brooklyn, New York, before moving to its current location in Los Angeles in 1958. They eventually settled in the Dodgers Stadium in 1962.
  • San Francisco 49ers (Football): The San Francisco 49ers are as big a name as they come in the NFL. Founded in 1946, the team won five Super Bowls between 1982 and 1995. The 49ers have produced many renowned players over the years with notable contributions to the game. Undoubtedly, they have had their ups and downs. Their form in recent years is not their historical best. Still, they are a tough team for any opponent. On their day are capable of bringing down any challenger. This makes them a great team to wager on in online sports betting in California.
  • Golden State Warriors (Basketball): This is definitely one of the leading names in NBA history. The Warriors came into existence in 1946, originally in Philadelphia. They won the first title of the Basketball Association of America (BAA). In 1949 the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) thus creating the NBA. The Golden State Warriors have since won six NBA titles and reached many other playoffs. The team is one of the most popular sports teams in the US, due to its great success. Among other achievements, it has set records such as the most consecutive wins (12) to open the playoffs. Due to the large following the team enjoys, it attracts many bets whenever it plays. It is, therefore, one of the best prospects for online sports betting in California.
  • LA Galaxy (Soccer): This is one of the biggest soccer teams in the US, and arguably the most recognized US team in the sport across the world. Undoubtedly, LA Galaxy is a major target for online sports betting in California. It has experienced great success in the MLS since it started participating. The team’s inception was in 1995, and it has played a major role in the rapid popularization of soccer in the US. Moreover, it has produced several national team players for the US. The team won the MLS Cup five times between 2002 and 2014. It is one of the teams many people bet on with confidence in US soccer.

Does California have any major league women’s teams?

Yes, there are three outstanding women’s teams in the state. They have their own level of achievements in their various leagues that have made a mark in sporting competitions. Below are the three leading teams in this regard.

  • Los Angeles Sparks (Basketball): This is one of the big teams in the Western Conference of the Women’s National Basketball Association. The team has existed since 1997, shortly before the founding of the WNBA. They won three consecutive conference titles between 2001 and 2003. Above all, it has produced notable names in women’s basketball in the US. It is a great prospect for wagers in online sports betting in California.
  • Angel City FC (Soccer): In soccer, Angel City FC is another notable name. It is also one of the most recognized names in women’s sports. The team is one of the expansion teams in the National Women’s Soccer League. It began participating in that league in 2022. Now, it is making a mark in the sport in the rich tradition of California teams. Going forward, it will definitely be one of the teams to wager on in online sports betting in California.
  • San Diego Wave FC (Soccer): This is another soccer team that has been included in the Women’s League in 2022. It has already made a mark in the league and will be offering great entertainment going forward. It is a team to watch out for, especially for enthusiasts of online sports betting in California.

Can you bet on Daily Fantasy Sports in California?

Yes and no. There is no law allowing Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in California, but there is no law that prohibits it either. Furthermore, there are some sportsbooks that are experts in the DFS field such as FanDuel and DraftKings. However, they don’t currently have licenses to offer DFS betting. Conversely, they are not prohibited either. It is expected that DFS will be legalized along with other types of sports betting in the near future. Before that happens, there is no legal action possible at this time for taking part in DFS. That is because there is no legal basis on which such action can be taken.

There are a number of bet types available for you to choose from. Each bet type offers its own level of risk and reward. You can try out the different types of bets to have an experience of each. To do that, it is important to understand how each works. Here are the most common ones.

  • Straight bets: This is an individual bet on a single outcome for a sporting event. It can be a Moneyline, which is explained below. However, it can also be a point spread. This means that you can predict how many points a team will win. This is usually by indicating more than (+) or less than (-) a certain number of points.
  • Common line bets: A common line occurs when a bookmaker handicaps a game. If the bookmaker believes that a team will lose by more than four points, then he gives you two options. You can bet that the team will lose by less than 4 points (-4). If your prediction is right, then you will win. This type of betting is very common in North America.
  • Parlay bets: These are several bets combined into one. If, for instance, there are 10 soccer games in a single day, you can combine several Moneyline (see below) bets into one wager. This means you can predict the outcomes of all the games and place a single bet on all those predictions. The main advantage of parlay bets is that the odds for each of the games are multiplied together. This greatly increases them. Conversely, the main disadvantage is that if one prediction goes wrong, then you lose the lot.
  • Moneyline bets: These are the oldest and simplest types of bets available. It is a simple matter of win, lose or draw. If you predict a win for a team and it wins, then you get your prize. The same applies to predicting a draw. Professional bettors don’t like simple Moneyline bets, because their rewards are relatively low. However, they are very popular with new bettors since they are fairly straightforward and easy to comprehend.
  • Head-to-head bets: These are money lines with only two instead of three predictions. It is either team A that wins, or team B wins. Since these are the only options available, you simply pick one or the other.
  • Teaser bets: This is the type of bet that allows you to change your prediction over the course of a game. This means that once you have watched the game for some time, you can change your precision of the outcome. This makes it easier to win, but the odds also reduce.

The following sports events are popular with residents of California. They are among the most anticipated each year.

  • Auto Club 400 (Nascar): This is a 400-mile Nascar motor vehicle race that takes place annually at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. It is very popular with California motoring enthusiasts.
  • BNP Paribas Open (Tennis): This is an annual tennis event held annually at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. It is another popular event to look forward to in California.
  • Sea Otter Classic (Cycling): Another much-loved annual event in the California sporting calendar, the Sea Otter Classic cycling race is held at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey. It attracts viewers in the thousands every year.
  • Vans U.S. Open (Surfing): This week-long surfing event is held every summer at Huntington Beach. It is another event with a huge following.
  • AT&T Pebble Beach National (Golf): The game of golf is widely followed in California. The AT&T golfing competition in Pebble Beach is therefore a widely followed event. It is also in the national golfing calendar in the US, giving it a large national following.

FAQ

When will online sports betting become legal in California?

Most likely, sports betting in-person and online will become legal in early 2023. This is because the state legislature will be betting on some petitions by residents at that time. One of the petitions is led by the tribal councils who want retail sportsbooks. The other is led by sportsbooks that wish to operate online sports betting. Hopefully, when the votes are taken there will be an urgent movement toward legalizing sports betting.

How can you bet on sports in California?

At the moment you cannot legally bet on sports in California. Although some of the residents indulge in off-shore betting, this is illegal and insecure. You are not protected by any law if you indulge in this kind of betting. Nevertheless, you can participate in DFS betting without breaking any law. Note that this kind of betting is still not official either.

Are there currently any live online sports betting sites in CA?

No, there are no online sports betting sites or CA betting apps that are officially live in the state. There are offshore sites that operate in neighboring states, but they are not legal in CA. You are therefore not allowed to bet from within the borders of California. It is possible that online sports betting in California will be a reality one day. Before then, no sportsbooks are live in the state.

How old do I have to be to place a bet at a betting site in CA?

The minimum age for legal betting that applies in California is 21. This is the federally sanctioned age for participating in betting in the US. Since there are no laws that guide sports betting in California itself, it is this federal law that applies. Remember that sports betting is generally legal in the USA.

Can you bet on horse racing in California?

Yes, it's completely legal to bet on horse racing in California. It has been legal since 1933 when the California Horse Racing Board was established and made the sports event legal for CA residents.

Are there any retail sports betting locations in California?

No, there are no retail sports betting locations in California. These can only come into existence once laws allowing betting pass in the state legislature. As with other forms, there is legislation pending.