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California online casinos

Unlock the secrets of California online casinos with our all-encompassing guide! Learn about the legal landscape, anticipated top-tier casinos, and the ins and outs of signing up. From exclusive promos and bonus codes to a sneak peek into future game offerings, we've got your ticket to California's online gambling world.

Johnny Covers By: Johnny Covers
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Table of contents

Despite the fact that it is a blue state with one of the largest populations (38.2 million in 2021) in the United States, California continues to make a name for itself as being extremely conservative on online casino gambling.

However, there have been recent legal strides made in California sports betting legislation. Though they failed, it was at least on the table and is expected to continue to be.

With no timeline for online casinos in California to come to market legally, gamblers in California still certainly have an appetite for them based on the tribal casinos and horse racing tracks prevalent throughout the Garden State.

No, online casinos are not legal in California. There are, however, nearly 70 brick-and-mortar casinos operated by various Native American tribes throughout the state, as well as legal card rooms and pari-mutuel horse racing betting.

The prominent horse racing tracks with year-round races throughout the state are Cal Expo, Del Mar, Golden Gate Fields, Los Alamitos, and Santa Anita.

Best online casinos expected in California

🎰 Bet365 Casino California ⭐ Best California online casino
🎰 BetMGM Casino California ⭐ Big amount of slots
🎰 Caesars Casino California ⭐ Huge jackpots
🎰 DraftKings Casino California ⭐ Fast withdrawals

Commonly referred to as iGaming, online casinos have been legalized throughout the United States on a state-by-state basis.

As of early 2024, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and West Virginia all have regulated online casinos by some of the biggest players in the game.

Here are a few of the best U.S. online casinos that California could expect to come when iGaming goes live.

  • Bet365 Casino: Only available in New Jersey, bet365 Casino is the only online casino on our list with a presence outside of North America.
  • BetMGM Casino: Available for residents of Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, BetMGM has a terrific rewards program for their loyal customers.
  • Caesars Casino: Also only available for Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia residents, Caesars Casino is well known for its video slot offerings.
  • DraftKings Casino: Unlike the other players on our list (excluding bet365), DraftKings does not have a physical casino presence in the U.S. It’s currently available for Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia residents.

How you will be able to sign up for online casinos in CA

Many believe it’s only a matter of time before California online gambling becomes legal in the state. Here are the simple steps it will take to sign up for an account once it becomes legal:

  1. Head to your chosen casino and select California from the “Select State” dropdown menu.
  2. From there, enter your email address and any promo code you have available. They will default you to any existing promo at the time.
  3. Enter the password of your choice and phone number.
  4. Enter your first and last name, date of birth, home address, and last four of your Social Security number.
  5. Agree to the terms and conditions, and hit submit. If you are a resident of the state, your account will be verified.

What kinds of promos will casino sites offer in California?

Casino promos in CA will be readily available on day one when California online casinos hit the market, so make sure you are educated on the differences. Here are a few of the most common.

  • Free spins: As you would assume, free spins are used at online video slots and let you play with no money at risk. You do, however, keep any winnings.
  • Sign-up bonus: With the introduction of online casinos in a new state, sign-up bonuses will be prevalent. They entice new gamblers to sign up for their site, offering bonuses simply for signing up.
  • Matched deposit bonus: Most online casinos offer some sort of matched deposit bonus, which matches a certain percentage of your deposit amount.

Do you need promo codes to claim casino bonuses?

No, promo codes are not a requirement to claim online casino bonuses in CA. Instead, you often have to select the promo offer at the time of account sign-up or initial deposit.

What terms and conditions could apply for casino app bonuses in CA?

As with any promotional offer, terms and conditions apply, with some being more important than others. Here are a few things to look out for when browsing CA casino app bonuses.

  • Promotional period: All promo offers have a shelf life of when they are available, ranging from a week to a month.
  • Minimums: Almost all promo offers have a minimum deposit amount, typically in the $5 to $10 range.
  • Rollovers/play-throughs: One of the most often overlooked terms, a rollover/play-through is the number of times you have to cycle through a bonus amount. For example, if your bonus is $10 in bonus bets and the rollover is 5x, you have to wager at least $50 for that to convert to withdrawable funds.

What games will casino websites offer when they go live in California?

Online casinos mirror physical casinos in many ways but do offer gamblers a unique set of options. Here are a few of the game types online casinos will offer when they go live in California.

  • Video slots: Just like in brick-and-mortar venues, slot machines are a cash cow for online casinos and continue to be among the most popular game types.
  • Jackpots: These are also video slots, but a type that has much higher payouts. When you see progressive jackpots, that means the payout is larger for every wheel spin that doesn’t produce a winner.
  • Electronic table games: Online casinos offer traditional table games like blackjack, casino hold ‘em, baccarat, and five-card poker, offered in a digital format. There will probably also be specialized California poker sites available as well.
  • Live dealer table games: As the title suggests, these are table games played on live video with a real dealer. You see real cards being dealt by the dealers themselves in real time.

Who will regulate online gambling in CA?

Currently, the California Horse Racing Board oversees horse race betting in CA. However, as other forms of online gambling are legalized, the state may look to create other oversight committees to cover casino gaming and sports betting. This could also default to the California Lottery Commission, which oversees lottery play in the state but has not yet dealt with any forms of online gambling.

How you will be able to pay at gambling operators in California

Gambling operators in California will all have similar lists of ways you will be able to pay and access your winnings, though some banking methods aren’t as universal. Here are some of the top options for each type of transaction.

Deposit

  • Play+ card: A Play+ card works very similarly to a gift card and an ATM card. Players load funds from their bank account to their Play+ card, then choose from a list of approved sites where they can make a deposit. Similarly, winnings on the card can be offloaded at an ATM.
  • Credit/debit cards: This is likely the most commonly used method for online gambling sites because credit and debit cards are ubiquitous and convenient. In some cases, you may also be able to withdraw your winnings to a debit card, especially if you are using a Visa or Mastercard. American Express and Discover are hit-or-miss.
  • PayPal: If credit and debit cards are the #1 deposit method, PayPal is likely #2. The online payment processor has a long history of e-banking, giving it a highly credible reputation in the gambling industry.

Withdrawal

  • Online banking: Linking your bank account to your online gambling account is safe, secure, and one of the fastest ways to collect your winnings. Most major banks will have your payout in your account the same day you submit a withdrawal request, and there won’t be fees associated with the transaction in most cases.
  • E-wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo are up-and-coming competitors with PayPal, though they aren’t as widely accepted at betting sites so far. Their function is very similar to PayPal, holding your winnings until you move them into a linked bank account.
  • Wire transfer: Wire transfers are another extremely secure way to access your winnings, though because gambling operators tend to have higher minimums to utilize this method, it can often take longer to process the request. In most cases, you’re looking at a $1,000 minimum withdrawal for a wire transfer, while other methods here can have minimums as low as $10.

How we will evaluate internet gambling operators in CA

Once more forms of betting are legalized in California, we will have thorough, detailed reviews of all legit bookmakers and casinos, complete with scores to assess their performance. We plan to use the following criteria to evaluate internet gambling operators in CA.

  • Welcome bonus: When assessing the value of the welcome bonus, we’ll account for both the maximum overall amount attainable with the offer as well as the upfront costs and requirements to obtain the offer.
  • Payment options: Having more payment options available for players is generally a sign that a gambling operator will make playing easy and convenient. It also means they are likely to handle withdrawal requests quickly and effectively.
  • Gambling app: Next, we’ll review the gambling app, including taking a look at the app’s performance, ease of use, aesthetics, and reviews from app stores.
  • Variety and features: Like with payment options, more is better. The selection of available games, bet types, bonuses (both for frequency and promos offered), and other unique traits will all play into the score for this section.
  • Customer service: Finally, we will evaluate the customer service for channels offered, FAQ information available, and the timeliness and professionalism of support representatives.

Upsides and downsides of online gambling in CA vs. in-person gambling

Once both types of betting are fully legalized in the state, there will be advantages and disadvantages to both in-person and online play. Here are some of the key upsides and downsides of online gambling vs. in-person gambling.

Upsides

  • Online wagering is more convenient: As long as you’re physically located within California’s state borders, you’ll be able to place a wager or play a game at an online casino. This can also save you money and time by not having to commute to a casino or retail betting location to place your bets and collect your winnings.
  • Online gambling has a greater selection: Because online gambling sites don’t have the same space limitations as their brick-and-mortar counterparts, they are often able to offer many more games, especially casino classics like slots, video poker, and table games. There can even be specific CA poker sites that specialize in poker.
  • Online sites can offer bonuses: Not only are bonuses far more prevalent with online gambling sites, but they also tend to be more varied and generous.

Downsides

  • Online gambling can run into geolocation issues: There’s no doubt you’re ready to play when you’re standing at a casino table or in line at a retail counter to place a sports bet. However, when playing online, if your mobile device and the gambling site/app can’t pinpoint your location to verify you’re within state borders, you won’t be able to play.
  • Online betting can take longer to collect your winnings: Once you’re done playing at a casino or waiting out a game at a sportsbook, you can walk to the window and collect your winnings in cash. However, when playing online, you’ll need to wait until your withdrawal request is approved and payment is disbursed.
  • Online play can be distracting: Because you can place online bets from anywhere, you open the door to distractions, like notifications to your phone or mobile device.

FAQ

How old will you have to be to gamble at online casinos in California?

You will have to be 21 years old to gamble at online casinos in California when they become available. This is based on the standard set in the seven states where it is currently available.

Which casino websites will probably come to CA?

As of now, the main players in the U.S. casino website industry are FanDuel, DraftKings Casino, BetMGM Casino, bet365 Casino, and Caesars Casino. All but bet365 are available in multiple states.

Why do casino sites give bonuses?

Casino sites offer bonuses to entice gamblers to sign up for accounts with them, and not their competitors.

In which states are online casinos legal?

As of early 2024, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia all have legal online casinos.

When will online gambling sites become legal in California?

There is no established timeline for online gambling sites to become legal in California. Technically, the legislature could vote on an online gambling legalization bill in 2024, but there is no reason to believe they are planning to do so.

Author Details

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers is a sports betting expert and author at CASportsBettingSites.com. He has shared his betting predictions for almost a decade, and his work has been featured on various websites, including FantasyPros, Sportsbook Review, OddsChecker, Betting Pros, and many more.