California Online Casino Real Money – Gambling Laws in the Golden State
The demand for playing at online casino in California grows with every day making the state one of the biggest gambling markets in the US.
The Golden State has not legalized online gambling, but many out-of-state online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks serve Californians. That means you can freely play at online gambling sites without trouble.
This guide covers current California gambling laws, restricted games, and where you can gamble in California.
Summary of California Gambling Laws
California is one of the best states for land-based gambling options. It allows legal card rooms, lotteries, poker rooms, racetracks, and tribal casinos. You are always close to a betting opportunity in the Golden State.
But California is not a total free-for-all when it comes to gambling. Some forms either lie in a gray area or are flat-out illegal.
Here are the most important highlights of what gambling in California looks like:
| Gambling | California |
|---|---|
| Is Gambling Legal? | Yes |
| Playing at Online Casinos | Yes. Sites regulated outside of CA only |
| Legal Age Online | 18+ |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes |
| Legal Age Land-Based | 18-21 (depends upon casino)Yes |
| Sports Betting | Yes. Sites regulated outside of CA only |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes |
| State Lottery | Yes |
| Social Gaming | Yes |
Is Gambling Legal in California?
The Golden State offers several forms of legal gambling, from tribal casinos to home poker games, and is among the more liberal regarding available gambling options.
It features casinos, lotteries, poker rooms, horse racing, charitable gaming, and social gaming. Of course, not every form of gambling is legal in the Golden State.
The following table shows a summary of current gambling laws in California.
| Gambling | California Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Online Casinos | California gambling laws are dated and don’t specifically address online gambling. Therefore, offshore and out-of-state casinos, poker sites, and betting sites serve the Golden State. Californians can gamble at online casinos without fear of prosecution. |
| Sports Betting | California bans sportsbooks from operating within state lines, but many offshore bookmakers take bets from Californians. |
| Land-Based Casino | California Native American tribes can legally run casinos within the state. Tribes can offer both Class II (bingo/poker) and Class III gaming (slot machines, house-banked card games). |
| Poker | Many California card rooms and tribal casinos feature poker rooms. No-limit Texas hold’em is easily the most popular poker game in the state. |
| Horse Racing Betting | The Golden State has one of the country’s biggest horse racing scenes. Horse racing betting is legal at various California racetracks and off-track locations. |
| Dog Racing Betting | It has been Illegal since 1939. |
| Lottery | Launched in 1985, the California State Lottery provides drawings, scratch-off tickets, and simulated horse races. |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Like online gambling, daily fantasy sports (DFS) lie in a gray area in California. Assemblyman Adam Gray unsuccessfully introduced bill AB 1437 in 2015. Major DFS sites like DraftKings and FanDuel still serve the state. |
| Charitable Gaming | Non-profit organizations can hold charity bingo, poker, and raffle events if they donate all proceeds to the designated charity. |
| Social Gambling | Home poker games and other forms of social gambling are legal, provided nobody is banking the action or profiting in any other way. |
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Where to Gamble in California?
California provides many gambling spots, including card rooms, Native American casinos, and racetracks. You’ll also have access to offshore online casinos, poker rooms, and sports betting sites.
The following sections explain more about where you can gamble in this state.
Land-Based Casinos in California
California features over 60 tribal casinos spread across 27 counties. State residents approved the constitutional amendment Proposition 1A in 2000 to permit Indian casino gaming.
The state government and local tribes then negotiated casino compacts based on the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. Since then, only Native American tribes—not commercial entities—can run California casinos.
This compact gives state tribes the right to offer Class II and Class III gaming. The latter is noteworthy because it includes Vegas-style games like slots, baccarat, blackjack, and three-card poker. By comparison, tribal gaming compacts in some states only let tribes offer Class II games such as bingo and poker.
California card rooms are not allowed to offer Class III gaming. However, they have found a workaround to run baccarat, blackjack, Pai Gow, and other casino card games. Their table games don’t feature dealers, allowing players to bank the action. This setup technically means that players compete against each other rather than the house.California tribes have sued< to stop card rooms from offering table games but to no avail.
>Note that craps and roulette are illegal in any establishment—tribal casino or card room. California doesn’t allow games of chance centering on dice or wheels.
Dozens of tribal casinos operate in the Golden State. The following table will help you find a brick-and-mortar casino near you.
Horse Racing
The Golden State has one of the most active and successful horse racing betting industries. It features several iconic race tracks, including Del Mar, Golden Gate Fields, Los Alamitos, and Santa Anita. The latter runs high-profile racing events like the Breeders’ Cup and Santa Anita Derby.
California also has many off-track betting (OTB) locations at bars, restaurants, and even racetracks. Examples of these locations include Del Mar OTB, Fresno OTB, Santa Barbara OTB, Original Roadhouse Grill (Santa Maria), and Striders (San Diego).
California Online Sports Betting
CA Penal Code 337a bans sportsbooks based on the state. This law outlaws running an online sportsbook inside California. Nevertheless, it does not mention online sports betting, and Californians can access offshore sportsbooks to bet on sports.
Bingo Halls & Charitable Gambling
Generally accepted charity games in California include bingo, poker, and raffles.
House-banked (Class II) games like slot machines, video poker, and table games (e.g., blackjack) aren’t allowed. But charities can use the same gambling gamespermitted in host card rooms. For example, the 500 Casino Club offers a non-banked blackjack game called Century 21.
Non-profit organizations can register for charity gambling with the Bureau of Gambling Control. After registering, charitable organizations must pay a $100 fee before holding a gambling fundraiser. They must also deliver all proceeds to the designated charity.
Social Gaming at Home
Social gaming is legal if no party takes a cut of the action. Furthermore, nobody can legally profit by selling drinks, food, or other items. Home poker games are the most universally accepted form of CA social gaming.
Home-based or street craps are also acceptable, provided no one collects rake. State penal codes prevent California casinos from running craps but don’t mention social craps games.
Poker Rooms and Clubs
California is home to dozens of poker clubs, including the following popular options:
- Bicycle Club (Bell Gardens)
- Commerce Casino (LA)
- Golden West Casino (Bakersfield)
- Hollywood Park Casino (Inglewood)
- Hustler Casino (Gardena)
- Ocean’s Eleven Casino (Oceanside)
Online poker in-state isn’t legal in California, but many offshore poker rooms still serve the Golden State. Players can enjoy Texas Hold ’em, Omaha, and 7-card stud at most online poker casinos.
California Eight-Liners
is a gaming machine with three reels and eight paylines. It looks and operates identically to a slot machine, but it’s considered an “amusement” game due to its small prizes. California does not have eight-liners because it features regular slot machines in tribal casinos.
Casino Cruises
California offers several major casino cruises, including Crystal Serenity (LA), Grand Casino (Oakland), and Monte Carlo (San Francisco). Serenity is especially notable due to its 4,500 slot machines and 100 table games.
Real Money Online Casino California – Games You Can Play
Many real-money online casino games are available to California residents, including slots, blackjack, poker, and live gaming. You can read more about each of these gambling options below.
Online Slots
California is specific about slot machines being illegal outside of Native American casinos. However, state penal codes do not mention online slots.
Online casinos out-of-state offer online slots to Californians; you’ll find thousands of online slot games from reputable software developers that you can play anytime.
You will always be close to land-based slot machines in the Golden State too. California’s 60+ tribal casinos collectively provide more than 75,000 slots.
Online Poker
California online poker legislative efforts date back to 2009 and have yet to be successful in passing any bill. Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer’s AB 167 had the best chance, but it did not even make the 2015 ballot
You have multiple options for playing poker in the Golden State, including offshore sites, card clubs, and tribal casinos.
If you seek live poker action, Commerce and Bicycle Club are among the world’s best card clubs. Offshore poker sites let you skip the clubs and play through your smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer.
Online Blackjack
You can play blackjack at online gaming sites, tribal casinos, and card clubs in California. Blackjack is common at offshore casinos and often comes in different variations, such as Perfect Pairs and Suit’ Em Up.
Native American casinos are supposed to have a monopoly on land-based blackjack. However, card clubs have found a legal loophole by offering blackjack, where players bank the action.
Live Dealer Games
The Golden State offers many opportunities to play baccarat, blackjack, and multiple poker games in brick-and-mortar casinos. Even still, you can enjoy live dealer gaming from your home. You can do so at any CA online casino with live dealer tables.
Such casinos provide staples like baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. The latter is welcome to California due to the state’s prohibition of traditional roulette. Some live dealer casinos offer other games like Pai Gow, Super 6, and Texas Hold ’em Bonus.
Other Available Games at California Online Casinos
California online casinos offer various games, including Keno and lottery-type games, such as scratch-offs. You will also find single- and double-zero roulette, video poker, and some gambling sites even offer craps.
All the games are backed by top developers and have good RTPs like those you’ll find in any land-based setting.
Top Bonuses at Gambling Sites for California Players
Most California casino sites offer lucrative bonuses, but some deals stand out. The Bovada and SlotsandCasino bonuses are especially worth checking out. You can see the important details behind both offers below.
California Gambling Laws
The CA Penal Code became active in 1872—well over a century before the commercial internet. It’s quite dated, as indicated by the mention of games like Faro, fan-tan, and Hokey-pokey.
The main updates criminalize the offering of unlawful slot machines in brick-and-mortar settings. Therefore, California doesn’t mention online gambling anywhere in its constitution.
Because state laws do not address online wagering, Californians can play real money casino games at sites based outside of the state or offshore.
Is Online Gambling Legal in California?
The state has never passed associated legislation with online gambling. However, it is not necessarily illegal in the Golden State either.
Nothing in the California Penal Code mentions online gambling nor outlaws it. Instead, Penal Code 330 offers a broad definition of illegal gambling while listing a mixture of relevant and outdated games.
State prosecutors could likely apply this definition to online casinos, poker sites, and betting sites serving California. But they have never prosecuted any player for gambling online. For all intent purposes, you’re fine legally when placing online bets.
California Laws Are Broad Regarding Illegal Gambling
Penal Code 330 provides the state’s general take on illegal games of chance. This law discourages people from opening or playing at illegal in-state gambling businesses in California. But no language in this penal code mentions CA online gambling. Therefore, you’re within your rights to continue playing at online casino sites.
Sportsbooks Based in California are Explicitly Illegal Unless Laws Change
California leaves no question on its stance regarding unlawful sportsbooks. Penal Code 337a notes that bookmaking is a crime punishable by up to one year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine for a first offense.
All methods of conducting bookmaking mentioned in this code apply to brick-and-mortar casinos. The state has never tried to use 337a to go after offshore sportsbooks.
The Golden State Doesn’t Permit Dice or Wheel Game
Penal Codes 330, 330a, 334, and 337t discuss a ban on land-based dice games. Penal Code 330 mentions the illegality of both land-based roulette and dice gambling.
The state government didn’t make exceptions for craps or roulette when negotiating casino compacts with tribes in the early 2000s. But online roulette and craps don’t appear in these codes, making them legal for CA players.
Online Casinos in California
CA gambling laws take aim at illegal land-based forms of gambling, such as slot machines, sportsbooks, and poker rooms. The idea is to prevent anybody from launching a brick-and-mortar or online gambling business within California’s borders.
None of these laws discuss online casino sites, which legally operate in licensing jurisdictions outside of California. These omissions are why offshore bookmakers, casinos, and poker sites have never gotten in trouble in the Golden State. As a player, you don’t need to worry about getting arrested for California online gambling. State law enforcement has never prosecuted anybody for playing online bets.
California Online Gambling vs. Neighbor States
States often compare themselves with neighbors when deciding what forms of gambling to legalize. Here’s how the state of California compares to other states in its region in the legal status of various types of gambling.
| US State | Playing at Online Casinos | State Regulated Casinos | Social Casinos | Online Sports Betting | Lottery | Fantasy Sports | Charitable Gaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Gray Area | Legal |
| Oregon | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Gray Area | Legal |
| Nevada | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Not Legal | Not Legal | Legal |
| Arizona | Legal | Not Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Gray Area | Legal |
The Golden State has the same legal stance on all other major forms of gambling as Arizona and Oregon. Meanwhile, Nevada differs from its neighbors in fantasy sports and lotteries. The Silver State banks heavily on its land-based gaming industry and does everything possible to protect it.
California is the only state amongst its neighbors that has not legalized online sports betting. Legislative efforts to regulate betting remain trapped beneath competing interests (tribes, card rooms, racetracks).
Online Casino California – Tips to Play Safely
Most CA online casinos are safe and do their best to provide a good experience. Nevertheless, you might benefit from some tips to find legit California online casinos.
Check that the Casino Has a License
California does not have a regulated online gaming market. Therefore, you want to ensure that the online casinos you’re dealing with have a license somewhere.
Read Reviews Before Depositing
The last thing you want to do is deposit without knowing a casino’s full story. Reviews usually provide insight into an online casino’s past and how they deal with players.
Try Games for Free
Most online casinos in California let you play free games after completing registration. The free mode gives you a chance to ensure that games run smoothly.
Look at Bonus Terms and Conditions
Trustworthy CA online casinos offer clear and concise language in their bonus terms and conditions. You can read through the T&Cs to ensure that casinos offer fair and legitimate chances at bonuses.
Review Deposit and Withdrawal Options
The Golden State may not have legalized online casinos, but it is still relaxed about offshore gambling. However, some banks may not accept transactions from gambling sites. So make sure the online casino you want to play at has several banking methods available for US players.
Pros & Cons of Gambling in California
The Golden State is a good place to gamble online for the most part. But as covered below, you need to consider some drawbacks and benefits when gambling in California.
Pros
- Large selection of online casinos serving California players.
- Enjoy one of the most active horse race betting industries.
- You can play craps and roulette online. Casinos in California can't offer land-based roulette and craps due to state laws.
- Dozens of poker clubs in the state.
- California offers several major casino cruises.
Cons
- Ambiguous online gambling laws. The CA penal codes are outdated and don't cover the online gambling industry.
- California card rooms are not allowed to offer Class III gaming, which includes Vegas-style games like slots, baccarat, blackjack, and three-card poker.
- Craps and roulette are illegal in any establishment; tribal casino or card room.
- Sportsbooks based in california are illegal.
California Online Casino Market: Our Prediction
State gambling legislative efforts have focused on online poker and sports betting—not California online casinos. Sports gambling has taken center stage in recent years due to dozens of other states legalizing the activity.
Retail (Prop 26) and online sports betting (Prop 27) made the voting ballot in Nov. 2022. Voters said “no” to both issues after being bombarded with advertisements from multiple sides. Cardrooms funded a campaign against both propositions because they got cut out of the potential action. Tribal casinos and select racetracks spent millions on getting both propositions passed. The card rooms won out as the measures lost.
These votes expose the issue with California online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites. Card rooms, racetracks, and tribes cannot agree on sharing the online gambling pie.
Online sports betting needs to pass before CA mobile casinos and poker have a chance. Therefore, we do not see regulated California online casinos becoming a reality for at least five years.
Until then, your best options for gambling online in California remain online casino operators. You can play real money casino games online without worry because the Golden State has never prosecuted offshore sites or players.
Take a look at our recommended online casinos and pick the one you like the most!
California Online Gambling FAQ
California online gambling laws aren’t entirely clear, which may leave you with questions. The following FAQs will help you better navigate the California gambling landscape.
