Is sports betting legal in California?
No, sports betting is not legal in California.
Voters defeated measures in November 2022 to allow in-person and mobile sports wagering. The initiatives were opposed by major campaign funders including tribal interests and political groups.
Legalization would require a constitutional amendment and tribal buy-in, a complicated feat that could take years.
Betting would not launch until 2026-28 at the earliest.
California sports betting overview
Betting type | legal status |
|---|---|
Online Sports Betting | ❌ Illegal |
Retail Sportsbooks | ❌ Illegal |
Daily Fantasy Sports | ✅ Available (unregulated) |
Horse Racing Betting | ✅ Legal |
Legal Gambling Age | 18-21 (varies by activity) |
Expected Launch (sports betting) | 2026-2028 (estimated) |
Why is sports betting illegal in California?
Sports betting is still illegal in California after voters rejected Propositions 26 and 27 in 2022.
Proposition 26 would have legalized in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and racetracks.
Proposition 27 was designed to legalize online sports betting statewide.
Both met significant opposition—particularly from tribal interests—who viewed online betting as an encroachment on their longstanding hold of California’s gambling industry.
Legalizing sports betting in California would most likely require the state Legislature's approval as well as a constitutional amendment supported by voters. The complicated and lengthy process partly explains the battle's politics.
When will sports betting be legal in California?
Sports betting isn't projected to launch in California before 2026.
If a new proposal picks up support from the tribes and voters, experts estimate a possible launch window to be anywhere between 2026 and 2028. The most likely case would see retail sportsbooks launch first with online betting trailing behind.
But before shovels can hit the ground, proponents must overcome political hurdles, cobble together consensus from tribal memberships, and pass another popular vote.
What types of bets can I place in California?
Since sports betting remains illegal, you can’t place standard legal bets such as moneylines or parlays in California.
In the meantime, legal options include Daily Fantasy Sports and sweepstakes casinos, which provide betting-style games in compliance with state law.
If California ever legalizes sports betting, bettors can expect to be able to wager on popular bet types such as:
Moneyline Bets – Choose which team will win the game.
Point Spreads – Wager on a team’s margin of victory or defeat.
Over/Under (Totals) – Predict whether the total points scored will go over or under a posted line.
Futures Bets – Bet on long-term events that will happen in the future. An example of this would be betting on who will win a championship in the season.
Prop Bets – Bet on individual player stats or in-game events.
Live (In-Game) Betting – Bet as the game unfolds and odds change.
Until legalization occurs, DFS sites and sweepstakes sites will be the only legal options for California players who wish to play a form of betting-style games.
Alternatives to sports betting in California
While sports betting is not yet legal in California, players can still participate in other betting sites.
Below is a table of available platforms, categorized by type and key features.
Site | Type of betting | Bonus offer | Key feature | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Underdog Fantasy | Pick’em contests, best-ball drafts, real cash prizes | 100% Deposit Match up to $100 | Best-ball drafts, high payouts, user-friendly app |
2 | Fliff | NFL, NCAA Football, CFL, AAF, Arena Football, NBA, MLB, NHL | Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins + $5 Daily | Free-to-play & real-money contests, social features |
3 | Betr Picks | NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, PGA | $250 First Entry Match | Higher payout structures, no pushes, player-focused contests |
4 | SportsMillions | Bet on daily fantasy sports and play sports slots | Get up to 33 Free SC + 7K Gold Coins | Sports-themed slots, fantasy betting, cash prizes |
5 | Legendz | NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, PGA, Tennis, Football, and more | 3 SC + 500 Gold Coins FREE + 10% First Purchase | Wide range of sports, player-friendly bonuses |
6 | Thrillz | NBA, NFL, NCAA, MLB, Hockey, MLS, Major European Soccer | 100% match up to $25 in Coins + $3 Free Coins | Competitive pick’em contests, live updates |
7 | Sportzino | NBA, HFL, NHL, Premier League, NCAAB, NCAAF, UEFA, Virtual | Get up to 10 SC FREE + 220,000 Gold Coins | Virtual sports betting, free-to-play contests |
8 | Kickr | NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, College Football, Soccer, F1, MMA | 4 Free Bucks + 150,000 Bits | Bonus rewards, a variety of sports |
9 | BetRivers.net | NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball, MLB, Golf | Daily Rewards up to 10k VC$ | Branded social sportsbook, loyalty program |
1. Underdog Fantasy - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We love Underdog Fantasy because it makes DFS feel effortless. With best-ball drafts, we can build a lineup once and let it run all season—no daily management needed. The pick’em contests also offer strong payouts, making every game more exciting to follow.
📌Why Play? A top-tier DFS platform with a seamless experience and innovative draft formats.
💰 Bonus: 100% Deposit Match up to $100
🏆 Standout Feature: Set-and-forget fantasy drafts & high-payout pick’em contests.
🔥 Perfect for: Players who love long-term fantasy without daily lineup management.
2. Fliff - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We like Fliff because it blends the excitement of sports betting with a social, community-driven experience. We can play for free or place real money wagers, compete with friends, and climb leaderboards. The daily bonuses and ongoing rewards keep us coming back.
📌 Why Play? A unique social sportsbook-meets-DFS platform with free-to-play & real-money contests.
💰 Bonus: Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins + $5 Daily
🏆 Standout Feature: Daily promotions and a user-friendly rewards system.
🔥 Perfect for: Bettors who enjoy social gaming and consistent daily bonuses.
3. Betr Picks - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We’re big fans of player prop contests, and Betr Picks takes them to the next level. With no-push guarantees, we never lose value if a player lands exactly on the projected line. The higher payouts make every pick feel more rewarding, and the streamlined format keeps things competitive and fun.
📌 Why Play? Higher-payout model with no pushes, meaning full payouts on exact stat-line bets.
💰 Bonus: $250 First Entry Match
🏆 Standout Feature: Focus on individual player prop contests with higher risk-reward potential.
🔥 Perfect for: Fans of player-based fantasy betting who want maximized winnings.
4. SportsMillions - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We didn’t expect to find a DFS platform that also includes sports-themed slots, but SportsMillions blends both experiences seamlessly. It’s great to switch between fantasy contests and slot spins—all in one place. The bonus rewards offer extra value, giving us more ways to play and win.
📌 Why Play? A unique mix of fantasy sports and casino-style slot games for an exciting twist.
💰 Bonus: Get up to 33 Free SC + 7K Gold Coins
🏆 Standout Feature: Sports-themed slots and DFS contests in one platform.
🔥 Perfect for: Players who love both fantasy sports and interactive slot games.
5. Legendz - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Legendz gives us the flexibility to play across a wide range of sports—from football and basketball to golf and baseball. When there’s a major event, we can easily shift focus without jumping between platforms. It’s a one-stop DFS hub with strong bonuses that make it easy to explore new contests without overspending.
📌 Why Play? Wide selection of DFS contests across NBA, NFL, MLB, PGA, and more.
💰 Bonus: 3 SC + 500 Gold Coins FREE + 10% Extra on First Purchase
🏆 Standout Feature: Diverse betting markets for multi-sport fans.
🔥 Perfect for: Players who want a broad DFS experience with great bonuses & rewards.
How to sign up a site
1. Choose a Licensed Platform
2. Register an Account
3. Verify Your Identity
4. Make Your First Deposit
How to choose a top California sportsbook
When sports betting becomes legal in California, selecting the right sportsbook will be essential for a safe and enjoyable betting experience.
Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a top sportsbook:
Licensing & Security – Ensure the sportsbook is licensed by the state and follows strict security protocols to protect your personal and financial information.
Competitive Odds & Betting Markets – Look for sportsbooks that offer fair odds and a wide range of betting options, including moneylines, spreads, player props, and live betting.
Bonuses & Promotions – The best sportsbooks will provide valuable incentives such as welcome bonuses, deposit matches, and free bets to enhance your bankroll.
Mobile App & User Experience – A well-designed mobile app with smooth navigation, live betting features, and fast updates will improve your overall betting experience.
Deposit & Withdrawal Options – Choose a sportsbook that supports multiple banking methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, bank transfers, and quick withdrawal processing.
Customer Support – Reliable sportsbooks offer strong customer service with live chat, phone, and email support to assist with any issues.
Reputation & Reviews – Research user reviews and expert ratings to ensure the sportsbook is trusted, has a solid reputation, and provides a high-quality experience.
Once sports betting is legalized, sportsbooks such as BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars are expected to launch in California, offering a variety of betting options and promotions.
Future of California sports betting
When will sports betting be legalized in California? There is no timeframe for legalized sports betting in California, although industry experts say 2026 to 2028 is the next chance for a change in legislation.
The demise of Propositions 26 and 27 in 2022 demonstrated that any sports betting measure will require the support of California’s Native American tribes, who wield tremendous power on the state’s gaming laws.
Key factors affecting legalization
1. Possible tribal-led proposal (2026-2028)
With tribes owning California’s gambling industry, they would be expected to lead any new sports betting efforts.
Future proposals could aim at allowing legal in-person sports betting at tribal casinos before eventually pursuing online sites.
A measure backed by tribes could garner more public and political support than previous initiatives by commercial operators.
2. Retail sports betting before online expansion
If sports betting is legalized, brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at tribal casinos and racetracks are expected to go live first.
Tribes have complained that online betting will eat into their brick-and-mortar revenues and would prefer a go-slow approach.
A delay in California online sports betting could push the launch of a full-scale market close to 2028 or beyond.
3. Expected sportsbook operators
If California legalizes sports betting, some of the biggest names in the industry will likely enter the market, including:
BetMGM – Well known for varied betting markets and quality user experience.
FanDuel – It’s one of the best-known sportsbooks in America thanks to its links with daily fantasy sports.
DraftKings – The king of both DFS and sports betting will certainly be near or at the top in California.
Caesars Sportsbook – Strong rewards program and retail casino partners.
Other sportsbooks including ESPN BET, Fanatics Sportsbook, and PointsBet, could also be potential entrants into California, should they be regulated.
4. Political & regulatory challenges
Any new proposal would have to go through the California Legislature and likely need the support of voters to pass a statewide ballot referendum.
Fierce opposition from several political groups, tribal interests, and anti-gambling groups could slow down progress.
Debates about tax levels, license charges, and revenue-sharing settlements will be pivotal points of negotiation.
In summary, the prospects of legal California sports betting remain fuzzy, but some gaming industry insiders have forecasted the next major attempt coming in 2026 or beyond.
The most likely scenario would be that retail legal California sports betting sites would launch first, with online betting following later.
If approved, the market is expected to be dominated by major sportsbooks like BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars.
However, there are major legal and political obstacles in the way of paving a smooth road toward legalization.
California sports betting latest legal updates
📆 February 2025 – Legal sports betting is still not available in California, and there are no immediate prospects of it being legalized in the near future.
❌ November 2022 Ballot Failure – Both Prop 26 (retail betting) and Prop 27 (online betting) were overwhelmingly rejected by voters.
🏛️ 2026-2028 Potential Legalization – Industry insiders are forecasting that the next significant attempt at legalization will likely be in 2026 or later.
🎰 Tribal Control Over Gambling – The California Native American tribes that oversee the majority of gambling in the state aren’t fans of online sportsbooks operating without their say-so.
📝 New Ballot Initiatives Proposed – Tribes and industry stakeholders are considering drafting a new retail-first sports betting initiative for a future vote.
⚖️ Legal Gray Area for DFS & Social Betting – While sports betting is illegal, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and sweepstakes casinos continue to operate in California.
💰 Projected Revenue Impact – Legal sports betting in CA could generate billions of dollars in revenue on a yearly basis. This will help the state via taxes and tribals via partnerships.
📍 Neighboring States Offer Legal Betting – Californians can legally bet on sports in Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon, all of which offer online and retail sportsbooks.
🏦 Political & Regulatory Hurdles Remain – Any new effort would still have to get through the legislature, win the support of tribal gaming, and pass a vote of the people to become law.
California sports
California is one of the most exciting states for sports fans, with pro teams across every major league—including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS.
Major franchises include the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres, among others.
If sports betting does indeed become legal, fans will probably be able to bet on hometown teams using: moneylines, point spreads, futures, and player props.
College sports are also popular in California. USC, UCLA, and Stanford have historically had successful sports programs in football and basketball, adding to the deep-rooted sports culture within the state.
The depth of teams coupled with loyal fan bases make California well-suited to grow into one of the largest and most robust sports betting markets in the nation when legislation finally pushes through.
Responsible gambling resources in California
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, confidential support is available:
California Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) – www.calpg.org | 1-800-GAMBLER
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) – www.ncpgambling.org | 1-800-522-4700 (24/7)
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) – www.gamblersanonymous.org | Peer support meetings
California Self-Exclusion Program – Allows individuals to ban themselves from tribal casinos and future sportsbooks.
Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7 on all California betting sites, regardless of type.
