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No, despite numerous efforts, sports betting remains illegal in California.
The long road to legalizing California sports betting continues, with no immediate hope for success. Significant opposition to retail sportsbooks from the state’s tribes has hampered legislative efforts.
While the wheels of legislative change turn slowly, you can check here for the latest betting updates surrounding the question, “Is sports betting legal in California?”
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California Sports Betting Updates
The California sports betting landscape continues to change slowly. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports betting in 2018, California has sought to legalize sports betting sites within the state. Furthermore, numerous forms of California sports betting bills have been turned down.
Here’s a timeline of recent activity:
- August 2021: After a long preparation period, The California Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act was brought forward. This was viewed among the first steps toward legalized sports betting and the hoped-for implementation of sports betting sites in California.
- July 2022: Prop 26 and 27 are brought forward. They are formed to limit the retail sports betting reach and instead allow for more power among tribal sports betting entities. In terms of California sports betting law, these California sports betting initiatives were hoped to lead to making sports betting legal in California.
- November 9, 2022: In a major blow to California sports betting hopes, both targets for ballot propositions, Prop 26 (70% “no”) and Prop 27 (83% “no”), are shot down during the state’s election. It was a strong answer to the question: Is sports betting legal in California?
- May 2023: Caesars Racebook opens up for horseplayers in California as a sports betting site, though only on horse racing. The launch coincides with the opening of the racing season at Del Mar racetrack near San Diego. The horse racing apps are the closest to online sports gambling in California.
- October 27, 2023: Supporters of the plan to bring California sports betting to fruition filed two initiatives to the state attorney general’s office in hopes that they would appear on the ballot in November 2024. However, neither of them had the tribal support likely needed to succeed.
- November 1, 2023: DraftKings’ affiliated horse racing site, DK Horse, becomes available for California sports betting customers aged 18 and over. (The sports betting age in California would likely be 21.) DraftKings partnered with TwinSpires on this app, which is not part of DraftKings’ main site. Customers must register independently for DK Horse, and horse racing remains among the only legal sports betting sites in the state.
- November 17, 2023: The latest efforts to place California sports betting initiatives on the ballot suffered another setback. California Nations Indian Gaming Association issued its opposition to a pair of measures that would make sports betting a legal activity at tribal casinos. The CNIGA approval is seen as a mandatory requirement to push sports betting legislation forward.
- December 7, 2023: Proponents filed amendments to the California sports betting initiatives designed to placate the tribes’ concerns. Under the amendments, in part, the sports betting tribes would give 25% of the gross (adjusted) sports betting money to the trust fund for tribal sports wagering. That is up from the original plan that called for sports betting tribes to contribute 15% of that gross revenue to the trust fund and 10% to the state of California’s homeless and mental health funds.
Latest California Sports Betting Info
- Legalized: ❌
- Retail sports betting: ❌
- Online sports betting: ❌
- Daily fantasy sports: ✅ though it’s not regulated
- Horse racing: ✅
- Lottery: ✅
Is Sports Betting Legal in California?
No, it is not legal in California.
When the California sports betting props were defeated during the November 2022 election, voters made it clear that a better plan is needed to make it legal. Although there are forms of online gambling in California, there is no successful California sports betting bill.
In recent years, further efforts have been made by the state and major sports betting entities to negotiate with the state’s tribal gaming communities. The California Nations Indian Gaming Association, making up more than 50 tribes, opposed new initiatives that supporters had hoped to land on the November 2024 ballot. That opposition sinks hopes that California sports betting will be legal before 2025.
The association made it clear in a statement confirming its opposition, which included what it said was a poor job of presenting the plan. According to the chairman of the CNIGA, James Siva, the situation was “handled abhorrently by the initiative sponsors.”
Siva’s statement also implied a hidden agenda that is trying to “divide and conquer Indian tribes. We will not let history repeat itself.”
The initiatives would have provided the tribal casinos in California with full oversight of the sports betting activities, both in-person and online.
What Sports Betting Apps Are Legal in California?
All sportsbook apps are unavailable in the state. However, if California sports betting becomes legal, customers will have a wide range of wagering options on markets both in and outside the state.
Sports betting apps would provide action on all major sports and competitions, with intricate secondary markets such as parlays, futures, and teaser bets.
With the negative political climate surrounding sports betting in California, a change is not expected until at least 2025. So until then, there is no legal form of California sports betting.
In the meantime, it is possible to access some of the offshore sportsbooks. These operators are fully licensed by overseas regulators and offer a great option for bettors in California.
Latest California Gambling Laws & Bills
Legalized sports betting in California is not available at the moment. However, there have been efforts to establish California sports betting laws. For example, the ACA-16 (2019), which would have provided California sports betting legislation, was soundly defeated.
Then, in 2020, SCA-16 was also struck down, which would have allowed sports betting in California via computers and cell phones.
The most recent efforts to legalize it were Propositions 26 and 27, both of which were decisively defeated in the November 2022 elections. Proposition 26 aimed to allow in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and horse racetracks, while Proposition 27 sought to legalize online sports betting statewide. Neither measure received sufficient support, with Proposition 27 failing to garner even 20% approval.
In January 2025, James Siva, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, indicated that the state’s tribes would not pursue sports betting initiatives for the 2026 ballot, suggesting that legalization may not occur until 2028 or later.
Why Are Residents Against Legalization?
California is one of only 12 US states that have resisted the legalization of sports betting. So, what is behind residents’ resistance?
Addiction Concerns
There are many voters concerned that legalization would lead to an increase in gambling addiction. It’s thought that facilitating easier access to online and mobile betting would create ideal conditions for individuals to develop an unhealthy relationship to gambling. This is of particular among young people and vulnerable populations.
Due to the technological age we live in, companies can collect vast amounts of data on their customers. This tilts the balance in the companies’ favor and makes it harder for people to gamble responsibly when you are getting tailored notifications designed to entice you into another bet.
This overwhelmingly affects young men and, in many cases, underage users, with age restrictions hard to enforce.
As an example, since New Jersey legalized sports betting, calls to the state’s gambling addiction helpline have tripled, with the increase largely driven by gamblers aged 25-34.
Corporate Greed
DraftKings and FanDuel’s financial backing of Proposition 27 seems to have put off many voters who are already wary of the impact legalization would have across the state. Many residents envision limited benefits trickling down to local communities and see legalization as corporate greed and expansion. It’s not easy to make the case that the wants of sports betting companies will align with the needs of Californians.
Native American Tribes Opposition
California’s Native American Tribes control many of the state’s casinos and have repeatedly raised concerns over how sports betting legalization would threaten this.
Confusing Ballots
Introducing Proposition 26 for in-person betting and Proposition 27 for online betting appears to have confused many voters. Rather than a unified attempt, the divided effort muddied the water and created yet more uncertainty over which measure would benefit the state.
Crime and Underage Gambling
Perhaps due to the longstanding association between gambling and organized crime, some voters feared an increase in sports betting could provide more opportunities for fraud, money laundering, and underage gambling. There is also concern over enforcing age restrictions on mobile betting platforms.
Unclear Who Benefits
There was also skepticism about who would benefit from legal sports betting. Supporters claim increased tax revenues would be channeled to public services and help fund homelessness programs, while opponents have questioned this and cited other states’ lower-than-expected tax revenues.
Who Can Partake in California Sports Betting?
Residents of California are not able to participate in any form of sports betting as legal wrangling continues.
With initiatives shot down and proposals opposed, the likelihood of sports betting in California is unlikely for at least another couple of years.
However, if sports betting in California becomes legalized, there are several potential requirements to observe. Any sports betting customer in California likely will have to follow the standard guidelines:
- Stay Within State Borders: California sports-betting customers who use U.S.-based sports-betting apps would need to wager within the state.
- 21 Years of Age or Older: The age for lottery, horse racing betting, and casino games is generally 18 or over. However, when the time comes for online sports wagering, the customer’s required age would likely be 21 based on other states and their betting regulations.
- Valid Government-issued ID: All future California sports betting apps and websites would need a government-issued piece of identification and a valid email address. These are required by the sports betting operator to confirm and verify a bettor’s identity during the application process.
- Taxable Winnings: California sports betting fans should be aware that their larger-amount winnings are taxable. Customers should check with their tax representative for more details.
Is Horse Racing Legal in California?
Yes, horse race wagering has been legal in California since 1933 and remains a top attraction among California gamblers. Tracks such as Golden Gate Fields, Santa Anita Park, and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club are popular destinations in the country.
Sports to Bet On
California sports betting is not yet legal, but when it does become so, it will surpass Florida as the largest state to legalize sports betting. A massive menu of sports-betting options will also be available then.
NFL
The Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers provide a vast representation of National Football League franchises. Each of these boasts a fan base eager to join the sports-betting community. Both the Rams and 49ers have won the Super Bowl, and the Chargers franchise has also appeared in a Super Bowl.
NBA
No fewer than four franchises represent the National Basketball Association in California. The fans of the Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers are ready to dramatically boost revenues when sports betting in California becomes legal. The Warriors and Lakers have multiple NBA Finals championships.
MLB
Among the more storied franchises is the Los Angeles Dodgers. Moved from Brooklyn in the 1950s, the Dodgers have become a perennial World Series contender, and the acquisition of superstar Shohei Ohtani has further enhanced this. The state’s other four Major League Baseball teams, the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, and San Francisco Giants, continue to chase postseason glory.
NHL
Los Angeles also boasts a championship hockey team, the Los Angeles Kings, and a second Southern California franchise, the Anaheim Ducks. In the Bay Area, the San Jose Sharks offer their fanbase a history of competitive teams.
College Sports
When California sports betting becomes legal, customers will eagerly support several major college sports institutions: the USC Trojans, UCLA Bruins, California Golden Bears, Stanford Cardinal, San Diego State Aztecs, and many more.
Other Sports
Among the myriad additional sports betting opportunities is Major League Soccer, with the LAFC and LA Galaxy representing the Los Angeles area and the San Jose Earthquakes representing the Bay Area.
Other Types of Gambling in California
Until California sports betting becomes legal, gambling customers can participate in various other pursuits in the state.
| Types of Gambling | Regulated | Legalized |
|---|---|---|
| Land-based casinos and sportsbooks | ✅ (Casinos) | 1988 |
| Online casino sites and apps | ❌ | N/A |
| Online poker | ❌ | N/A |
| Lottery | ✅ | 1985 |
| Politics | ❌ | N/A |
| Fantasy sports | ✅ | 2015 |
| Esports | ❌ | N/A |
| Card rooms | ✅ | 1997 |
The Bottom Line
At present, there is no clear path to the legalization of sports betting in California. That doesn’t mean that won’t change in the near future as many other states were opposed to gambling for many years before its legalization.
However, California’s complex blend of stakeholders creates a trickier path for supporters and lobbyists to navigate. There are many competing interests, and they all need to see clear benefits before any new legislation is passed.
FAQs
When did California legalize gambling?
Why is sports betting illegal in California?
When will sports betting be legal in California?
How can I bet if I live in California?
Is mobile sports betting legal in California?
Can you cash out a sports bet in another state?
What happens if I bet in another state?
References
- Bill Text – ACA-16 Gambling. (California Legislature)
- Bill Text – SCA-6 Gambling: sports wagering. (California Legislature)
