Gambling in California – Is it Legal? Get $5,000 at California CA Gambling Sites

It’s still early days for California online gambling and legislation changes, but there are ways you can bet online without fearing prosecution. To do so, you can access a wide range of offshore gambling sites that include sports, poker, and casino options.

Here we will highlight the gambling sites you can access in California and what they offer. We’ve added extensive reviews of the 10 best gambling sites in California, payment methods you can access, how to stay safe when gambling online, and how legislation might change in the near future.

The Latest California Gambling News

The California online gambling situation in is complicated at best. There have been several attempts to legalize within the state following the federal lift on sports betting in 2019. The timeline below shows the latest California online gambling news:

• May 2023: Caesars states its intent on sticking with California as it opens a dedicated racebook.
• November 2022: California gambling voters reject all sports betting measures on the table. This sets legislation back by “multiple years.”
• July 2022: Prop 26 and 27 are introduced to restrict retail sports betting in favor of tribal sports betting.
• May 2022: Californian tribes start to put weight behind legalizing gambling in the state. Legislators are trying to work on a solution to how tribal sports betting and regulated sports betting could co-exist.
• February 2022: A poll carried out by UC Berkeley states that 45% of residents within California are in favor of legalizing gambling. 33% were against, with the remaining 22% unsure.
• August 2021: The California Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act is introduced and signed off by four cities within the state.
• June 2019: SCA 6 is the first is multiple gambling bills introduced by Sen. Bill Dodd to regulate gambling within California. Due to COVID-19, by June 2020, this California online gambling bill was withdrawn.

Reviews of the Best California Gambling Sites

California online gambling legislation may be somewhat up in the air, but there are plenty of leading offshore online casinos that you can access instead. Below, we’ve expanded our list of the best California gambling sites to create in-depth reviews of each. All of the brands you see below are perfectly legal for Californian residents.

1. BetOnline  – Best Gambling Site in California Overall

• Payout time: 24-48 hours
• Established: 1991
• License: Panama
• Headquarters: Panama
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 9/10

BetOnline’s sportsbook is one of the largest we’ve tested and covers the major US-based sports incredibly well. Market coverage is superb, and we were impressed with the range of prop bets. Niche sports such as martial arts, handball, and table tennis are accessible, underlining the depth that the sportsbook goes to.

One of the main highlights is the sportsbook’s betting lines. Our testing found they are among the best priced across the board and include enhanced odds, increasing value ten-fold. The only drawback is the design, which, for us, looks a little dated, although you will get used to it.

The casino is an excellent extension of the brand and comes packed with more than 500 games. The use of game developers such as Betsoft, Real Time Gaming, and Rival Gaming maintains quality throughout. The 60+ table games, 70 live casino games, 20 video poker games, and 25 specialty games make this brand stand out among the industry’s best online casinos.

Online poker can be played online or downloaded, accessible on mobile via iOS and Android. Games are hosted on the Chico Poker Network, which is one of the biggest in terms of the volume of players. Features include all-in cash-out, straddle options, and poker calculators.

Finally, BetOnline has a dedicated racebook with great domestic and international coverage. Again, the design lets features such as the racecard down a bit, but it’s still very usable and something you get used to. It’s worth noting that esports has its own dedicated section and includes live streaming of games such as NBA2K, FIFA, Call of Duty, DOTA, and League of Legends.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 10/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Sportsbook: 10/10
• Casino: 8/10
• Live Casino: 9/10
• Poker: 8/10
• Customer Support: 8/10

Top Sign-up Offers:

Pros & Cons:

2. Wild Casino – More Than 700 Casino Games and $5,000 Welcome Offer

• Payout time: 24 hours
• Established: 2017
• License: Panama
• Headquarters: Panama
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 8.5/10

Wild Casino was launched in 2017 and has become one of the biggest online casinos in the sector. With around 700 games to choose from, it provides a great balance in terms of size, allowing players to access superb casino games across multiple categories, including slots, table games, and live casino games.

It benefits from incorporating multiple game developers, including Betsoft, Rival Gaming, Nucleus Gaming, and Dragon Gaming. The site’s design is simple yet modern, and we liked that you can access multiple categories and use a search function to target specific games.

Slots is the biggest section on site, with more than 500 games. Each game includes a short synopsis of the theme and has a volatility rating, which is a great feature. The only negative here is that you can’t break up the games by category and, instead, have the whole catalog to work through, which can be a little overwhelming if you’re new and not sure what you want to play.

Table game coverage is good, with about 70 games to choose from, although small when compared with some of their competitors. Blackjack and roulette make up the bulk of these games, but you can also play baccarat, casino war, three card rummy, and a host of casino poker variations as well.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Sportsbook: N/A
• Casino: 9/10
• Live Casino: 8/10
• Poker: N/A
• Customer Support: 8/10

Pros & Cons:

3. Bovada – Excellent for Sports, Casino, and Poker Options

• Payout time: 24-48 hours
• Established: 2011
• License:
• Headquarters: Costa Rica
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 9/10

Few brands in the gambling sector are more iconic than Bovada. The site has access to sports, casino, poker, and horse racing, making it one of the biggest that we’ve tested.

The sportsbook is arguably what it’s best known for, and its unique design makes it incredibly easy to use. The menu section across the top allows you to jump between sports, and then sort by markets once you’ve landed. It also includes a search function if you know exactly where you’re heading.

Betting lines at Bovada are excellent and because they have a high number of recreational players that navigate from casino and poker, odds can offer more value than most. The sheer volume of markets across the likes of the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA, make for a great sports betting platform.

The casino is small, with around 200 games to choose from. However, what it lacks in depth, it makes up for in quality. Game developers include Genesis Gaming, Rival Gaming and Real Time Gaming. Slots make up the bulk of the games, with a solid range of progressives, jackpots, and bonus games. Keep an eye on the “New Games” section which is updated every week and the best way to test out the latest titles.

The poker room is on then Pai Wang Luo network and includes a reasonable range of games. Games include Hold’em Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Lo, with stakes ranging from 2c/5c up to $10/$20 for cash games. The software is good and table design is clean, but not being able to choose which table you sit at for cash games is a frustrating negative.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 9/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Sportsbook: 9/10
• Casino: 7/10
• Live Casino: 8/10
• Poker: 7/10
• Customer Support: 9/10

Pros & Cons:

4. Everygame – $3,000+ in Welcome Bonuses for New Players

• Payout time: 48 hours
• Established: 1996
• License: Kahnawake Gaming Commission
• Headquarters: Antigua and Barbuda
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 8.5/10

Everygame offers a diverse range of options for gambling in California that includes sports, casinos, and poker. It’s a brand that’s been live since 1996 and was one of the first online sports betting sites in the world.

The sportsbook is smaller than most and doesn’t have the same depth of sports offered at the likes of BetOnline and Bovada. In fact, if you were betting on anything other than US-based sports, we would probably avoid it. That being said, they have an incredibly good range of betting lines for the likes of NFL and NBA games, with a good range of markets to choose from.

Because of its strong betting lines, Everygame is best used for parlay betting. There is a “Hottest Bets” section that includes the four or five of the most popular bets of the day included to make a parlay. Couple this with a good selection of markets and props, and you can start to get really creative.

The casino can be accessed via instant play, download, or mobile (via mobile browser, no dedicated app). With almost 300 games to choose from, it’s well-stocked and updated regularly. It splits games across the “Red” and “Classic” casinos, which is unnecessarily confusing and has the same range of games for the most part. However, it also has dedicated promotions for each, so the option to choose between these is a big plus.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 7/10
• Mobile Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Sportsbook: 8/10
• Casino: 8/10
• Live Casino: 7/10
• Poker: 7/10
• Customer Support: 9/10

Pros & Cons:

5. BetNow – A long-Established Sportsbook and Online Casino

• Payout time: 24 hours
• Established: 2005
• License: Curacao
• Headquarters: London
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 8.4/10

BetNow has been live since 2005 and, in that time, has created one of the best online sportsbooks and casino packages for players in California and throughout the US. The range of promotions is one of the biggest selling points, with sign-up offers linked to the sportsbook, casino, and racebook.

The sportsbook is compact regarding the range of sports, with the main coverage coming from US-based sports such as basketball, football, baseball, and hockey. Outside of this, soccer, tennis, and esports, as well as horse racing, are notable inclusions.

Casino games are accessible online and via mobile and include slots, video poker, keno, live dealer games, and progressives with a little over 100 games in total, it’s a small casino in comparison to others, but the reality is that there’s more than enough games for most players. We were impressed with the write-up that each game has outlined features, how it works, how to win, and payouts.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 8/10
• Mobile Experience: 7/10
• Registration Process: 7/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Sportsbook: 7/10
• Casino: 6/10
• Live Casino: 8/10
• Poker: N/A
• Customer Support: 9/10

Pros & Cons:

6. MyBookie – One of the Biggest CA Online Gambling Sites

• Payout time: 48 hours
• Established: 2014
• License: Curacao
• Headquarters: Costa Rica
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 8.4/10

The sportsbook is one of the biggest that we’ve tested, with more than 20 sports in total. What’s most impressive is the coverage that each sport gets, particularly regarding prop bets. For example, most NFL games have 250+ markets across the board. The only gripe is that betting lines can be hit or miss, so it’s important to still shop around when using MyBookie.

Depth continues into the casino, with more than 400 games from developers that include Betsoft, Nucleus Gaming, and Concept Gaming. It’s got a good balance between slots and table games, with a dedicated “Featured” section that includes the latest titles on the platform. The only drawback is the lack of a search function, which makes targeting specific slots tough, given the volume you need to scroll through.

Its Live Casino has recently been revamped and improved. Games include roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and various mixed titles. You can play all these on mobile, and most have exceptionally high-quality streams and dealers.

Horse racing is separate from the main sportsbook and includes races worldwide, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. It’s a basic-looking racebook, but functionally works well and has a good range of straight and exotic bet types to choose from.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 10/10
• Desktop Experience: 8/10
• Mobile Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 9/10
• Sportsbook: 9/10
• Casino: 8/10
• Live Casino: 8/10
• Poker: N/A
• Customer Support: 8/10

Pros & Cons:

7. Lucky Block – Instant New Account Registration and Withdrawals

• Payout time: Instant
• Established: 2022
• License: Curacao
• Headquarters: Curacao
• Available in California: Yes (via VPN)

Our Verdict: 8.3/10

Lucky Block is a crypto-based sportsbook and online casino. To get access, you need to use a VPN, as it’s restricted to some parts of the US and UK. However, it’s perfectly legal and safe to both register, deposit, and play.

The sportsbook is huge. With more than 30 sports to bet on, it’s one of the biggest we’ve tested and comes packed with features. Given its size, having a “Favorites” feature is a massive plus as it allows you to quickly sort and jump the sports or markets that you need the most.

Betting lines throughout the sportsbook are strong and compete with the likes of BetOnline and Bovada. Esports is one of the most popular markets, with games that include FIFA, Call of Duty, League of Legends, and DOTA.

The casino benefits from stocking game developers such as Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, and Push Gaming. There are hundreds of games to choose from, and the ability to demo play most is a big advantage for those new to the sector.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 10/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Sportsbook: 8/10
• Casino: 8/10
• Live Casino: 8/10
• Poker: N/A
• Customer Support: 8/10

Pros & Cons:

8. Mega Dice – Wide Range of Crypto Payment Options

• Payout time: Instant
• Established: 2023
• License: Curacao
• Headquarters: Curacao
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 8.4/10

Mega Dice is another crypto-based casino and sportsbook that allows users to deposit and withdraw using cryptocurrencies. Don’t worry if you don’t own crypto, as you’re able to buy it directly from the site using a range of payment options that include Visa and MasterCard.

The platform comes with both sports betting and casino options. In terms of sports, Mega Dice has a huge range to choose from and will be of particular interest to those betting on soccer, tennis, football, and basketball. Live betting is the HUB of the sportsbook and comes with a brilliant match center and in-game statistics.

The casino has integrated some of the best game developers in the industry, such as Evolution, NetEnt, Relax Gaming, and Pragmatic Play. Slots make up most of the games, with more than 500 to choose from. But it’s the live dealer section that was the star of the show, with 40+ games in total, each running exceptionally high-quality streams and brilliant dealers throughout. Games included roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, Dragon Tiger, and various poker variants.

It’s worth noting that Mega Dice and Lucky Block are very similar in terms of looks and the range of games/sports you can bet on. They do, however, have different promotions, so it’s worth using both if only to take advantage of these.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 8/10
• Mobile Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 10/10
• Payment Methods: 9/10
• Sportsbook: 8/10
• Casino: 8/10
• Live Casino: 9/10
• Poker: N/A
• Customer Support: 8/10

Pros & Cons:

9. XBet – Low Wagering Requirements for Welcome Bonuses

• Payout time: 48 hours
• Established: 2007
• License: Curacao
• Headquarters: Curacao
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 8.2/10

XBet’s sportsbook is packed with features, such as live betting, cash out, match centers, and live stats. It’s not the easiest sportsbook to navigate, with what we would call a dated design, but in terms of the depth and range of sports and markets on offer, it’s up there with the likes of BetOnline and Bovada.

One of the reasons the sportsbook is so popular is the betting lines. It charges slightly lower juice than most of its rivals, meaning the savings are passed on to the bettors. These prices aren’t “best” across the board, but with a little effort, there is significant value to be found versus a lot of the competition.

The casino is an extension of the sportsbook and would struggle as a stand-alone entity. The range of games is limited to around 250 in total, but it’s the layout and design that lets it down. There are no menus or search functions to sort, which means it’s a bit of a mess to work through.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 7/10
• Mobile Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 7/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Sportsbook: 8/10
• Casino: 5/10
• Live Casino: 6/10
• Poker: N/A
• Customer Support: 9/10

Pros & Cons:

10. BetUS – Oldest Online Sportsbook and CA Gambling Site

• Payout time: 24-48 hours
• Established: 1994
• License: Mwali, Comoros Union
• Headquarters: US
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 8.3/10

BetUS has been online (in some form) since 1994, making it the oldest site on our list. The brand can offer sports, casinos, live betting, a dedicated racebook, and a TV channel, which is unique to BetUS.

The sportsbook is, admittedly, US-heavy, covering the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA in huge depth. It has around 20 other sports to bet on, but coverage is nowhere near the same level as these sports. The design of the sportsbooks is excellent, and we loved the inclusion of features such as odds boost and props builder.

With more than 550 games to choose from within the casino, BetUS has created a massive catalog to choose from, taking games from the likes of Betsoft, Nucleus Gaming, and Fresh Deck Solutions. Linked with each game is a demo play version, ideal for those wanting to test. The only gripe is the layout, with large blocks for each game, meaning you see just two per line and no search function.

As the only site to have a live-streaming platform, BetUS includes shows that preview games and sports for the week. The NFL Show, hosted by Jared Smith, is extremely popular, but you’ve also streamed on the NCAAF, UFC, MLB, Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Champions League, Boxing, and NBA, to name a few. All are focused on betting and are great for free tips from incredibly informed sources.

Features Overview

• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 7/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Sportsbook: 9/10
• Casino: 8/10
• Live Casino: 7/10
• Poker: N/A
• Customer Support: 8/10

Pros & Cons:

Comparing the Best California Gambling Sites

The table gives you an overview of the best California online gambling sites for real money. For each, we’ve included what the brand offers in terms of gambling options.

Is Gambling Legal in California?

Online gambling sites remain illegal currently due to legislation restrictions. However, there are other areas that you need to consider when we look at California online gambling legalities.

This legislation does not include tribal land where several casinos are located. It also doesn’t include offshore gambling sites, which allow people from California to sign up, deposit, and gamble online.

There are multiple upsides to using offshore gambling sites, which include better odds, zero California gambling tax to pay on winnings, larger bonuses, and the ability to both deposit and withdraw with crypto. No one from the US has been prosecuted for using these sites.

When will Gambling be Legal in the State?

Regarding regulated sites, there is no timeframe for when this will be legalized in California. There have been several attempts to try and legalize, but all have, so far, failed, even after support from the California Gambling Control Commission.

The earliest that it could come into play would be 2024, but at the time of writing, there’s nothing in the pipeline to suggest this will be possible. What’s promising for California online gambling for real money is that previous failed California gambling votes have been close, so it’s not as if there is an overwhelming objection.

Who can Gamble Online in California?

When it comes to offshore gambling sites in California, there are very few restrictions in place. The main one is that players need to be aged 21 or over, which is the legal gambling age in California, but aside from that, most players will be accepted.

It’s worth noting that you can sign up in a different state and still gamble with offshore sites in California. For example, if you live in Texas and travel to California, you won’t face any geo-restrictions as you would with regulated gambling sites.

Types of California Online Gambling Sites

The table below highlights the types of gambling sites you can access in California. For each category, we’ve added if they are allowed and, if so, the year they were legalized. This should give you an overview of what you can and can’t access. This is related to regulated sites and not offshore sites, which are all accessible.

Sports Gambling Sites

Sports gambling sites will be the most popular, with the likes of the NFL and NBA being two of the most notable sports to bet on. Moneyline, spread, and totals bets are the most common, with a range of prop bets, futures, and exotics linked throughout.

Casino Gambling Sites

Casino gambling sites are vast, often with hundreds, sometimes thousands of games to choose from. Slots make up the vast majority of these, with various formats that include progressives, jackpots, video, 3D, multi-line, themed, bonus rounds, fixed coin, and multi-payline games. Table games are the next most popular and include games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and craps.

Poker Gambling Sites

Online poker is very popular in California and ranges from dedicated poker sites to those linked with sports and casino. Games include cash, tournaments, and sit-and-go’s, with many now including Zoom (speed) variations to add an extra dynamic. Stakes will range, but for cash, start from 1c/2c, with high roller tables as high as $200/$400 on some sites.

Horse Gambling Sites

Horse gambling sites come in the form of racebooks and are generally separate from the main sportsbook. Coverage will be extensive for domestic races throughout the US, but most have international races included, from the likes of the UK, South Africa, and across Europe.

Esports Gambling Sites

Esports is on the rise, and the number of California online gambling sites that cover it is growing. The most popular games to bet on include California CSGO gambling, Call of Duty, FIFA, League of Legends, and DOTA.

Lottery Gambling Sites

None of the offshore gambling sites that we recommend have lottery betting options. However, there are alternatives to this within most of the casinos, with games like keno, bingo, and scratchcards.

Politics Gambling Sites

Political gambling is another emerging market. These sites will allow you to bet on things such as the Presidential election and senate votes. You can even bet on which party will win the most seats or the party’s leader in the next election.

How to Sign Up to a Gambling Site in California

We’ve taken our number one ranked gambling site in California, BetOnline, and provided a step-by-step guide on registering an account. The time it takes to register and verify offshore accounts is much less than regulated sites, which is one of many reasons we recommend these types of sites for residents of California.

1. Open BetOnline Site

The process starts by opening the BetOnline site. To create an account, you will need to click on the “Join” button, which is located at the top of the page.

2. Enter Personal Info

Use the boxes to enter your personal information and create your account. You must enter your name, email address, and password, confirm your location, phone number, and add your date of birth.

3. Confirm Your Account

Once the account has been created, BetOnline will email a verification link. You need to click this link to confirm your account before you log in.

4. Log In and Deposit

Log in to your account and click on the “Cashier” button. Within the cashier will be a range of deposit options that are accessible for your account. Choose one of the options and follow the on-screen process.

5. Bet at the Sportsbook/Casino

When the deposit has been processed, you can bet in the sportsbook or the casino. Use the menu at the top of the page to choose what you want to do. BetOnline has options for sports betting, live betting, casino, racebook, poker, esports, and contests.

Gambling Bonuses Available in California

One of the best things about registering with an offshore gambling account in California is that you can access a wide range of bonuses. Each bonus works a little differently, and we’ve outlined how these work below.

• Welcome Bonuses: This is for new accounts and can range between deposit match offers, free spins, and free bets.
• Deposit Match Bonuses: A bonus based on the amount you deposit. For example, a 100% match on a $100 deposit would mean you get $100 in bonus cash.
• No Deposit Bonuses: A bonus applied to your account without having to make a deposit to trigger it.
• On-going Promotions: Short-term offers, such as seasonal bonuses or free bets based on a certain sporting event.
• Free Bets: A free bet offered by a sportsbook. Usually triggered when you deposit or wager a certain amount.
• Free Spins: A host of free spins on a casino slot game where you keep the winnings without having to pay.
• Loyalty Program: Earn points as you bet that can be converted into prizes or bonuses.

Payment Methods Available at California Online Gambling Sites

One of the biggest benefits of using offshore gambling sites in California is that you can access a wide range of payment methods, much larger than at regulated sites. Below, we’ve outlined what you can expect to find and how they work.

• Cryptocurrencies: Crypto is now the number one deposit method for offshore gambling sites. One of the main reasons is that it processes withdrawals instantly, meaning that you don’t need to wait to get your cash. Popular methods include Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum. It’s worth noting that a lot of gambling sites have dedicated (and boosted) bonuses for deposits with crypto.
• Traditional Payment Methods:Traditional payment methods include the likes of Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. This is still the most convenient way to deposit for most, but you may find that withdrawals are limited, and the minimum deposit amounts are much higher than crypto.
• Ewallets: One of the few downsides to offshore betting is the fact that ewallets, such as PayPal, are not permitted.

Tax on Gambling Winnings in California

When using offshore gambling sites, you don’t need to pay tax on online winnings in California. However, if you were betting on horse racing, land-based casinos, or the lottery, then the California gambling tax will be applied.

Your winnings will be taxed as personal income, adding them to the same pool. The amount will depend on multiple circumstances, such as your marital status. This will then range anywhere from 1% up to 12.3%. These include both federal and state taxes.

California Gambling Apps and Mobile Sites

Mobile gambling is the industry’s future, and more than 50% of all wagers are now on mobile. Offshore gambling sites don’t have dedicated apps, but they do have mobile sites, which are arguably more accessible.

These mobile sites work in the same way that an app on Android or iPhone would, without the need to download. Once you land on the site within your mobile browser, it will be designed to work perfectly on mobile across all devices.

Gambling Sites vs Land-Based Gambling Facilities in California

Online gambling in California for real money is much more popular than land-based gambling facilities. One of the main reasons is the ease of access, but in this section, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of betting online compared with betting in-person.

Best Gambling Sites Software Providers

Online casinos come with a range of software providers. This allows them to create a unique gaming catalog based on the providers they host. Below, we’ve included the best gambling software providers for offshore casinos.

Betsoft

Betsoft has been around since 2006 and is now widely recognized as the leading casino game developer in the business. It stocks more than 200 games in total across 500 brands, reaching millions of players every year.

The brand covers all aspects of California online casinos, from slots to table games to video poker. However, it’s the diverse range of brilliant online slots that most casinos tap into, creating not only visually stunning games but also feature-rich and in-depth gameplay.

Rival Gaming

Rival is a dominant name in the iGaming sector and has created a powerful range of casino games. It has created almost 200 titles, with plenty now synonymous within the online casino sector, such as Kaboom, Mythic Wolf, and Diamond Rhino.

The brand’s success means it is integrated with hundreds of online casinos, which has, in turn, created a huge progressive jackpot network. Games such as Major Moolah, Money Magic, and One Million Reels BC often generate jackpots into the millions.

Realtime Gaming

Realtime Gaming is one of the oldest game developers, launching way back in 1998 when online casinos were very much a niche market. The growth has been impressive, becoming one of the first to enter the mobile market, implement flash and download options, and open its doors to affiliate marketing developments.

The games catalog is now over 300 strong. Each has one of its many exclusive features installed, such as feature guarantees, jackpot pyramid, boiling point jackpot, and Vegas three-card rummy. It also boasts one of the largest selections of live dealer games, which is a huge selling point for the brand and one of the main reasons that so many casinos use their games.

Tips on How to Stay Safe When Gambling Online in California

Staying safe when gambling in California should be your main priority. All of the sites we recommend on this page are 100% safe and secure, but we wanted to highlight ways to maximize safety and avoid sites that are essentially scams.

Legislation

Legislation is one of the key factors to gambling in any state, and for California, it’s no different. Currently, it’s illegal for brands to set up online gambling sites in California. This includes sports, casinos, and poker. However, it is legal for tribal lands and racetracks to provide casino and horse racing betting options as they fall outside the state and federal jurisdiction.

There are no California gambling laws in place to prevent players from accessing gambling sites located outside of the state or outside of the country. These are called offshore gambling sites and include brands outlined in this guide. No one has ever been fined or arrested for using these sites, as state and federal legislation does not state that it’s illegal to do so.

Secure Payment Methods

Only use secure payment methods. These will range based on what brands you’re comfortable using, but the likes of Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are all widely available on offshore gambling sites. You will also have access to crypto payments, arguably some of the safest payment methods around, given that each single account and transaction is fully encrypted.

Use Reputable Brands

The reality of the online gambling sector these days is that new sites are popping up every week. Some are legit and fully licensed, whereas others aren’t and are usually a cheap imitation of a reputable brand. Use the gambling sites on this page to ensure you access a safe, secure, and trusted environment.

Use a Secure Connection

A secure connection means that it’s very unlikely that someone can hack or gather account information. Many players now use VPNs for this reason, with sites like Lucky Block only working via a secure VPN connection.

Set a Budget

You want to enjoy your time gambling online and to do so, you need a budget. We all want to win money, but the reality is that winning online can be difficult. Set a budget that you are comfortable losing, then any winnings on top of this will be a bonus. Gambling should be used for enjoyment, not as a way to make money.

How California Online Gambling Compares to its Neighboring States

Online gambling in California for real money might not yet be regulated, but the state has a rich history with sports betting and casinos. There are dozens of tribal casinos and multiple racetracks within the state, all of which do very well for themselves and attract millions of punters annually.

Ironically, California is neighbors with the gambling capital of the world, Nevada (Las Vegas, to be more specific). It also shares borders with Arizona and Oregon, both of which have legalized gambling online within the last couple of years.

Given the state’s already thriving gambling sector and the fact that neighboring states are starting to reap the rewards from legislation, we don’t think it will be too long before California follows suit.

Gambling Locations in California

California is blessed with 100+ casinos in the state. It’s one of the largest collections of land-based casinos in the United States and, as a result, is one of the most popular gambling destinations. Below, we’ve included our top five gambling locations in California.

Morongo Casino Resort and Spa

• Address: 49500 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230, USA
• Opening hours: 24/7

Morongo Casino Resort is set over a stagging 44 acres. Opened in 2004, the casino has more than 4,000 gaming machines, 74 table games, and 13 poker tables. There are 11 eateries, a spa, a 300-room hotel, and a private golf course.

Pechanga Resort Casino

• Address: 45000 Pechanga Pkwy, Temecula, CA 92592, USA
• Opening hours: 24/7

Pechanga Casino is located in Temecula and has a massive 188,000 square feet of casino floor space, making it larger than the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It includes 4,000 gaming machines and 154 table games, all running within a hotel with more than 1,000 guest rooms.

Thunder Valley Casino

• Address: 1200 Athens Ave, Lincoln, CA 95648, USA
• Opening hours: 24/7

Thunder Valley Casino is a 5-star luxury casino resort and one of the most popular party spots in the state. The 144,500 square foot casino floor is packed with 3,400 slots, 114 table games, and a state-of-the-art poker room. It has five eateries, including High Steaks restaurant, which is upscale fining dining and AAA Four Diamond rated.

Graton Resort and Casino

• Address: 288 Golf Course Dr W, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA
• Opening hours: 24/7

In terms of floor space, Graton Casino is the biggest in California, with the casino spread over 317,500 square feet. Included are 3,300 gaming machines, 141 table games, and 20 poker tables. The site opened in 2013 but was expanded in 2016 to the tune of $175 million, invested by owners Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon

• Address: CA-99, California, USA
• Opening hours: 24/7

The Hard Rock Casino is one of the newest casinos in California, opening in 2022 by the Tejon Indian Tribe. The cost of the casino is $600 million and boats a 400-room hotel, 165,000 square feet casino, 3,000 gaming machines, and 13 restaurants.

Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling is taken very seriously in California, and all of the sites that we’ve included in our guide have measures in place to track and help those that need it. These include time management systems, account suspensions and, if needed, account closures.

The Best Gambling Site in California

BetOnline has been voted as the best gambling site in California. The site is one of the oldest and most trusted brands in the industry and offers a package of sports, casino, poker, and horse racing.

We were impressed with the range of sports to bet on and the competitiveness of the betting lines throughout the sportsbook. The casino, with more 500 games to choose from, is well stocked and changes frequently, removing games that are outdated and adding new, innovative titles from a series of game developers on its books.

The icing on the cake is the range of promotions, which are designed to target sports, casino and poker, depending on your game of choice. Bonuses are healthy in size and wagering requirements are relatively low, making them easy to clear.

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