Best California Sports Betting Sites 2023 – Compare CA Sportsbooks

Regulation for California sports betting is not currently in place, meaning that it’s not possible to wager on sites located within the state. An alternative to regulated sites is offshore sportsbooks that provide a legal and openly used substitute.

Here at Techopedia, we’ve included the best California online sportsbooks and will highlight which sites to use and what they offer regarding coverage and promotions. Each online sportsbook is located offshore and caters to all California residents.

Comparing All California Online Sportsbooks

Use the table below to compare California sports betting sites. We’ve added areas where they excel and information on the signup bonus and bonus code where applicable. These are the best betting sites in California right now.

Reviews of the Best California Online Sports Betting Sites

Following the list above of the best California sports betting apps and sites, we’ve included in-depth reviews of how each works. Our reviews are created within our team and are the cumulation of hours of testing to find what works and what doesn’t.

1. BetOnline  – Overall Best California Sports Betting Site

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

Our Verdict: 9/10

BetOnline is our top-rated CA sports betting site. It’s a brand that’s been around for over 30 years, and its depth in terms of sports and market coverage is almost unrivaled, even though its design is a little dated.

US sports coverage is massive. The NFL and NBA are signature sports for BetOnline, closely followed by the MLB and NHL. The spread, moneyline, and totals markets are where most bets are made, but the inclusion of game, team, and in-play prop bets adds much-needed depth.

Many pro bettors use BetOnline, which is down to their competitive betting lines. Depending on the sport or market you’re betting on, we’ve seen them as much as 10% better than the next best, even on popular markets such as spreads and totals.

The addition of features like odds boosters, same-game parlays, and dedicated prop bet sections is one of many selling points for the brand. The odds boost section, in particular, is taking lines already near enough industry-best and creating more separation between them and the competition.

In addition to the sportsbook is a racebook and esports betting section. Within the racebook is coverage from around the world with betting markets that include straight bets and exotics. Esports is one of the newer additions to the site and targets leagues and series from various games, including FIFA, NBA2K, Counter Strike, and League of Legends.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 10/10
• Betting Odds: 9/10
• Streaming & Features: 7/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 8/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 9/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Customer Support: 9/10

Top Sign-up Offers:

Pros & Cons:

2. Bovada – Great Design and Easy to Claim Welcome Offer

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

Our Verdict: 9/10

Bovada is one of few sports betting sites in California with the firepower to keep up with BetOnline. When it comes to design, it trumps the market leader with a clean, modern look that’s much more in keeping with a 21st-century online sportsbook.

Coverage across the board is very good, with US sports such as the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA all having an excellent range of markets. Top games will have over 200 to bet on, increasing as you move into the live betting section. In fact, the live betting section is one of its strongest features, with access to an integrated match center.

What’s impressive about Bovada is that it’s not just US sports that benefit from its coverage. Tennis, soccer, esports, boxing, and golf have dozens of markets for games hosted worldwide.

In terms of features, the sportsbook isn’t as strong as BetOnline. The props builder is a notable addition, allowing you to pick from sports, leagues, and markets throughout the ‘book. You can create same-game parlays here, with odds adjusted automatically and in real time as you add/remove picks.

Horse racing has a separate racebook; while relatively basic information is available, it’s very usable. Meetings include the US, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and larger races across Europe and Asia.

Easily one of the best betting sites in California right now.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 9/10
• Betting Odds: 8/10
• Streaming & Features: 8/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Customer Support: 8/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

3. BetNow – Huge Range of Promotions and Excellent Betting Lines

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

Our Verdict: 8.8/10

BetNow has been online since 2005 and, in that time, has become popular for the range of sports betting promotions it offers. Not only do they include a generous welcome offer, but on top of this, players can claim reload bonuses and sports-specific offers, such as enhanced places paid for horse racing and college football bonuses.

The size of the sportsbook is much smaller than both BetOnline and Bovada. It’s got around a dozen sports to choose from, with the usual suspects available, such as football, basketball, hockey, tennis, soccer, and baseball. The lack of niche sports will discourage some from using the platform, but the reality is most of you’ll be delighted with the current lineup.

One of the best-selling points is the vigorish charged throughout the sportsbook. It’s considerably lower than most, meaning you get better odds and more money for placing the same bets. As a result, the site has become increasingly popular with professional bettors who bet in volumes that take advantage of the reduced fees on offer.

It would do BetNow a disservice to state that they are a “back to basics” sportsbook, as they are more than that. But it’s fair to say it doesn’t have the bells and whistles when compared to the two brands above. Nevertheless, if you’re after a site that does the basics better than anyone in terms of promotions and betting lines, BetNow is an easy pick.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 7/10
• Betting Odds: 10/10
• Streaming & Features: 6/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 7/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Customer Support: 8/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

4. Everygame – Best for Parlay Bets and Leaderboards

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

Our Verdict: 8.6/10

Everygame has been online since 1996, making it one of the oldest online betting sites in the world. Over the years, it’s created an incredible brand, launching dozens of betting lines every week across multiple sports.

The sportsbook is solid without being too flashy. Coverage of major sports is as expected, but it lacks depth of markets compared to some. We were impressed to see some interesting markets, such as the stock market, making them one of very few that allows bets on how markets will close.

Its strengths lie within promotions and, in particular, parlay boosts. These run weekly, with a fixed parlay launching via their blog that users can then bet via the sportsbook. They also run a series of challenges throughout the year, such as the $5k Baseball Challenge, where winning bets will earn points to climb a leaderboard. The top-ranked bettors will earn their share of the $5k prize pool.

Special offers are one of many highlights, creating value outside the main welcome promotions. These include odds boosts, free bets, crypto bonuses, sports betting pools, and leaderboards. For example, at the time of writing, it’s got a $1k parlay leaderboard where the players with the most monthly profit will get a bonus applied to their account. All of these are free to enter.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 8/10
• Betting Odds: 8/10
• Streaming & Features: 7/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 9.5/10
• Desktop Experience: 7/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 7/10
• Customer Support: 8/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

5. BetUS  – Biggest Range of Promotions for New and Existing Players

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

Our Verdict: 8.5/10

BetUS is the king of promotions and bonuses. They have a host of welcome offers that can be claimed and used within the sportsbook, including your standard deposit match, crypto bonuses, and cash offers.

The sportsbook, in its own right, is very good. Including features such as a prop builder, and odds boosts, which add much-needed depth. The design is worth noting as one of the better ones we’ve tested.

The range of sports and markets is impressive. Football and basketball are notable standouts, with hundreds of prop bets for all games. The depth of markets ramps up in the playoffs, often linking with multiple offers for new and existing players.

BetUS TV is the ace up their sleeve. This is a TV channel that you can stream online, which includes previews of many sports, including the NFL, college football, UFC, MLB, and Premier League soccer. It’s one of several examples of how BetUS goes above and beyond compared with most of the competition.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 9/10
• Betting Odds: 8/10
• Streaming & Features: 10/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 10/10
• Desktop Experience: 8/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 7/10
• Customer Support: 8/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

6. MyBookie – Excellent Betting Lines Across the Sportsbook

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

Our Verdict: 8.5/10

The sports lobby has a lot going on, but including multiple menus means it’s easy to navigate. Given the range of sports you can access at MyBookie, the menu sections are much needed, and the inclusion of a breadcrumb layout allows users to jump back to single pages rather than having to navigate from the start. This may seem like a small feature, but in terms of usability, it’s huge.

The betting lines are some of the best that we’ve tested. The popularity of MyBookie means lines are constantly changing, so you need to time when to place a bet to get the best possible price. They are one of the few to compete with BetOnline and Bovada, with some markets even surpassing them.

Coverage across main sports such as NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, and soccer is excellent. For example, NFL games have around 300 prop bets on top of the main spread, moneyline, and total bets. Markets drop off for “lesser” sports, but we’d still say coverage is good compared with other sportsbooks.

One of the best features of MyBookie is the betting blog. This is updated daily and covers major games for the day/week. Most are betting previews, which allow users to see possible bets and find value. It’s not something most sportsbooks in California offer, so to have such well-informed articles is a massive bonus.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 9/10
• Betting Odds: 9/10
• Streaming & Features: 8/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 7/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 7/10
• Registration Process: 7/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Customer Support: 8/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

7. BUSR  – Award Winning Customer Support

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

Our Verdict: 8.4/10

BUSR is enjoying a relatively new and much-needed overhaul in terms of design. It’s a clean-looking site, with little noise or clutter to allow bettors to get on with betting. Menus are accessible down the left and across the top online, with a collapsible option for mobile users.

Market coverage across the sportsbook is very good. We were impressed with the range of prop bets in general, but the inclusion of multiple alternative handicaps and spreads is what sets them apart from the competition. For example, you can be on up to five different covers for each game in MLB.

Live streaming is one of the best features of the sportsbook. This section is integrated into the live betting area and includes games from multiple sports, including the NFL. Other notable features include cash out, quick pay crypto payouts, a huge range of payment options and an award-winning customer support team.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 9/10
• Betting Odds: 7/10
• Streaming & Features: 9/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 9/10
• Desktop Experience: 8/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 8/10
• Payment Methods: 7/10
• Customer Support: 9/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

8. Sportsbetting.ag  – Best for Betting on Niche Sports

• Payout time: 24-48 hours
• Established: 1999
• License: Panama
• Headquarters: Panama
• Available in California: Yes

Our Verdict: 8.4/10

Another sportsbook that has massively benefitted from a recent redesign is that of SportsBetting.ag. The site now has a modern feel and is not too dissimilar to that of BetOnline, which we rate as one of the best.

The sportsbook is one of the biggest in terms of coverage. The usual suspects are all there, but the inclusion of niche sports such as darts, lacrosse, table tennis, volleyball, and wrestling is most impressive. Market coverage within these sports is not great, but even having straight bets, such as moneyline and spreads, is a welcomed addition.

The props builder was the most entreating feature to use when testing. It’s a separate platform from the main sportsbook and allows bettors to quickly jump between sports, leagues, games, and markets to create parlays from the prop bets. Alternatively, if you wanted to bet on a single prop, you’d just search for the game within the main sportsbook.

Same game parlays are accessible (usually accessible via the props builder) along with odds boosts, making them very competitive in betting lines. For new players, we strongly advise jumping into Sportsbook 101, which gives a series of tips and strategies that bettors can apply to be more profitable.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 9/10
• Betting Odds: 8/10
• Streaming & Features: 8/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 7/10
• Desktop Experience: 8/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 7/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Customer Support: 7/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

9. Lucky Block – Instant Sign Up and Withdrawals

• Payout time: Instant
• Established: 2023
• License: Curacao
• Headquarters: Curacao
• Available in California: Yes (via VPN)

Our Verdict: 8.3/10

One of the world’s first crypto-sportsbooks, Lucky Block has continued to impress in its relatively short time within the sports betting sector. Its unique design means it offers something very different from the rest of the competition, with the ability to jump seamlessly between the sportsbook and one of the best online casinos.

With 40+ sports to bet on, it’s the biggest in our list. Coverage is excellent throughout and we were impressed with the range of smaller betting markets such as cricket, hockey, Formula 1, and golf. Esports is a notable inclusion, with a dedicated section and huge range of games and markets to bet on.

The only negative is that betting lines aren’t as consistent as some. It’s not terrible by any means, but if you’re looking for the best possible odds from a single sportsbook, BetOnline and Bovada would be better alternatives.

That being said, the fact that it has no KYC linked means you can create an account in seconds with no need to verify. You can also instantly withdraw using one of the dozen or so crypto deposit options. Don’t worry if you don’t have or use crypto, as you can buy these directly from the site with no fees attached.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 8/10
• Betting Odds: 7/10
• Streaming & Features: 8/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 9/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 9/10
• Registration Process: 10/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Customer Support: 7/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

10. 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 of the new-breed crypto-based sportsbooks that have recently hit the market. The site looks and feels very similar to that of Lucky Block, but that’s no bad thing, as between the two, they have great designs and are very easy to use.

The sportsbook is best known for its live betting section, and as soon as you land, you can tell this is the heartbeat of the site. Most games have an interactive match center that allows you to track stats, data, and scores and see the current range of live betting markets. There’s no live streaming, which is one of the few negatives.

Esports is the only market that has live streaming, and this is linked to YouTube. Basically, when games are live across YouTube, they include them on-site from various channels, but you need to note there’s a slight delay between what you see and the markets, as they run live.

We were impressed with the “favorites” feature, where you can add sports and games to this section to condense the main sportsbook. Mega Dice has a large range of crypto payment options, great customer service, and as a package, is one of the most exciting brands we’ve tested for some time.

Features Overview

• Betting Options: 8/10
• Betting Odds: 8/10
• Streaming & Features: 8/10
• Promotions & Rewards: 8/10
• Desktop Experience: 8/10
• Mobile & App Experience: 8/10
• Registration Process: 9/10
• Payment Methods: 8/10
• Customer Support: 8/10

Top Sign-Up Offer:

Pros & Cons:

Is Sports Betting Legal in California?

In 2018, the federal law to ban sports betting in the US was lifted. This allowed states to license and regulate in-person and online sports betting as they see fit. However, the process to do so takes time, and as of yet, sports betting in California still hasn’t materialized in regulated sites.

So, what does this mean?

Legislation is not in place for gambling operators to apply for a license in California. This means that licensed operators are not accessible, and therefore, you can’t bet at US-regulated sportsbooks.

However, the legislation does not include offshore sports betting sites. The sites we’ve listed at Techopedia are all offshore and cavailable to California residents. They come with benefits like better odds, and a wider range of sports and markets to bet on than regulated sites. Plus they accept cryptocurrencies as payment options, and since they don’t report your winnings you don’t need to pay tax. We advise you to seek out professional advice around your tax return.

When Will Sports Betting be Legal in California?

The timeframe for regulated sites in California is unknown. There have been multiple attempts to legalize it, but as of yet, none have made it through Congress.

As a result, the earliest that this could come into play would be 2024. One of the positives is that voting for online sports betting in California has been close. Prop 27 was filled in 2021 and missed by just a few votes, with issues surrounding how the tax would be paid, collected, and distributed as one of the biggest stalling blocks.

The popularity of sports in the state and the fact that it borders states such as Nevada means that legislation in California should be more of a matter of when than if.

How to Sign Up for a California Sportsbook

BetOnline is rated as our best California sports betting site. We will use this as a guide to highlight how to create an account with a California sportsbook.

1. Create an account

Open the BetOnline sportsbook and click on the green “Join” button at the top of the page. If you end up on a landing page, you may have a dedicated “Join” button, but it will all lead to the same place.

2. Enter account information

The popup will prompt you to enter a host of information for your account, such as your name, email address, phone number, and date of birth. Ensure you enter an email address you’ve access to, as you may be asked to verify your account before you get started.

3. Make a deposit

Once your account has been set up, click on the “Banking” button at the top of the page. This will open the cashier and show you all of the banking options that are available to you. If you’re using a promo code, this is where you need to enter it.

4. Navigate to the sportsbook

When the deposit has cleared, head back to the sportsbook. You can use the menu system on BetOnline to find the sports and markets you want to bet on. Take the time to look around and familiarize yourself with how the sportsbook works before placing a bet.

5. Place a bet

To place a bet, click on the odds to add the selection to your bet slip. Use the “Risk” box to enter your stake in the bet slip. It’ll automatically highlight how much your bet will return if you win. When happy, click the “Place Bet” at the bottom of the page. You can keep track of live bets within the bet slip by clicking on the “My Bets” tab.

California Online Sports Betting Bonuses

One of the best things about using offshore California sports betting sites is the range of sportsbook bonuses. New accounts will always have access to a welcome offer, but most sites include existing player promos, such as reload bonuses, and odds boosts.

Below, we’ve outlined a range of sports betting promotions and included more information on how each works.

• Welcome Bonuses: The bonus is accessible for new accounts. Usually, it comes in the form of a deposit match.
• Deposit Match Bonuses: A bonus based on a percentage of the amount of money you deposit, e.g., 100% up to $1,000.
• No Deposit Bonuses: A bonus applied to your account that doesn’t require an initial deposit.
• On-going Promotions: Promotions linked to specific time-sensitive events. It can include major sporting events like the Super Bowl, or holiday seasons, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.
• Free Bets: A set number of free bets throughout the sportsbook.
• Odds Boosts: Higher odds than the sportsbook’s original price.
• Parlay Insurance: If all but one of your parlay bets wins, the original stake will be refunded.
• Loyalty Bonuses: Rewards, such as VIP, will benefit players who bet big or high volume.

California Apps and Mobile Betting

The mobile sports betting sector continues to grow, with around 55% of bettors placing bets on their mobile. As a result, sportsbooks are starting to take a mobile-first approach, which means that usability and accessibility on mobile devices are bigger than ever.

Offshore betting sites don’t use what we would describe as traditional sports betting apps in California. There are no download options but they all have mobile betting sites that can be accessed on iOS and Android phones.

The decision to use mobile sites, instead of apps, increases accessibility and reduces the ever-increasing number of apps people have on their phones. Thus making it easier and more convenient to bet using CA sports betting apps.

The best sports betting site in California is BetOnline. You can access the site via your mobile browser and use all of the sports, markets, and promotions you’d find from the online platform.

Pros & Cons of California Mobile Betting Sites over Desktop

Below, we’ve included a series of pros and cons as to why we suggest using sports betting mobile sites in California over desktops.

Payment Methods in California

California sports betting apps and sites come with diverse payment options. What you get from offshore sites is access to payment methods that regulated sites don’t, such as crypto, and as a result, dramatically reduce processing times for both deposits and withdrawals.

• Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Bitcoin Cash are most common. Usually, they have no fees and instant deposit and withdrawal processing times.
• Traditional Payment Methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and bank transfer are all accessible. Some will come with fees, and processing times range from one to five working days for withdrawals.
• eWallets: Options like PayPal, Neteller, and Skill are generally not accepted on offshore CA betting sites. In the rare cases they are, you likely won’t be able to claim promotions using them.

Teams to Bet on in California

California has a huge range of sports teams to bet on. This covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, and soccer. They are one of the most successful states in the US regarding championship wins for professional sports teams.

Below, we’ve included a look at the biggest names and a little information on who they are.

Pro Sports

LA Dodgers – MLB

The LA Dodgers are among the most successful franchises in the MLB, with 21 wins, and the most recent coming in 2020. The team plays at Dodger Stadium and is renowned for its rowdy and passionate fanbase. Legendary players to have fielded for the Dodgers include Sandy Koufax, and Jackie Robinson.

Golden State Warriors – NBA

The Golden State Warriors are one of the biggest teams in the NBA. They were formed in 1946 and play home games at the Chase Center, located in San Francisco. In recent years, the team has taken the game to new heights, creating high-octane, exciting basketball, largely due to the roster being packed with stars such as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

San Francisco 49ers – NFL

The San Francisco 49ers play in the NFL and have won five Super Bowls in total, making them one of the most successful franchises in the sports history. They were established in 1944, played their first professional season in 1946, and currently host games at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara. Notable players for the 49ers include Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Joe Perry, and O.J. Simpson.

LA Galaxy – Soccer

Formed in 1994, the LA Galaxy was one of the first entries in the MLS (Major League Soccer) and is a member of the Western Conference. The club rose to fame in 2007 when they signed English soccer superstar David Beckham, a trailblazer for other international stars to enter the league. Games have been played at Dignity Health Sports Park since 2003, with notable players on their roster, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, and Landon Donovan.

Other notable pro sports teams in California:

• Los Angeles Angels – MLB
• San Francisco Giants – MLB
• LA Lakers – NBA
• LA Chargers – NFL
• LA Rams – NFL
• Oakland Athletics – MLB
• LA FC – Soccer
• LA Clippers – NBA
• Sacramento Kings – NBA
• San Jose Earthquakes – Soccer

Types of Bets in California

One of the many benefits of offshore California sports betting online sites is the increased range of markets you can access compared to regulated sites. Below, we’ve outlined what they are and how they work.

• Moneyline: A straight bet based on the game’s outcome without any handicaps applied.
• Points Spread: A handicap applied in terms of points or goals to level the playing field between both teams. The favorite will have points removed, and the underdog will have points added.
• Totals: An over/under bet on the total number of points scored combined by both teams.
• Player props: A range of markets that are linked to players in the game. This can be total running yards in the NFL or the number of points scored in the NBA, as examples.
• Team props: A range of markets linked to each team. This might include the total number of points for the team or alternative spreads applied.
• Parlays: A combination bet with two or more selections that both need to win to succeed. Odds are created based on the combination of betting lines for each single bet.
• Live Betting: Betting on games or markets that are in play as the game progresses when live.

How to Place a Bet

The process of placing a bet is relatively straightforward. Below, we’ve outlined how this works using any CA betting sites we promote at Techopedia and, notably, all legal sports betting in California.

1. Create an account and make a deposit
2. Head to the sportsbook and choose the sport you want to bet on
3. Find the game or market that you want to wager on
4. Click on the odds to add the selection to your bet slip
5. Enter your stake and confirm your selection

Popular Sports to Bet on in California

California has one of the biggest ranges of professional sports teams to bet on in the United States. As a result, this makes sports betting extremely popular. Below, we’ve included what sports you can access and the types of bets you can place.

• NFL: The San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Los Angeles Rams are the three NFL teams based in California. Betting sites will have excellent NFL coverage and include markets such as moneyline, spread, totals, rushing yards, touchdowns, winning margin, 1^st drive, and both teams to score a touchdown. BetOnline is our top pick for NFL betting.
• NBA: The Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, LA Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings are the five NBA teams in California. Betting markets include moneyline, spread, totals, winning margin, and first basket scorer to score a set number of points, rebounds, and assists. Bovada is our top pick for NBA betting.
• MLB: With thousands of games to bet on over the season, the MLB creates one of the most in-depth betting opportunities. Popular markets include total runs, handicap, three-way run lines, to hit a home run, and match-winning plays. BetNow has a huge selection of MLB betting markets and is our top-rated sportsbook.
• NHL: The Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks are the three NHL teams based in California. Betting markets include puck line (spread), totals, moneyline, anytime scorer, correct score, 60-minute score, exact goals, and overtime markets. BetOnline is the best place to bet on the NHL.
• NCAA Football/Basketball: California hosts some of the most iconic universities in the world and, as a result, has incredible NCAA teams in football and basketball. Notable inclusions are the University of Southern California, Stanford University, University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA), Berkeley, Fresno, and San Diego State University.
• Golf: Golf betting is most popular around the four majors (Master, US Open, The Open, and PGA Championship) and elevated PGA Tour events. Bovada is one of the best sportsbooks in California for golf betting and includes additional coverage around DP World Tour, LPGA, and, more recently, LIV Golf. Betting markets include outright winners, placed bets, head-to-head, and team matchups.
• Horse Racing: Horse racing is accessible with most of the larger California sports betting online sites and usually has a dedicated racebook outside the main sportsbook. Coverage across the US will include all domestic races, however, the best in the business, such as Bovada and BetOnline, have access to international racing fixtures in the UK, Asia, the Middle East, Australasia, and mainland Europe. Betting markets include straight wins, forecasts, tricast, and exotics.
• Esports: One of the fastest-growing betting markets is esports. The popularity online has developed into the online betting in California sector, with the range of games increasing all the time. Popular games include FIFA, Call of Duty, DOTA, League of Legends, and Counter Strike. Lucky Block has the industry’s biggest range of games and esports betting markets.
• DFS: Daily Fantasy Sports includes football and basketball options. This is where you make picks and get points for the players you include in your team based on their performance on the field.
• Other: Offshore sports betting options mean most sites have dozens of options. Notable alternatives to the list above include soccer, tennis, rugby, darts, cricket, boxing, MMA, UFC, cycling, table tennis and Aussie rules.

California Online Sports Betting Legislation Timeline

Regulation for online sports betting in California has been a slow process. Since the doors were opened in 2018, little has come from multiple attempts to get a deal done. Legislation is still some way off, but progress has been made over the last 12 months regarding the drop-off in numbers for those opposing.

• November 2022: California gambling voters reject all sports betting propositions, effectively causing a significant legislative roadblock and pushing it back by multiple years.
• July 2022: Propositions 26 and 27 are unveiled, proposing restrictions on retail sports betting in favor of tribal sports betting. Leading sports brands enter the fray, advocating for regulated retail sports betting as the optimal solution.
• May 2022: California’s tribal communities started supporting the legalization of gambling within the state. Meanwhile, legislators grappled with the challenge of harmonizing tribal and regulated sports betting.
• February 2022: A UC Berkeley poll revealed that 45% of Californian residents favored the legalization of gambling, while 33% opposed it, leaving 22% undecided.
• August 2021: The California Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act was introduced and endorsed by four cities in the state.

Tax on Sports Betting Winnings in California

Gambling winnings in California are classed as income and are therefore taxed as such. Your tax will be based on the amount you win and your main income. The state has a bracketed tax system ranging from 1% to 12.3%. The more you win/earn, the higher the tax bracket you will land in.

It’s worth noting that you don’t need to pay tax on winnings from offshore gambling tax. You don’t need to declare these winnings as sites are classed as international and don’t comply with state tax laws. However, you can declare these on tax forms if you wish, and we encourage you to do so to ensure no issues down the line should laws change.

Online Sportsbooks vs Land-Based Betting Facilities in California

Most sports betting in CA is online, using the best offshore betting sites such as BetOnline and Bovada. There are, of course, pros and cons to betting online compared with betting in land-based facilities in California, which we’ve outlined below.

How California Sports Betting Compares to its Neighboring States

California borders three states: Nevada, Oregon, and Arizona. All three states allow regulated gambling, giving operators the right to locate within the state, and provide sports betting options for its residents.

A general theme across the US is that states with regulated neighbors tend to follow suit eventually. One of the main reasons is that locals travel between states to gamble, which loses revenue for non-regulated states. As a result, this makes regulation a much more likely outcome for gambling in California.

Responsible Online Betting in California

Responsible gambling plays a huge role for legal sports betting sites in California. Measures are in place to ensure that gambling is safe and can offer help and support to those deemed to be problem gamblers.

The range of tools that CA betting sites host will vary but can include deposit limits, time limits, time management, account suspensions, account closures, betting limits, and betting volume limits.

California Problem Gambling Resources

• California Council on Problem Gambling – 1-800-426-2357
• Office of Problem Gambling
• California Gambling Control Commission

Best California Online Sports Betting Site for December 2023 – BetOnline

BetOnline is the best California sports betting site in the market. The site covers more sports than any of its rivals and has a wider range of markets and prop bets to utilize.

However, BetOnline’s dedication to betting features makes it stand out. Same game parlays, parlay builder, boosted odds, dedicated esports betting section, contests, and promos combine to make it a great package. Link together one of the best rewards programs for new and existing players, and you can see why BetOnline currently sits at the top of the tree.

As a result, it is one of the best betting sites in California right now.

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