California Sports Betting: Legal Daily Fantasy Sports Options Available
Top rated DFS and social sites in California
24 hours
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- ProphetX Toplist Benefits
- $300 Prophet Cash with 'COVERS' promo code
- Social media contests
- Custom odds via request
0-2 days
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- Underdog Fantasy Benefits
- Top DFS product
- 24/7 customer support
- Quick and secure withdrawals
1-3 days
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- Thrillzz Benefits
- Diverse gaming options
- User-friendly experience
- Free to play
Within 48 hours
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- Betr DFS Benefits
- 24/7 customer support
- Fun and interactive
- Various payment options
1-3 days
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- Novig Benefits
- Top social sportsbook
- Share with friends
- No purchase necessary
3-5 days
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- Parlay Play Benefits
- Mobile app available
- esports: CSGO, LoL, and Valorant
- Free to play section
1-3 days
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- GameBlazers Benefits
- Combine fantasy and collecting
- User friendly
- Innovative Platform
5-7 days
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- Boom Fantasy Benefits
- Fast and Easy
- Great mobile app
- Huge game library
4-5 days
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- FanBall Winners Benefits
- Daily contests
- NFL, NBA, and MLB
- Simple scoring system
- Population: 39.6 million
- Legal age for sports betting: 21
- Online sports betting: No
- Retail sportsbooks: No
- Daily Fantasy Sports: Yes
California sports betting updates
The legalization of sports betting in California will have to wait until 2025 at the earliest. Here’s a brief history of everything sports betting in the Golden State:
Jan 10, 2025: FanDuel, Flutter Entertainment donate $250k to Los Angeles fire relief to help aid in wildfire relief efforts with devastating fires hitting LA.
Dec. 30, 2024: A California lawsuit accuses High 5 Entertainment of operating its sweepstakes site illegally.
Nov. 13, 2024: Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie believes sports betting legalization in Texas will happen next legislative session, but he's not as bullish on California.
Oct. 23, 2024: The Sports Betting Alliance joins the California tribes against recent "pandemic" of sweepstakes and daily fantasy sports operators in the country.
Oct. 16, 2024: The California Nations Indian Gaming Association is ready to fight sweepstakes and daily fantasy sports companies operating in the state.
Oct. 1, 2024: The California Tribes can now sue commercial cardrooms for violating state laws and infringing on their exclusive gaming rights via the Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act.
Sept 26, 2024: FanDuel faces difficult sports betting push in the nation's most populated States, including California, Florida and Texas.
Sept. 3, 2024: The California Senate passes the Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act — also known as Senate Bill 549 — which would allow local tribes the chance to sue state cardrooms for allegedly violating state gambling laws.
Aug. 28, 2024: A California man pleads guilty to operating an illegal sportsbook and money laundering.
Aug. 12, 2024: California Governor Gavin Newsom signs a new tribal-state gaming compact with the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe and the Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of the Sulphur Bank Rancheria, California.
June 28, 2024: The Supreme Court's decision on legal Florida sports betting doesn't accelerate California's push, says James Siva, the chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association.
June 26, 2024: California to join the national voluntary self-exclusion program for players with problem gaming, becoming the fifth U.S. state to do so, alongside Michigan, Iowa, Tennessee, and Colorado.
June 4, 2024: San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcona receives a lifetime ban from the MLB for betting on baseball games he was involved in.
June 3, 2024: The Wall Street Journal reports that the MLB is eyeing a San Diego Padres infielder for sports betting violations, accusing Tucupita Marcano of wagering on Pittsburgh Pirates' games last season while he was on the team's injured list.
May 20, 2024: MLB opens an investigation into the gambling activity of former Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher. The current Atlanta Braves farmhand allegedly placed bets with the same illegal bookie used by Ippei Mizuhara.
May 9, 2024: Tribal leaders and sportsbook operator officials reiterate that legal California sports betting would require agreements from state gaming tribes.
March 25, 2024: Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani addresses the media after discovering his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stole and lost millions of dollars while gambling with an illegal California bookmaker.
Feb. 26, 2024: Legal California gaming 'begins and ends with tribes," says James Siva, the chair of the California Nations Gaming Association.
Jan. 13, 2024: Fliff lawsuit is sent to arbitration after a California court agreed with the sweepstake casino, which is being sued for allegedly operating an illegal sportsbook in the state.
Dec. 18, 2023: The California Nations Indian Gaming Association voices their displeasure for legal sports betting initiatives despite recent amendments being added to the ballots.
Nov. 30, 2023: Sportsbook operators could be looking past proposed California ballot measures, focusing on another attempt to bring legalized sports betting to the state in 2025.
Nov. 29, 2023: California lawmakers will examine the legality of Daily Fantasy Sports following a request by Republican Senator Scott Wilk.
Nov. 22, 2023: Two proposed California sports betting ballots were recently amended, giving state Native American tribes control of legal sports betting, but it still may not be enough to convince local tribes.
Nov. 17, 2023: Members of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association vote to formally oppose two ballot measures for legal sports betting.
Nov. 9, 2023: Two recent sports betting proposals fail to impress California's Native American tribes.
Oct. 31, 2023: Not viable best describes California’s proposed sports ballot measures filed with the state's attorney general.
Oct. 30, 2023: Two statewide sports betting ballot measures were officially proposed — the first allows the Governor to negotiate with local Native American tribes, and the second allows more than just federally recognized tribes to offer sports betting.
June 8, 2023: Fliff, a free-to-play sweepstakes website, is sued for operating an illegal sportsbook in California.
May 26, 2023: Caesars Racebook launches in California.
Jan. 31, 2023: The CGCC proposes regulations to ensure responsible gambling information is included in every industry ad. Multiple examples were found from cardrooms and third-party providers failing to provide the necessary disclaimers.
Nov. 9, 2022: Flutter CEO Peter Jackson remains hopeful about California sports betting, despite the defeat of Proposition 27.
Nov. 8, 2022: Voters rejected both California sports betting measures by a significant margin, translating to no legal sports betting in the short term or for years to come.
Oct. 31, 2022: According to Ballotpedia, $569 million was spent on California sports betting bills Propositions 26 and 27, in the run-up to the November 8 ballot.
Oct. 24, 2022: Prominent California newspapers headline endorsement opposement to California sports betting's Proposition 26.
Oct. 14, 2022: Marginal polling improvements in support for legal California sports betting can't mask the outlook for online sports betting via Prop 27.
Oct. 4, 2022: A Berkeley IGS Poll finds that just 27% of voters plan to vote 'Yes' for mobile California sports betting, while 31% are in favor of in-person wagering on tribal lands.
Sept. 22, 2022: FanDuel CEO Amy Howe and BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt note that voter feedback has told them that the messaging and counter-messaging around Prop 27 and Prop 26 has become overwhelming. Both mention pivoting to a more direct-to-consumer approach.
Sept. 15, 2022: Results from a new California sports betting poll indicate Prop 27 may have a difficult time passing the November vote. According to the poll, just 34% of voters support the sportsbook-backed initiative.
Sept. 12, 2022: Sensing a shift in momentum against their campaign to legalize online sports betting, major online sportsbooks strike back in a series of ads pushing Proposition 27.
Sept. 6, 2022: California's tribes may turn the tide against the prominent online sportsbooks and their operators, courtesy of an endorsement from the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), representing all 58 California counties.
Aug. 24, 2022: The latest rival sports betting bill battle will be televised. New California attack ads have released new statewide TV ads attacking each other's proposals.
Aug. 19, 2022: The California Republican party opposes Prop 26 and Prop 27, California's dueling sports betting bills.
Aug. 12, 2022: Major League Baseball supports the California online sports betting ballot measure sponsored by the likes of FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, among other operators.
July 26, 2022: California tribes launch a new attack ad against Prop. 27. The 30-second ad includes accusations of "hidden agendas," "fine print," and "loopholes" in Prop. 27.
July 10, 2022: California's Democratic Party opposes Prop. 27 and stays neutral on Prop. 26. Both initiatives will go before voters in November 2022.
July 6, 2022: California's sports betting battle continues. Prop. 26 and Prop. 27 backers are expected to partake in one of the most expensive legal battles in U.S. history.
July 5, 2022: A third California tribe throws support behind what's now known as Proposition 27. The Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe cites economic benefits as a major reason it's chosen to back the online sports betting measure.
June 30, 2022: Two Native American tribes side with major sportsbooks and the online sports wagering measure. The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians back the Solutions Act.
June 27, 2022: The "California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Solutions Act" is officially reclassified as an "eligible statewide ballot measure" by the California Secretary of State's Office, putting a second legal sports betting option on the ballot.
June 24, 2022: More than 80 groups back a tribal sports betting measure known as The Coalition for Safe, Responsible Gaming. The groups aim to keep online sports betting out of California.
June 16, 2022: Fresno City Councilman Mike Carbassi calls California's tribal sports betting measure an "absolute disaster," fearing the retail-only initiative could lead to tribes filing lawsuits against state tax revenue-generating cardrooms.
June 12, 2022: It's unclear whether the tribal and sportsbook-backed California sports betting measures could co-exist. If voters approve both bills in November, the court will have to determine how to proceed.
May 26, 2022: California sports betting measures continue to spark a war of words and shows of support. Through a press release, the California Teachers Association (CTA) reveals it opposes what state tribes call the "Corporate Online Gambling Proposition" due to concerns over exposing children to risks of addiction and problem gambling.
May 9, 2022: California tribes backing an online sports betting measure turn their focus to the 2024 ballot, deciding instead to use the remaining resources to "kill" the California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act. Now, just one tribal measure will be on the 2022 ballot — the California Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative.
May 3, 2022: The California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act receives 1.6 million signatures, qualifying for the November 2022 ballot.
May 2, 2022: Poll findings released Friday, April 29, 2022, revealed substantial backing for one of three California sports betting initiatives that could make the November ballot.
March 25, 2022: The measure to legalize sports betting at tribal casinos and licensed racetracks is meeting stiff opposition from a coalition of over 80 elected officials.
March 7, 2022: California card rooms — Hollywood Park Casino and Cal-Pac Rancho Cordova — file a lawsuit to keep the sports betting initiative sponsored by nine tribal casinos off the November ballot.
Feb. 23, 2022: A UC Berkeley poll reveals 45% of Californians are in favor of legalizing sports betting, while 33% are opposed to such legalization. The remaining 22% are on the fence.
Jan. 24, 2022: The California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act campaign reports reaching 25% (249,285 of 997,136) of the signatures required to make the November ballot. Signatures are due on May 3, 2022.
Nov. 5, 2021: A fourth sports betting initiative — and second tribal proposal — is filed by the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Federated Indians of the Wilton Rancheria, and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. "The Age-Verified Tribal Online and In-Person Sports Wagering & Homelessness Solutions Act" would legalize online and retail sports betting in California.
Aug. 31, 2021: The California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act is filed with the state attorney general’s office. The third sports betting initiative eligible for the November 2022 ballot is backed by DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and others.
Aug. 12, 2021: Four California cities — led by Gardena Mayor Tasha Cerda — introduce the California Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act, a proposal aiming to legalize online and retail sports betting.
May 27, 2021: The California Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative qualifies for the November 2022 ballot after receiving more than one million signatures.
June 22, 2020: Sen. Bill Dodd withdraws SCA 6 from consolidation, citing COVID-19 and legislative deadlines as hurdles preventing the bill from getting across the finish line.
Nov. 13, 2019: The California Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative, a measure supported by 18 Californian tribes, is first introduced.
June 27, 2019: Sen. Bill Dodd introduces SCA 6, a measure that would legalize and regulate sports betting in California.
May 14, 2018: The Supreme Court deems the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional. With the federal ban on sports betting lifted, each U.S. state is granted the autonomy to legalize and regulate sports wagering as it sees fit.
Is sports betting legal in California?
No, California sports betting is not legal. Two sports betting measures on the November 2022 ballot were rejected handily by voters. Here's a look at each proposal:
Proposition 26
California Proposition 26, Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative was a tribal-backed proposal aiming to legalize in-person wagering at more than 80 tribal casinos and horse racing tracks. The proposed sports betting legislation would have also permitted roulette and craps at tribal gaming facilities. Presently, California tribal casinos can only house slots, lottery games, and banked card games.
Proposition 27
The California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act, or Proposition 27, aimed to legalize statewide online wagering and was backed by seven of the largest national sports betting operators in the U.S — Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Penn National, WynnBET, and Fanatics (who are rumored to be closing in on an acquisition). The online sports betting initiative promised to allocate 85% of sports betting tax revenue to a new fund for homelessness and mental health. The Act aimed to complement the tribal proposal as any online sportsbook launching in California would be required to partner with a tribal casino.
Both the tribal (retail) and sportsbook (online) initiatives officially gained the required 997,139 signatures from registered California voters and appeared on the Nov. 8, 2022, ballot.
Neither California sports betting initiative received support from the Democrats — who hold majorities in the state legislature — following an announcement on July 10, 2022, that the party would oppose Proposition 27 and remain neutral on Proposition 26.
Latest California betting news
Who can bet on daily fantasy sports in California?
While sports betting is currently illegal in California, local bettors can still use the top DFS and social betting sites available in 2025.
Legal age
Despite recent proposals to legalize California sports wagering maintaining that bettors will have to be 21 years old to participate, you can access several of the best daily fantasy sports sites if you are just 18.
Mobile betting
While mobile sports betting went out the window after Prop. 27 failed via the November 2022 vote, you can use your iOS or Android device to play with most of the daily fantasy sports and social betting sites listed on this page.
Remote registration
You can register remotely with many of the DFS and social betting sites mentioned as long as you are physically within California state borders when doing so.
Within state borders
Federal laws require all in-state online wagering to be done within state borders.
Retail sportsbooks
There are no legal retail California sportsbooks. However, over 50 tribal casinos were clamoring to change this scenario. While Prop. 26 has failed to pass, CA remains a potential home to the largest collection of retail sportsbooks in the country.
Taxable winnings
In addition to the 24% federal tax on gambling winnings, California bettors will be saddled with CA state income tax on their sports betting profits. Although California has the unenviable claim to the highest tax rate in the United States (up to 13.3%), most residents fall in a much lower tax bracket.
Crossing state lines: Nearby betting sites in 2025
Luckily for Californians, legal sports betting resides on the other side of the state border. California’s three bordering states — Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon — have all legalized online sports betting.
Arizona stands as the top option with remote registration and an impressive and growing lineup of online sportsbooks. Meanwhile, Nevada boasts dozens of retail locations that are sure to satisfy the appetite of the in-person gambler. Oregon, while restricted to just one online option — the state-run Scoreboard sportsbook — offers more than Californians will find in their home state.
California: Sports betting vs. DFS betting
California does not have legal sports betting, but it does have hope. The Golden State has the potential to grow into a sports bettor’s paradise, even though two sports betting legislation proposals flamed out in 2022.
But amidst the hope is uncertainty. There's no telling when a California sports betting measure will turn to gold. For most residents, when it comes to legal sports betting, they’ll believe it when they see it.
No legal California sports betting in the near future.Mobile betting is not guaranteed.Exorbitant taxes on gambling winnings for high rollers.How to start DFS betting in California
The future outlook for legal California sports betting remains murky. Still, the hope is that California will soon grant sports betting licenses, and bettors will have several of the best sportsbooks to choose from when all is said and done. Until then, you can follow these instructions to start playing with the best DFS and social betting sites available in the Golden State in 2025.
Select a DFS site
Before choosing a California daily fantasy sports or social betting platform, it's important to explore your options by reading reviews, checking available bet and contest types, and ensuring the site meets your banking needs. Additionally, make sure to review the terms and conditions of welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions offered by California DFS sites.
Register online
California residents can sign up for DFS and social betting platforms via the website or their dedicated mobile app easily. Simply provide personal details — your date of birth, address, email, etc. — to create an account and claim any available bonuses. Some operators may require your Social Security Number for identity verification.
Claim a bonus
Be sure to claim the welcome bonus on each California betting site you join, which can vary from may deposit matches, bonus bets, or no-deposit promos for extra virtual currency. It's important to thoroughly read each offer's terms and conditions before claiming.
Deposit funds
Depositing funds into your account is easy, as most California betting sites accept bank transfers, PayPal, PayNearMe, eChecks, and debit/credit cards — like Visa and Mastercard. Be sure to meet the minimum deposit requirement to qualify for an operator's welcome bonuses, or you may lose the promotion.
Choose your bet types and contests
You can participate in various DFS and social betting contests. Pick'em games are the most popular, allowing you to select the team likely to score the most points during a given day. You can enter using real money or virtual currency, often called "sweep coins." In addition to these contests, you can access common betting markets, including point spreads, Over/Unders, moneyline bets, futures, props, parlays, live betting, and more.
Start betting
After shopping around, claiming a bonus, and funding your account, there will only be one thing left to do — start betting. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the conditions before confirming your picks or entering a DFS contest.
Withdraw funds
Fund withdrawals can generally be completed via the same method used for deposits. Wait times, however, can vary. Transactions typically take a few days to process but can take longer with some California betting sites.
Reading the odds
U.S. sportsbooks use American odds to display betting odds, and California sports betting sites will do the same. Favorites are assigned a minus (-) sign, and the accompanying number tells bettors how much money they’ll need to put on the line to win $100 in profit. For example, -350 odds indicate a bettor must wager $350 to win $100.
You can spot underdogs by looking for a plus (+) sign. The number here represents the amount you could profit when placing a $100 bet. For example, +250 odds mean a $100 wager could net you $250.
Although American odds are the go-to option in the U.S., you may prefer to view odds as decimals or fractions. Our odds calculator allows you to switch between the three main types of odds quickly.
What you can't bet on in California
Nothing is in play for Californian bettors at the moment. As the state's future sports betting industry begins to take shape, we'll learn more about what will be on and off the table when sportsbook operators arrive in the Golden State in the future.
Politics
Barring a drastic change, California sportsbooks will not be permitted to offer wagers on politics. This type of bet is not available anywhere in the U.S.
Entertainment award ceremonies
California sportsbooks could offer betting lines on popular awards shows like the Acadamy Awards and Emmy Awards, but this remains to be seen.
esports
Esports betting has become increasingly popular and could be a welcome addition to the California sports betting scene.
What about California college sports?
Many states do not allow sports bettors to place wagers on in-state college sports teams. Could California follow suit? We'll be keeping an eye on this one, as college betting would be a boon for Golden State sports fans and gamblers.
Home team advantage: California sports
California is home to more professional sports teams — and most likely sports fans — than any other state. When wagering on your hometown teams using the best California daily fantasy sports and social betting sites, be careful not to let your fandom cloud your judgment. Always do your due diligence before betting on your hometown squad. Check out our how to bet guides to get started at legal California DFS sites.
Although no scheduled Formula One races are coming to the Golden State anytime soon, the best F1 betting sites easily allow you to back drivers you can cheer on as passionately as your hometown teams.
Other types of gambling
With over 60 tribal casinos, 74 cardrooms, and some of the most well-renowned horse racetracks in the country, the California gambling scene is alive and well.
Online gambling, however, is illegal. Pari-mutuel horse race betting is the only form of legal online betting in the state.
Casino
For a state that has deemed online gambling taboo, California has a thriving casino gambling industry. With more brick-and-mortar casinos than any other U.S. state not named Nevada or Oklahoma, the Golden State generates nearly $8 billion in revenue, after winnings, annually.
Each tribal casino offers a complete lineup of games, including slots, blackjack, and baccarat. If California Proposition 26, Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative passes the November 2022 vote, roulette and dice games, such as craps, would also be legalized in CA.
In California, traditional real money online casinos are still awaiting legalization. Sweepstakes casinos are the sole online game available in the state, and they are thriving. The sweepstakes model abides by the CA criminal code, allowing players to earn real money using virtual currency. Our California online casinos page will direct you to the best online operators in 2025.
Poker
There are dozens of poker rooms for card sharks to enjoy in CA.
When it comes to online poker, California’s tribal casinos, cardrooms, and racetrack operators have been in a stalemate, as all efforts to legalize online poker have fallen short. With interested parties failing to come to terms on how this gaming expansion would benefit each stakeholder, they’ve kicked the can down the road on multiple occasions.
Horse racing
Pari-mutuel horse racing has been legal in California since 1933. The California Horse Racing Board oversees one of the largest markets in the U.S., including some of the most beautiful racetracks in the nation.
Santa Anita Park, Del Mar Racetrack, Golden Gate Fields, and Los Alamitos Race Course stand as CA’s top destinations for live horse racing. Many affiliate off-track betting (OTB) sites allow gamblers to get in on the action away from the racetrack, while legal bets can also be placed online at the best horse racing betting sites. FanDuel Racing is a top option in 2025.
Daily fantasy sports
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests operate in an unregulated grey area in California. Operators like DraftKings and FanDuel serve the nation’s largest DFS market without opposition, so it’s unlikely lawmakers will take further action any time soon. You can also sign-up and claim the ProphetX promo code and Betr Picks promo code today.
California daily fantasy sports
While legal sports betting has eluded the Golden State, daily fantasy sports contests are permitted in California. No laws explicitly legalize or outlaw DFS in California, so popular websites like Thrillzz Sportsbook, ParlayPlay, and Betr Picks operate in a grey, unregulated market.
Here’s everything you need to know before getting started with California daily fantasy sports:
- Daily fantasy websites operate in a grey market in CA.
- You must be at least 18 years old to participate in DFS contests in California.
- DFS winnings of $600 or more are treated as taxable income.
Daily fantasy sports vs sports betting
Sports betting and daily fantasy sports share the common goal of predicting outcomes for a potential payday. When betting on sports, you can place bets on outright winners, point spreads, player performances, and more, with the risk and reward determined by a sportsbook’s odds.
Daily fantasy sports involve assembling virtual teams of real players for short-term competitions and earning points based on the real-life performance of your team. Unlike sports betting, you are not up against the house when playing DFS contests. Instead, you compete with other DFS players in contests involving stars from the NFL, NBA, NHL, and more.
For example, if you believe the San Francisco 49ers are primed for a decisive home win, you may want a game stack of Brock Purdy and Deebo Samuel. Spot a favorable matchup for Chargers’ running back J.K. Dobbins? After learning your DFS site’s scoring system, you’ll be ready to build your game narratives and optimize your lineups.
Quick facts: California sports betting
While California's current betting landscape revolves around tribal casinos and DFS operators, bookmark this section to stay up to date on the CA sports betting industry in 2025:
| Launch date | TBD |
| Legal age for betting | 21 (est.) |
| Online sports betting | No ❌ |
| Retail sportsbooks | No ❌ |
| Online casino sites | No ❌ |
| Online poker | No ❌ |
| Daily fantasy sports | Yes ✅ |
| Retail casinos | Yes ✅ |
| College sports betting | TBD |
| esports betting | TBD |
| State population | 39.6 million |
| Tax rate | TBD |
| Regulator | California Gambling Control Commission |
| Last Verified | Jan. 26, 2025 ✅ |
Responsible gaming in California
With such a robust gambling industry, the unfortunate reality is that many Californians fall victim to gambling addiction. The California Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) provides education, prevention, and treatment for those in need.
Californians who recognize they may have a gambling problem are also encouraged to consider the state’s self-exclusion program. Here, individuals can voluntarily ban themselves from all gambling establishments and California betting sites for a specified period of time.
Legal U.S. sports betting markets
When California ultimately legalizes sports betting, it will join the following U.S. jurisdictions:
Recent legal U.S. sports betting launches
Missouri sports betting is in the spotlight in 2025 after local voters approved Amendment 2 during the 2024 U.S. Election, clearing the path for a legalized betting market to launch later this year. The market is expected to include up to 14 top online sportsbooks, with a launch anticipated for June 2025.
Sports bettors in the Tar Heel State can now actively participate in North Carolina sports betting as the state officially launched on March 11, 2024. Top operators — such as FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings — are currently available for registration.
On Jan. 11, 2024, legal Vermont sports betting launched, with DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook ready to accept wagers.
Online and retail Maine sports betting became a reality in November 2023, marking the fourth state to go live in 2023.
Legal Kentucky sports betting is here. Retail operations launched on Sept. 7, 2023, with online sports betting going live on Sept. 28, 2023.
Sportsbooks to avoid in California
See all blacklisted sportsbooks 
It's been a long wait in California, but frustrated gamblers should refrain from placing sports bets with unregulated offshore sportsbooks. Any operator claiming to be a legal California sports betting site is not to be trusted. Avoid these offshore sportsbooks at all costs.
- Allegations of withdrawal issues
- No license information available on site
- Poor customer service
- Multiple reports of slow payments
- Allegations of non-payments
- Risk of account closure simply for winning bets
- Reports of confiscated winnings
- Slow customer support response times
DFS sites to avoid in California
While many top California DFS and social betting sites are available in 2025, there are some operators we strongly suggest staying clear of. Like blacklisted California sportsbooks, we recommend avoiding daily fantasy and social betting sites with limited payment options, poor customer service, or lack of industry credibility. Since you're risking your own money, it's crucial to play responsibly on trusted platforms, which is why we always encourage you to read existing user reviews before signing up with any platform.
California sports betting FAQs
No, sports betting is not legal in California. Momentum has stalled, and we don’t expect to see legal California sportsbooks anytime soon. In the meantime, you can still get in on the fun by using the best California daily fantasy sports (DFS) and social betting sites, which are legal in 2025.
You can win real money by playing select contests and games with certain California DFS and social betting operators.
While the list of available operators is seamingly growing by the day, as of right now, our favorite California daily fantasy sports platforms are ProhetX, Underdog Fantasy, and Betr Picks.
You must be at least 18 years old, depending on the operator, to use California daily fantasy sports and social betting sites.
You certainly can play daily fantasy sports for free in California in 2025, as many operators allow you to use on-site virtual currency to enter contests and place wagers.
You can wager on your hometown California sports teams using the DFS and social betting sites mentioned on this page. We will not know if sportsbooks will offer these betting markets until California inches closer to legalized sports betting. Currently, wagers cannot be placed on in or out-of-state teams.
You can wager and enter DFS contests for many of the top North American sports leagues, including NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.
Daily fantasy sports and social betting sites are still forms of gambling, meaning they carry inherent risks. To participate in many contests or top up your virtual currency, you'll need to make real money deposits. With real money comes real risks, which further highlights the point that you must still play responsibly and within your limits while using these sites.
Yes, many top daily fantasy sports and social betting sites in California provide access to responsible gambling resources, including spending limits, self-exclusion options, and external helplines.
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