- Best Online Sportsbook California
- Draftkings Sportsbook California
- Sportsbook California Reddit
- Draftkings Sportsbook California
Best California Sports Betting Sites. Bovada – #1 California sports betting site with a very strong reputation. MyBookie – Known for it’s great odds and payout speed. BetOnline – Very reputable sportsbook with high customer satisfaction. BetNow – Newer brand with excellent feedback. XBet – A site with a wide variety of bet options. California is an exercise in frustration. Legal sports betting simply cannot get going in the Golden State. Most recently, a proposed ballot initiative failed to gain enough signatures to make it onto the ballot. The legal gambling age In California is typically 18, although most casinos do require bettors to be 21 in order to gamble in person at a bricks-and-mortar casino or use a sports betting site. The state of California is home to 69 total Native American casinos including 50 Indian casinos, 16 Indian casino resorts and 3 mini-casinos that are. See full terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER, in WV visit www.1800gambler.net, in Indiana call 1-800-9-WITH-IT, in CO call 1-800-522-4700, or if in TN call. Sports betting on the Internet can be a thrilling experience for anyone. If you want your sports betting experience to go off without a hitch, however, you need to find the right website. Thankfully, the Internet is home to quite a few appropriate sites that can provide users with top-notch experiences.
Sports betting in California is finally on the cards and is expected to be FULLY legal by the end of 2020. That’s amazing news, huh?!
Like you, I’m pretty damn excited. I’m a frequent sports bettor in the U.S. who’s been championing the legalization of sports betting in our great country for years. With sports betting expected to be legalized in California by November 2020 at the latest, I’ve been busy road-testing the best sportsbooks in preparation for what’s to come.
In this article, I’m going to look at the 5 top sportsbooks that are expected to hit California this year. I’ll also be discussing what California sports betting’s future looks like, what casinos you can currently bet at, and I’ll answer your most popular questions about California sports betting.
Top 5 California Sportsbooks
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How Online Sports Betting Works In California
Sports Betting Launch In California
Betting in California isn’t legal just yet – but it’s coming.
Almost half of America has legalized sports betting, which paves the way for California – arguably one of the country’s biggest sports markets – to do the same.
As of the time of writing, sports betting is well and truly on the November 2020 ballot, after the California tribes managed to get enough signatures to validate their petition. As such, I fully expect sports betting in California to launch by the end of 2020.
How To Bet On Sports: A Step-by-Step Guide
Betting on sports is super simple.
The first thing you need to do is pick a sportsbook that meets your needs. I’ve listed the top 5 California sportsbooks in the above section, with Bovada being my top pick.
Then, just create an account and make your first deposit.
The next step is to take a look at the sporting events that are currently offered by the sportsbook. If something catches your eye, take a closer look at the bets that are offered. Then, take a closer look at these bets – who do you think will win? What are the odds like? Is there value to be had?
Then, decide what type of bet you want to have. I’ll be covering the types of bets a little later in this article.
Once you’re satisfied with your bet and the odds, you just need to decide your stake – and place the bet. If your bet is a winner, your winnings will be automatically credited to your account. You don’t need to do anything else!
Which California Casinos Have Sportsbooks?
Once legalized sports betting is up and running in California, I fully expect the following casinos to open up their sportsbooks in the Golden State:
DraftKings
DraftKings is currently available as a casino and sportsbook in New Jersey and other legalized sports betting states. It also provides daily fantasy action and is a clear contender to open a sportsbook branch in California soon.
If you love variety when it comes to sporting activities and table games, DraftKings is a solid option.
FanDuel
Another online casino and daily fantasy site, FanDuel will be chomping at the bit to open up its sportsbook in California once it is green. If you love huge bonuses and daily fantasy sports, FanDuel is a good alternative to DraftKings.
William Hill
William Hill is a UK-based casino and sportsbook that will be very interested in the California sports gambling market. With years of experience and a huge amount of sports coverage and betting options, William Hill is ideal if you’re into European sports.
California Sports Betting Partnerships
As soon as sports betting is legalized in California, a sportsbook will need to partner up with a licensed operator in the state to take your bets.
As soon as sports betting in California is legal, and the partnerships are announced, I will update this section.
What Can You Bet On Right Now In California?
Because online betting for sports isn’t yet legal in California, you can’t bet on any sports at the moment. However, Las Vegas is just a short drive away, and you can bet on legal sports.
Once sports wagering is underway in California, here are the legal sports you’ll be able to bet on:
- NFL
- NBA
- NHL
- MLB
- Soccer
- Motorsports
- Boxing
- College football
- Cycling
- Darts
- Cricket
- Golf
- Hockey
- MMA
- Rugby
- Tennis
- Table tennis
- Volleyball
What Bets Are Available At California Sportsbooks?
Once sports betting is finally legal in California, there are a number of different bets you’ll be able to place.
Here are the most popular types of bets:
- Straight bet – This is when you bet on either the favorite or the underdog to win a sporting event. It’s a very common bet, but it involves a point spread. The favorite is always listed with a minus symbol (-), and the underdog has a plus symbol (+). If you back the favorite, they need to win by the point spread as offered by the sports betting site.
- Money line bet – This is the same as the straight bet, except there’s no point spread. Instead, whoever you bet on – the favorite or the underdog – just has to win the sporting event outright.
- Parlay bet – For this one, you can group together 2 or more picks into the same bet. For example, you might pick the Chiefs, the Packers, and the Bills all to win their games tonight. If one of them loses, you lose the whole bet. Each time you add another pick to the bet, the odds are adjusted. The beauty of this type of bet is that you’ll stand to win a lot of cash if all your picks win.
- Total line bet – With the total line bet, the sportsbook will set a number for the combined final score of a particular match. For example, let’s say the Lakers are playing the Raptors. The sportsbook decides the two teams will have a combined score of 205. It’s up to you to decide whether the true outcome will be higher or lower than that number
Taking Advantages of Bonuses and Rewards
One of the best things about sports betting is the bonuses and rewards that come your way. Bovada is currently running some excellent promos, but all the best sites offer some types of bonuses.
Here are the bonuses you need to look out for:
- Welcome bonus – Whenever you sign up to a new sports betting site, you’ll be offered a welcome bonus. This varies in size from site to site. For example, BetOnline is currently offering a 50% match deposit welcome bonus when you make your first deposit. If you deposit $200, you will get an extra $100 to play around with.
- Usually, you need to make a first deposit in order to trigger the bonus, but some sites treat you to a no welcome deposit bonus. This means all you need to do is create an account and the bonus is yours
- Reload bonus – This bonus rewards you each time you make a subsequent deposit.
- Bonus on losses – Sometimes, a sportsbook will refund part of your losses on specific sporting events.
- Loyalty bonuses – The best sports betting sites, such as Bovada, run VIP programs that reward you with perks such as free bets. The more you play, the more you’ll be rewarded.
California Sports Betting Laws
California is a pretty complex state that’s currently protesting the interests of its Tribal Casinos, which means that online sports betting is illegal as of the time of writing.
However, it isn’t hard to find something to gamble on in California as the Golden State is home to 50 of those aforementioned Tribal Casinos, as well as a hundred card rooms.
California Sports Betting FAQ
Is Sports Betting Legal In California?
Not just yet, but it’s expected to be legal by November 2020.
When Can Californian Residents Start Placing Bets?
You won’t be able to place a bet in California until sports betting is fully legalized. However, you can take a trip to a state where sports betting is legal, and bet there.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Legally Bet In California?
In keeping with sports betting laws all across America, I expect that you will have to be 21 or over to be able to place a bet in California.
Do I Have To Live In California To Bet Online?
If you’re a California resident, you can go to a state where it’s legal to bet on sports – such as Las Vegas – and place a bet there.
Is Mobile Sports Betting Available In California?
Mobile sports betting will be available in California as soon as sports betting is given the green light.
Conclusion
Sports betting California is going to be a lot of fun. The next step is to see what happens in November at the ballot. If it’s legalized, you’ll just need to pick a sportsbook, such as Bovada, and get betting!
In the meantime, there’s nothing stopping you visiting a nearby state where sports gambling is legal, and placing a bet there.
After New Jersey's Supreme Court victory in May 2018, any state that wishes can legalize sports betting.
At the same time various state lawmakers are considering sports betting legislation, Congress is too. Senators Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and now-retired Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, co-introduced comprehensive sports betting legislation at the end of 2018. On Sept. 27, 2018 the House Judiciary Committee held a formal hearing on the topic.
The dual track of proposals -- state and federal -- have increased in frequency since the start of 2017.
To measure the change in the landscape, we ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of how likely it is for each jurisdiction to offer full-scale legal sports betting. A brief synopsis for the active states is included, with updates to follow.
Last updated on November 3, 2020.
Already there
1. Nevada
No longer the only state to permit a wide variety of legal sports betting, Nevada is a mature market that has existed for decades. Given its long history in successfully offering regulated sports wagering, many states might look to Nevada for best practices.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 223
Population: 3,034,392 (2,246,259 21+)
2. Delaware
On June 5, 2018, Delaware moved to offer single-game betting on a number of different sports at three casinos in the state. Expanded sports wagering options could take place at additional locations or online. Delaware's authorization of what Gov. John Carney described as 'a full-scale sports gaming operation' happened less than a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the federal law restricting single-game betting to Nevada was unconstitutional.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 967,171 (726,161 21+)
3. New Jersey
On June 11, 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the sports betting bill that had passed the previous week. A William Hill sportsbook at Monmouth Park took the first bets on Thursday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Gov. Murphy was the first customer in line. The Borgata in Atlantic City booked sports bets 30 minutes later. Other sportsbooks in New Jersey opened soon thereafter. For example, FanDuel's first sportsbook at the Meadowlands opened its doors on July 14.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams and collegiate events held within the state
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 9
Population: 8,908,520 (6,634,683 21+)
4. Mississippi
Two casinos owned by MGM Resorts booked their first sports bets in Mississippi on Aug. 1, 2018. Mississippi enacted a new law in 2017 that allowed for sports betting pending a favorable decision by the Supreme Court. In June 2018, the Mississippi Gaming Commission adopted implementing regulations that require all betting to take place in person, with mobile wagering to be considered later.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 29
Population: 2,986,530 (2,153,795 21+)
5. West Virginia
On Aug. 30, 2018, West Virginia became the fifth state to offer legal and regulated sports betting when the Hollywood Casino -- a sportsbook owned by Penn National -- opened its doors. The move came six months after the West Virginia legislature passed a new bill with the West Virginia Lottery Commission serving as the chief regulator.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 5
Population: 1,805,832 (1,375,788 21+)
6. New Mexico
On Oct. 16, 2018, the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel booked its first sports bet in partnership with Nevada-based USBookmaking. Although New Mexico has not passed any new sports betting legislation since the Supreme Court's decision, the move by the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel was made via a gaming compact with the state. According to Nedra Darling, spokeswoman at the Department of the Interior's Office of Indian Affairs -- the federal agency in Washington, DC that oversees tribal gaming compacts -- the New Mexico compacts permit 'any or all forms of Class III Gaming,' a category in the federal regulations that specifically includes '[a]ny sports betting and pari-mutuel wagering.'
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 32
Population: 2,095,428 (1,529,540 21+)
7. Pennsylvania
The Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course booked the first legal sports bets in Pennsylvania in mid-November 2018. The move came just over a year after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a new sports betting bill as part of a broad legislation push that included online poker and DFS. The October 2017 bill became effective after the Supreme Court's May 2018 ruling upending the federal ban on single-game betting outside of Nevada.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 12
Population: 12,807,060 (9,645,705 21+)
8. Rhode Island
The Twin River Casino in Lincoln opened its doors for legal sports betting on Nov. 26, 2018. The move came five months after Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the state budget, which included language allowing sports betting. Only two locations would be allowed to offer sports betting under the law, with the state's lottery providing regulatory oversight. In early 2019, the law was tweaked to provide for mobile betting.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 2
Population: 1,057,315 (800,838 21+)
9. Arkansas
On July 1, 2019, the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort booked the first legal sports bets in Arkansas. Two other retail locations opened sportsbooks in the subsequent months. Sports betting is regulated by the Arkansas Racing Commission.
Best Online Sportsbook California
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 3
Population: 3,013,825 (2,191,256 21+)
10. New York
On July 16, 2019, the first legal sports bets were placed in New York. J. Gary Pretlow -- a New York lawmaker and chair of the state's racing and wagering committee -- was among the first to place a wager at the Rivers Casino in Schenectady. The opening of a legal sportsbook came six years after New York passed a law to allow sports betting at four on-site locations, all in upstate New York. After lying dormant for years, the law was revived after the Supreme Court ruling in 2018 and the issuance of regulations earlier this year. The current law does not allow for mobile wagering.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: No betting on games involving in-state college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 28
Population: 19,542,209 (14,724,807 21+)
11. Iowa
Legal sports betting arrived in Iowa on Aug. 15, with multiple operators all opening their doors to customers on the first day. The move came three months after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into a law a comprehensive bill to legalize sports betting in the Hawkeye State. Operators must pay a $45,000 licensing fee and there is a 6.75 percent tax on revenue. The new law permits mobile wagering. Betting on college sports is permitted, but certain kinds of in-game prop bets involving college games are banned. The new law bestows the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission with authority to regulate sports betting.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 23
Population: 3,156,145 (2,286,374 21+)
12. Oregon
Legal sports betting returned to Oregon on Aug. 27 after a long hiatus, with the first bets booked on-site at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. Oregon is one of a small number of states that already had a law on the books permitting some forms of sports betting, so the resumption of wagering did not require the legislature to pass any new law or have the governor amend an existing tribal-state compact. In mid-October, mobile sports betting arrived in Oregon too, with the state-run lottery overseeing the launch of a new website and app.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None at the Chinook Winds Casino Resort, but sportsbook operated by the Oregon Lottery does not permit betting on games involving in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 4,190,713 (3,167,912 21+)
13. Indiana
Legal sports betting opened up at a number of locations in Indiana on Sept. 1. The Indiana Gaming Commission oversees all sports betting regulations and has issued licenses to operators across the state. Wagering on both college and pro sports is permitted, but betting on esports and high school sports is banned. Indiana's new law allows for both mobile and in-person wagering. Regulations permit sports leagues or colleges to request 'to utilize a geofence to prohibit wagers at the location of a particular sporting event.'
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No prop betting on in-state college athletics
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 14
Population: 6,691,878 (4,842,337 21+)
14. New Hampshire
Governor Chris Sununo placed the ceremonial first legal sports wager -- on the New England Patriots -- in New Hampshire on Dec. 30, 2019. The state's lottery is in charge of regulatory of regulatory oversight. Both retail and mobile sports betting will be permitted on a wide variety of sports, although no betting on New Hampshire's in-state colleges is allowed.
Type of wagering permitted: Mobile
Notable prohibitions: No betting on in-state colleges
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 0
Population: 1,356,458 (1,042,882 21+)
15. Illinois
Legal sports betting arrived in Illinois on March 9, 2020. The move came less than a year after the Illinois legislature passed a broad gaming bill that allowed for both online and in-person sports betting. With Governor J.B. Pritzker's signature, the new law also provided for betting on-location at venues such as Wrigley Field. Operators and certain data providers are required to obtain a license under the new law.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: No wagering on minor leagues or Illinois college teams
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 10
Population: 12,741,080 (9,391,158 21+)
16. Michigan
Legal sports betting in Michigan commenced on March 11, 2020, with two Detroit-area casinos launching on the same day. The move came less than three months after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the 'Lawful Sports Betting Act' into law. The new law provides for wagering on a wide variety of sports, including college contests.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 27
Population: 9.995,915 (7,428,72721+)
17. Montana
Legal sports betting arrived in Montana in March 2020. The move came after Governor Steve Bullock formally signed into law a 28-page bill that brought sports wagering to Big Sky country via the state's lottery. Governor Bullock cited the Montana Lottery's 'proven track record of responsibility and integrity' when signing the bill.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 13
Population: 1,062,305 (793,151 21+)
18. Colorado
May 1, 2020 marked the launch of legal sports betting in Colorado, with multiple operators allowing residents to open accounts online and place wagers. The move came less than six months after Colorado voters -- by a narrow margin -- approved a ballot measure that would provide 'for the regulation of sports betting through licensed casinos.' Both mobile and retail sports betting are permitted. Tax revenue from sports betting will help fund various state water projects.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions: None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019): 35
Population: 5,695,564 (4,210,663.00 21+)
19. Washington, D.C.
In June 2020, the D.C. Lottery launched its 'GameBetDC' platform allowing consumers 'to wager while in the District on major sports worldwide' via computer or mobile device. Sports betting in nation's capital followed the passage of the Sports Wagering Lottery Amendment Act of 2018 and a Congressional review period during which time Congress did not formally object. The Office of Lottery and Gaming provides regulatory oversight of all sports wagering in D.C.
Type of wagering permitted: In-person and mobile
Notable prohibitions:No betting on games involving colleges located in D.C.
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 705,749
20. Tennessee
Regulated sports wagering -- all online -- launched on November 1, 2020 in Tennessee with four licensed operators offering a wide variety of options. The 'Tennessee Sports Gaming Act' permits statewide mobile sports betting without any brick-and-mortar anchor. As such, there are no in-person retail sports betting locations in the state. Subject to an exception, Tennessee's new law requires all licensed operators to 'exclusively use official league data for purposes of live betting.'
Type of wagering permitted: Mobile only
Notable prohibitions:None
Number of casinos (as of Dec. 31, 2019):None
Population: 6,829,174
On-deck circle
21. North Carolina
On July 26, 2019, Governor Roy Cooper signed into a law a bill to 'allow sports and horse race wagering on tribal lands,' with such betting designated as a 'Class III' gaming activity under the state compact. The new law permits betting on both college and professional sports, but all bettors must place their wagers in-person at one of two retail locations.
22. Washington
Governor Jay Inslee signed Washington's sports betting bill into law on March 25, 2020. The new law permits sports wagering at Class III tribal casinos in the state. Mobile sports wagering is not allowed statewide, but is permitted when on-site at a licensed tribal casino. Betting on an 'esports competition or event' is allowed, but the new law bans wagering on games involving in-state colleges or minor league professional events. The new bill delegates regulatory oversight to the Washington State Gambling Commission.
23. Virginia
After some back-and-forth between Governor Ralph Northam and the legislature, legalized sports wagering was approved in the Commonwealth of Virginia in April 2020. Online betting is allowed, but wagering is not permitted on Virginia-based college sports or certain youth sports.
24. Maryland
In November 2020, Maryland voters approved 'sports and events betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education' by about a 2-1 margin. A regulatory framework must be created by Maryland lawmakers before any sports wagering takes place. The Maryland referendum would potentially allow for both in-person and mobile sports betting throughout the state.
25. South Dakota
On November 3, 2020, voters in South Dakota approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering in Deadwood.' Other tribal locations in South Dakota could see the arrival of regulated sports betting too. State lawmakers must now establish a regulatory apparatus and tax rate for legalized sports wagering.
26. Louisiana
Draftkings Sportsbook California
In November 2020, voters in the vast majority of Louisiana's 64 parishes approved a ballot measure permitting 'sports wagering activities and operations.' As a result, regulated sports wagering could come to New Orleans and certain other cities as early as 2021. Lawmakers will be tasked with setting up a regulatory scheme during an upcoming state legislative session.
Moving toward legalization
All of these states have seen some degree of legislative activity towards the legalization of sports betting the past few years.
27. Oklahoma
In April 2020, two federally-recognized tribes reached agreement with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on new gaming compacts that include sports betting. On June 8, 2020, Governor Stitt announced that the Department of the Interior had approved the compacts, paving the way for sports betting to start in Oklahoma as soon as the 'compacts are published in the Federal Register.' A bipartisan group of state lawmakers, along with Oklahoma's attorney general, have expressed opposition to the expansion of sports betting in Oklahoma and the prospect of legalized sports wagering remains uncertain.
28. Maine
On the last day of the state's 2019 legislative session -- June 19 -- Maine lawmakers passed 'An Act to Ensure Proper Oversight of Sports Betting in the State.' Shortly thereafter, the governor vetoed the bill. The legislature could re-introduce the bill later.
29. Nebraska
On November 3, 2020, Nebraska voters approved certain amendments to its state constitution legalizing 'all games of chance.' If the new constitutional amendments are construed to include wagering on sporting events, legalized sports betting could arrive in Nebraska upon the establishment of certain regulations.
30. Connecticut
31. Kentucky
32. Massachusetts
33. Minnesota
34. Missouri
35. Kansas
36. South Carolina
37. California
Sportsbook California Reddit
39. Ohio
40. Arizona
41. Hawaii
42. Texas
43. Georgia
44. Vermont
45. Alabama
46. Florida
47. Alaska
48. Wyoming
Draftkings Sportsbook California
No legalization activity ... yet
49-50. Idaho and Wisconsin
These states have not had any publicly-announced bills devoted to sports betting legalization.
Unlikely
51. Utah
Utah's anti-gambling stance is written into the state's constitution. Any change to existing state policy toward gambling would be a massive departure from decades of opposition to any form of gambling, including lottery tickets, table games and sports betting.