Online Gambling in California for 2024

Our team of experts goes through a rigorous process to find the best online casinos for Californian players. You can be sure that all the gambling sites on our list are secure and offer nothing but quality slot machines and online casino games for your pleasure.

Californians can enjoy the benefits of these great casinos while being in the chance to earn some money. Our team left no stone unturned when looking through the various outlets that offer legal gambling in California. Below you can see which factors we check when vetting the top online casinos.

Choose any of our top online casinos legal in California for secure deposit methods and quick cashouts. While credit and debit cards are standard options, our California online casinos also feature e-wallets and cryptocurrencies.

When you deposit you’ll want the added aspect of security. Tried and trusted payment methods give peace of mind and will allow you to focus more on enjoying the game. 

Here’s an overview of the most popular methods to use for legal gambling in California: 

Credit and Debit Cards

Most top real money online casinos in California will accept VISA and MasterCard, among others. Credit cards are ideal for deposits, while debit cards work well for both deposits and withdrawals. One perk of gambling with credit and debit cards is that transactions are quick and secure.

Prepaid Cards

If you’re not a fan of using your bank cards, then you can still make use of prepaid cards at California casinos online. The way it works is that you add as much money as you need to your prepaid card, and there’s no risk of overspending or getting into debt.

E-wallets

E-wallet options include Skrill or Paysafecard. These form part of digital payment systems that can make deposits and withdrawals. Gamblers like e-wallets because they keep your banking information private. Your details aren’t shared with the online casino, but they only see the email linked to your e-wallet account. 

Cryptocurrency

While not all online casinos in California take cryptocurrency, this method is becoming more common. Bitcoin and Ethereum are two of the most accepted digital currencies in online casino gambling. Benefits include anonymity and some of the fastest withdrawal speeds. 

Bank Transfer

If you want to avoid applying for a credit or debit card but would still like to make use of your bank account, you can opt for a bank transfer. All you need to do is choose the amount you’d like to send to your gambling account, and the money will be transferred directly to the casino.

Playing casino games in California for real money is very popular. For example, Californians love playing poker. You can do so in many licensed card rooms. Still, further laws on card rooms are needed. 

As the most popular game in the state, there have been many efforts to regulate online poker in California (since 2008). Lawmakers have failed to do so on many occasions. This is because gambling stakeholders have yet to reach an agreement on a framework for online poker. 

Californians enjoy playing casino games online too. Currently, there is ongoing debate around making commercial online gambling in California legal. If you want to play real money slots or table games, your best bet is to play at reputable foreign sites.

Online gambling sites are your best bet if you want a ton of game variety. You will find casino staples such as video slot machines and numerous table and card games on our list of the best California online casinos.

Our casinos also have exciting live casino games that allow you to play against a real dealer. Some even feature online sportsbooks, delivering an all-in-one solution for your betting and gambling needs. 

You’ll never run out of game options when online gambling in California. Have a look at our list of the most popular games below:

Slots

You’ll find thousands of slots, some of them with different paylines, others with multiple wilds and mini-games. From cherry slots to progressive jackpots, there’s something for everyone when it comes to slot machines. Slots offer many bonuses such as free spins. Check out more on how casino free spins work and how to claim them.

Table Games

From roulette and blackjack to craps and baccarat, table games are both classy and intense. Give them a go and you’ll see what we’re talking about – it’s classic casino action. 

Poker

Whether you’re playing three card poker against the dealer, or Texas Hold’em against other people, you’re bound to find all these exciting variants at our top-rated California online casinos.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games are the perfect mix between online and land-based gaming. Our California online casinos deliver a deluxe Vegas experience straight to your device.

Real money online gambling in California is a legal gray area. This is why we help gamblers find safe online casinos licensed in other countries. We would never approve a foreign casino without a license. You should always check for trusted operating licenses from authorities such as Curaçao eGaming (CEG).

Our suggested online casinos in California also protect your personal data and transactions. We check for fair games too. These are tested by independent organizations to ensure results are entirely random.

Join any top online casino in California and you’ll get a slew of great casino bonuses and promotions that will get you started on your gambling journey.

After signing up, you can get extra cash from deposit or no deposit bonuses to use on your favorite online casino games. You can also earn match bonuses, free spins, and even loyalty rewards if you become a regular player.

Take a look of our list on the various types of best bonuses on offer in the top California online casinos. 

Deposit Bonuses

A deposit bonus can also be known as a match bonus. Basically, it’s extra money a casino will give you back to play with when you deposit your own cash. How much you’ll get depends on who you pay with (and their generosity) and how much you deposit in the first place. Casinos (and many online gambling sites) can change depending on time of year, and their current promotions. 

No Deposit Bonuses

Self-explanatory, right? This is where the casino will give you back a free bet, free spin or free credit. This is usually for just signing up with that gambling outlet in the first place. As above, what you get or how much depends on the generosity of the online casino you sign up with. But we all still love them all the same! 

Free Spins 

Free spins are a must for slot lovers and extremely popular. Online casinos tend to award free spins in batches of 20, 30, 40 or more. They’re often dished out as part of a casino welcome bonus when making a first deposit, or even as a no deposit bonus. It’s common for casinos to provide these for regular or existing players. 

Live Casino Bonuses 

Live casino bonuses have quickly become an extremely in-demand promotion across online casinos. Live casino games are naturally popular with blackjack, poker, baccarat, or roulette. All games which are mostly played in a live online environment. Live casinos bonuses can arrive as you play. This means you can enjoy bonuses coming through as you play! 

Cashback Bonuses 

This type of bonus focuses on a kind of reward-based process. It compensates players a percentage based on losses or deposits made over time played. But again, it all depends on the casino policy and their types of promotions. Cashback bonuses are great as they remove the need to actually go back and deposit!

Legal gambling in California can be tough to understand. So let us take you through the key things to know.

The state of California is one of the largest in the US. This makes it a very important market for operators, both land-based casinos and those online. However, it’s also a state that has a lot of different parties offering some sort of gaming.

Right now, there are no clear regulations in relation to California online casinos. That doesn’t mean you can’t gamble online in California. As with most of the United States, it is considered a gray market. This means that while casino sites aren’t welcome within state lines, there are also no laws preventing you as a player from signing up and gambling online at a foreign site. Without any state laws imposing penalties against playing online, most gaming companies are open to Californians.

While regulation hasn’t come here yet, though, the state of California may be the key to the long-term success of legal online casinos in the US. With a population of 39 million, about one in eight US residents live in the Golden State. Whatever happens to online gambling in California could potentially influence the US market at large.

What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in California?

While most forms of real money gambling are prohibited in the state of California, the following activities are legal:

• The state lottery

• Bingo

• Tribal casinos

• Card rooms

• Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing

How Is Gambling Regulated in California?

There are two bodies which regulate gambling in California. These are:

• The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC)

• The Office of the Attorney General's Bureau of Gambling Control

The CGCC is mostly responsible for developing regulations for card rooms and tribal casinos. It also provides licenses for card rooms. If online gambling in California is ever legalized, the CGCC would be involved in the licensing of online casinos. The Bureau of Gambling Control ensures gambling laws are followed by conducting investigations. 

To play on pari-mutuel betting, bingo, and the lottery, you must be over 18 years old. California casinos accept players between 18 and 21, but this differs according to different casino rules.

There are four permanent racetracks in CA:

• Santa Anita Park

• Del Mar Racetrack

• Golden Gate Fields

• Los Alamitos

These aren’t just the top tracks in California, but some of the best across the US. Important events such as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships happen at Santa Anita. The prestigious Champion of Champions, a $1 million event, is hosted by the Los Alamitos track. 

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) handles horse racing matters. It oversees horse betting, such as pari muteul wagering, and enforces regulation.

The California Lottery was legalized in 1984. Since then, it has made the state a lot of revenue. In fact, when it comes to lottery sales it is only second to New York. Most of the funds go towards public education. CA also takes part in multi-state games such as Mega Millions and Powerball. 

Recent Developments in California Gambling Laws 

Real money online gambling in California remains a legal gray area. However, while casinos online won’t be regulated anytime soon, the discussions around legalized sports betting go on. 

January 8^th, 2020 marked California’s first hearing on the possibility of regulating sports betting. Industry experts weighed in on what the sports market would look like and how much revenue it could bring in. Their estimate stands at $2.5 - $3 billion per year, but only if new gambling laws also include the legalization of online sports betting. 

The Future of Online Gambling in Florida

Recent attempts to introduce online sports betting came with Proposition 26, backed by many of California’s Native American tribal governments. This would have legalized sports betting at tribal casinos and allowing them to also offer craps and roulette. Proposition 26 was eventually rejected and in November 2022, the same outcome came when Proposition 27 was defeated. Proposition 27 would have made online sports gambling legal and was this time opposed by Native American tribes who weren’t happy with the terms on the table. This latest campaign was the most expensive ballot measure dispute in US history, with organisers from each side spending a combined approximate of $450 million.

Legalization of these sports betting or online sports gambling will now have to wait until 2024 when campaigners can try again to get a ruling in their favour. Many still believe that it is not in the state’s interest to lose out on the potential revenue that legal online sports betting would bring. Which, of course, is lucrative.

There are many major reasons why the situation is so complicated and there is still ongoing debate. 

There are three major gaming concerns in the state: Native American tribes, card rooms, and racetracks. While the tribes and card rooms believe only they should be allowed in a regulated market, the racetracks say they deserve a slice of the pie as well. And while horse racing isn’t the juggernaut it once was, it still holds enough sway in the legislature to help prevent any bill that doesn’t include them from passing. This means that new California gambling laws would need to be implemented to protect all interests and stakeholders involved.

Keep checking this page for more updates. You can also visit our VegasSlotsOnline news section for further developments.