Sports betting is not currently legal anywhere in the Golden State. That includes all formats across retail, online and mobile. However, at least one sports betting initiative will be placed on the state’s November 2022 ballot to be voted on by the public.
Even though the state has so far chosen not to regulate and tax the industry, major DFS sites such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo, and Fantasy Draft operate in California in a gray area. Some fantasy games are free to play but can involve real money prizes.
The best California Fantasy Sites – Decemberv 2022
Find out more about the best sports betting sites and betting apps.
More on California Sports Betting
California Sports Betting: As it stands
| Online Sports Betting | N |
| Mobile Sports Betting | N |
| Retail Sports Betting | N |
| Minimum Age | N/A |
Regulated sports betting does not currently exist in California and it’s unlikely to be legalized before 2023 at the earliest. This depends on firstly getting a new sports betting initiative onto the November ballot, and secondly the public voting in favor.
The first step of this has already been accomplished, with those in California able to vote on two possible sports betting initiatives in November.
If the first of these initiatives is successful, sports betting at casinos would be legal on professional and collegiate events.
Given the Golden State’s huge potential revenues from regulated sports betting, the various gaming stakeholders in California are having trouble agreeing on the approach.
Historically, gambling has only been legally permitted on tribal-owned casinos. Therefore, the many Californian tribes are insisting that any move to legalize sports betting should effectively be an extension of these formative state compacts.
However, there are also other stakeholders vying for a piece of any future sports betting pie, such as some major online sportsbooks, California’s Card Room proprietors, and the state lottery.
Neighboring states with legal online sports betting
Although Californians cannot legally place sports wagers in the Golden State, there are neighboring states where regulated sports betting is in place. As it stands, all three of California’s bordering states have passed laws to legalize.
- Nevada – The world’s number one gambling destination hardly needs much of an introduction. All forms of sports betting are legal in Nevada, with all major sportsbook apps operating in the Silver State.
- Oregon – The Beaver State officially opened its regulatory doors in 2019. Retail and online sports betting is permitted, but the only operator currently licenced to run an app is DraftKings.
- Arizona – The state’s legislature rolled back the curtain on legal sports betting in April 2021. There are many mobile apps available in The Grand Canyon State, including BetMGM, FanDuel and Caesars to name a few of the best. Check out the best Arizona Sports Betting sites.
California Sports Betting FAQs
Check out the best sports betting sites and apps
Is sports betting legal in California?
No, sports betting is not currently legal in California.
Is it illegal to sports bet online in California?
Right now, there are no legal sports betting in California, either in person or via the internet.
Can I play DraftKings in California?
Officially, no. DraftKings is not a permissible sportsbook in California.
Is Caesars sportsbook legal in California?
Sports Betting in California is currently not legal and therefore Caesars Sportsbook cannot take wagers from residents in California.
What sportsbooks are legal in California?
Aside from betting on horse racing, there are no legal sportsbook websites that accept bets from anyone within the state of California.
Most likely California sports betting sites
DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Bally’s Interactive, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, Penn National Gaming, and WynnBET are the most likely sports betting sites should the coalition get their proposal onto the state ballot.
This proposal involves big figures and an online-only sports betting model, which would benefit the tribes and selected operators only.
Latest California Sports Betting News
The pathway to sports betting legalization in California has been more complex and harder fought than most.
In March, it was reported that three Californian tribes are taking to television to lobby against the online betting initiative proposed by the coalition of sportsbooks, that is aimed at getting on November’s ballot.
This is somewhat of a countermeasure against a lawsuit to invalidate a retail sports betting ballot proposal, filed by the tribes to keep sports betting within their property.
It’s expected that at least one of four existing proposals makes it onto November’s ballot.
This has proven to be the case, with a retail sports betting initiative set to be on November’s ballot, with sports betting set to be legal at casinos should this receive enough votes.
However, a battle of the ballot box is brewing, as Democratic and Republican legislative leaders have announced opposition to the measure allowing online wagering in California.
Major League Baseball voiced their support of the legalisation of sports betting, outlining that Proposition 27 has the safeguards to create a safe and responsible online sports betting market in California.
The history of California Sports Betting
The history of gambling in California is a long one, but the main takeaway is that its legal status has been intrinsically tied to tribal jurisdiction only.
Sports betting has never been legal, though. The race is on to acquire signatures for several different initiatives by different stakeholders onto the next ballot. The pre-history of sports betting is entering a critical phase.
California Sports Teams to bet on
Containing two of the four biggest metropolitan areas nationwide, California can proudly claim to sit top of the tree when it comes to major league sporting success.
Los Angeles alone houses 10 major league teams across the big five sports. Only New York state can compete in terms of national championships claimed down the years. The Vince Lombardi trophy is currently residing in LA thanks to the Rams’ 2022 Super Bowl triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Los Angeles Rams
It all came together for the franchise in 2021, five years after their return to California’s biggest city. The Rams lived up to the pre-season hype by going all the way to Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium, their $5 billion new home in Inglewood.
In front of more than 100,000 fans, Sean McVay’s team capped a brilliant season by dramatically claiming the title over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The blockbuster signings of Matt Stafford and Odell Beckham Jr. paid dividends all season, and the Super Bowl was no different, as the quarterback and wide receiver combined for the first touchdown of the game.
Los Angeles Chargers
After a 50-year stint down the coast in San Diego, the move back to LA hasn’t yet reversed the Chargers’ fortunes.
The franchise’s fans have suffered from long spells in the wilderness, with playoff football arriving as often as snow in the Hollywood Hills.
There was a 1994 Super Bowl loss as the San Diego Chargers, but maybe sharing the world’s most expensive stadium will see them emerge from the Rams’ shadow.
Los Angeles Clippers
Operating in the colossal shadow of the Lakers, the as yet championship-less Clippers have a long record of underachievement.
Nevertheless, things have never looked brighter for the Clippers, as 2021 brought their first Conference Finals appearance, while they will move to the brand-new Intuit Dome in 2024.
Los Angeles Lakers
Whether you’re talking “Showtime” and the likes of Magic Johnson sweeping up five NBA titles in the 80s, the late, great Kobe Bryant era, or the present-day roster inspired by the unstoppable LeBron James, the name Lakers equals success.
Not to mention the contributions of coaching greats such as the Phil Jackson/Tex Winter axis, the famous Lakers are now tied with the Boston Celtics on 17 championships all-time.
With LeBron currently contracted until the end of the 2022/23 season, you wouldn’t bet against the great man and this great franchise securing title number 18 before too long.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have ruled the ice twice in recent memory. Those Stanley Cup triumphs arrived in 2011/12 and again two seasons later thanks in no small part to the influence of head coach Darryl Sutter.
Of course, the ‘the great one’ himself, aka Wayne Gretzky, is immortalised in stone outside Staples Centre following his legendary goal-scoring exploits between 1988 and 1996.
Los Angeles Angels
The franchise has sent teams out under four different names throughout a long association with the MLB.
Their sole World Series win came back in 2002 (as the Anaheim Angels). This thrilling season finale was made all the sweeter by toppling the rival San Francisco Giants in game seven.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are one of the most renowned names in the MLB thanks to a glittering history. The franchise has won seven World Series, twenty-four pennants and claimed their divisional title nineteen times.
Although one of those world titles was one as the Brooklyn Dodgers, the move from east to west coast certainly paved the way for more consistent success.
Shortstop Cory Seager was voted WS MVP in their most recent 2020 triumph, following in the footsteps of heavy swinging Clayton Kershaw, who scooped a Triple Crown in 2011.
Los Angeles FC
The franchise only came into existence in 2018 as the success of LA Galaxy proved the love for soccer is strong in Los Angeles.
In just their second season, Los Angeles FC topped the Western Conference in the regular season to claim the Supporters shield. They have blasted to the MLS Cup semi-finals largely thanks to the 34 goals from striker Carlos Vela.
The former Arsenal and Real Sociedad striker’s 2019 season tally is an MLS record.
LA Galaxy
The glitzy franchise is one of Major League Soccer’s most successful teams, with a record five MLS Cups and four additional appearances in the final.
Some stellar names in world football have been attracted to the club that pays big wages and offers a Hollywood lifestyle. David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Steven Gerrard are among them.
Homegrown talent and record scorer, Landon Donovan, is still arguably the club’s most beloved player, nonetheless.
Arguably Galaxy’s greatest achievement is winning the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup title in 2000.
San Francisco Giants
The Giants are aptly named when it comes to MLB success. The San Francisco-based franchise (formerly New York) are tied fourth overall for World Series titles.
Meanwhile, their 23 pennants are the second-most in the National League, and second-most overall.
The Oracle Park residents have seen some of the greatest names in the game turn out in the famous Giants jersey.
Barry Bonds tops the list which also includes the likes of Dusty Baker and more recently Buster Posey. All these three knew how to wield a bat, to put it mildly.
San Francisco 49ers
Up there with California’s most famous sporting exports, are the 49ers. The red, gold and white of the Niners uniform is recognizable around the globe, not just in the NFL.
With Joe “Cool” Montana slinging bullets, the franchise dominated the league in the 1980s. That golden period returned four Super Bowls with their Hall of Fame-destined quarter-back too hot to handle in the pocket.
Having endured a quiet period post their Super Bowl XXIX win in 1994, the 21st century has seen the reawakening of this iconic NFL franchise.
Both the 2012 and 2019 seasons produced runs right through to football’s showpiece, and despite tight defeats, the good times are back at Levi’s Park for the seven-time NFC champs.
Golden State Warriors
The decision to spend big on bringing in head coach Steve Kerr to the Warriors proved to be some of the best spent money in NBA history.
Some foundations were in place, not least a talented roster featuring Steph Curry, but Kerr – a five-time NBA winner as a player – galvanized the dressing room and created a dynasty.
Five successive NBA finals were reached, three of them turning into victories, in a titanic struggle with the Cleveland Cavaliers that defined the period.
As well as Curry’s phenomenal impact on this franchise, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green have also written their names into Golden State and NBA folklore.
Anaheim Ducks
The Walt-Disney Company-founded franchise only proved their true mightiness after being sold and taking on a new name.
Once the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim had become the Anaheim Ducks in 2005, the new owners and general manager Brian Burke were soon celebrating a first Stanley Cup win.
That 2006/07 triumph remains the franchise’s jewel, though their recent slump to three successive campaigns without playoff hockey has equaled their poorest run since 1993.
San Jose Sharks
Although the Sharks are six-time divisional champions and one-time conference champs, their only tilt at the Stanley Cup finals to date ended in failure.
That brush with glory arrived in the 2015/16 campaign, as the Pittsburgh Penguins prevailed in six games.
San Jose Earthquakes
Two-time MLS Cup champions, the Earthquakes landed their second and last playoffs win with league legend Landon Donovan up top.
Despite adding a Supporters Shield to the PayPal Arena trophy cabinet back in 2012, and the longs years of service from the MLS’s all-time leading scorer Chris Wondolowski, the Earthquakes have failed to make an impact since.
Oakland Athletics
The A’s haven’t added to their impressive haul of nine World Series titles (third overall in the MLB), since 1989.
However, historical accolades are hardly in scarce supply at the Oakland Coliseum. The Athletics are the only team apart from the New York Yankees to complete a World Series “three-peat”, which they did between 1972 and 1974 to name the most special.
Recent post-season appearances have at least been frequent, if not particularly fruitful.
