Online Sports Betting in California 2024
Curious about the stance of sports betting in the Golden State? Online sports betting is currently illegal in California. Recent attempts stalled, but tribal leaders aim to introduce it in casinos by 2026, potentially allowing online betting.
In this guide, we’ll break down the current CA legal landscape, share betting alternatives, and cover essential tips—including how to handle your winnings. Get the latest on California sports betting!
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Find out why online sports betting is not legal in California.
- Explore the best CA sweepstakes sportsbooks.
- Learn about the latest gambling legislation news of the state.
Best Social Sports Betting for California Bettors
While there are no active traditional sportsbooks, residents can still place sports picks on social sports betting sites. Using virtual currency, Californians can bet on popular sports and redeem their winnings for prizes or cash.
To guide your choice, our team gathered the best sweepstakes sportsbooks for CA bettors:
California Online Gambling: What’s Legal and What’s Not
Although sports betting remains off the table—for now, Californians can still enjoy several forms of gambling. From tribal casinos and poker rooms to horse racing and daily fantasy sports, locals have options.
Below, we provide an overview of each type of gambling available in the Golden State:
| Gambling Type | Legal? | Current Situation | Legal Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Sportsbooks | No | Propositions 26 & 27 were rejected in 2022; no new bill on the table. | — |
| Retail Sportsbooks | No | Not yet permitted; tribal representatives exploring future possibilities. | — |
| Tribal Casino Gaming | Yes | Over 80 tribal casinos offer slots and table games. | 18 or 21* |
| Poker | Yes | 88 licensed card rooms statewide. | 18 |
| Horse Racing | Yes | Pari-mutuel betting is allowed at racetracks and select off-track sites. | 18 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | No state laws prohibiting DFS. | 18 |
| Social Sportsbooks | Yes | Sweepstakes and social betting apps offer free-to-play options for prizes. | 18 |
*Legal age may vary by casino.
Top Sports and Teams to Follow in California
It’s ironic that a state with such a rich sports history prohibits sports betting! Californians are indeed spoiled for choice when it comes to sports and sports teams. Let’s explore what are your options to make picks:
Fact: California teams have won championships in every major league—Super Bowl, NBA, Stanley Cup, and World Series.
Football
The San Francisco 49ers lead with five Super Bowl wins, while the LA Rams secured their latest win in 2022. The LA Chargers won an AFL title in 1963.
Basketball
California is home to two powerhouse NBA teams:
- LA Lakers, with 17 championships
- Golden State Warriors, with four recent finals’ appearances (2015-2022)
The LA Clippers and Sacramento Kings also add to the state’s basketball presence.
Baseball
California hosts five MLB teams:
- Los Angeles Angels
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Oakland Athletics
- San Francisco Giants
- San Diego Padres
Together, they’ve won 14 World Series titles, the latest by the Dodgers in 2020.
Hockey
Three NHL teams call California home:
- Anaheim Ducks (Stanley Cup win in 2007)
- LA Kings (wins in 2012 and 2014)
- San Jose Sharks
Soccer
All three MLS teams—LA Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes, and LAFC—have won the MLS Cup, with San Diego FC joining the league in 2025.
College Sports
California boasts 26 Division 1 colleges. The California Golden Bears and Stanford lead in championships, while UCLA is a close second. Notable programs like Pepperdine Golf and San Diego State’s alumni Xander Schauffele highlight California’s college sports success.
Reporting Betting Winnings in California
You are required to pay taxes on any sports betting winnings in California. Any gambling winnings are considered income and must be reported on both federal and state tax returns, with any losses deductible up to the amount of your winnings.
California taxes gambling income between 1% and 12.3% depending on your income bracket. On the federal level, if you win over $5,000, a 24% tax may apply.
To fully understand how taxes work on sports betting, we invite you to read our complete linked guide.
California Sports Betting: What Comes Next?
The latest update on California sports betting came in 2022, when voters considered Propositions 26 and 27 to legalize in-person and online betting. Both proposals sparked debate but were ultimately rejected.
The future of online sports betting in California is still uncertain, though tribal groups and lawmakers are increasingly interested in revisiting the issue. Tribal leaders hope to introduce sports betting at their casinos by 2026, and discussions are underway to craft a proposal that considers state, community, and tribal needs. If successful, this could lead to mobile sports betting soon after.
For now, however, Californians will need to wait for a new proposal that might finally bring online sportsbooks to the state. Meanwhile, we recommend you check out our page on state-by-state gambling legislation to stay updated.
References
- IRS Topic no. 419 on Gambling Income and Losses — Retrieved Nov 14, 2024
- Proposition 26 Gambling in California — Retrieved Nov 14, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Online gambling is not legal in California due to significant tribal resistance and differing views among major stakeholders.
Penalties for illegal gambling in the state can include fines or, in some cases, misdemeanor charges, depending on the circumstances.
Californians can legally participate in betting at tribal casinos, licensed poker card rooms, horse racing tracks, and on sweepstakes sportsbooks offering DFS.
