California (CA)

The Golden State is the home of some of the most well-known and best US sports teams. So, it's only natural that among the multitude of fans, many want to bet on their favorite sports, players, and more. However, sports betting is not yet legal in California, meaning no state-regulated online sportsbooks are currently available.

Despite being given the chance to legalize both sports betting and mobile sports betting this recent 2022 midterm election cycle the people of California voted a resounding no to both propositions so it's likely California natives will have to wait until 2024 for another chance at legalized sports betting.

Online Sports Betting in California

As we initially said, online sports betting isn't yet legalized in California. Any kind of sports gambling is currently illegal in The Golden State as there are no brick-and-mortar sports betting facilities in the State. This frustrates the residents because they cannot fully enjoy their favorite sports.

Californians can enjoy certain forms of gambling at land-based casinos and card rooms. Still, residents cannot visit a local bookmaker or even place a sports wager within a casino or at a horse racing track. That said, CA residents can choose to visit a neighboring state, such as Nevada or Oregon, where sports betting is entirely legal.

However, if they don't want to go to such lengths, the State does not consider offshore sports gambling illegal. This means that residents can also bet online at international sportsbooks located offshore. Residents can choose to visit the sportsbook's website or use its betting app, but they, of course, need to be at least 18 years old to place wagers. In general, this is much more permissive than many other US states where the legal age for sports betting is 21.

At the same time, as sports betting markets are opening up across the US, it is natural that there is a growing call to legalize sports gambling in California.

Sports Betting Legislation in CA

In May 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). This federal law effectively banned sports gambling in most US states, including California. That 2018 decision opened up the betting market across the US, and at the time of writing, over 30 states have legalized sports betting in one form or another.

There have also been several attempts in the past to legalize sports betting in CA, but they were unsuccessful. Now, new initiatives to legalize sports gambling are being put forward by bodies such as the tribal casinos. Any changes to the current legislation will need a constitutional amendment, which can be achieved either through a voter referendum or through legislation backed by voters.

Despite one initiative to legalize sports betting the state getting over one million signatures both propositions pertaining to the legalization of sports betting were voted against in the most recent 2022 elections. Tribal casinos and major sportsbooks like DraftKings will now likely have to wait until 2024 for another chance at sports betting to be legalized.

In-Person Sports Betting In California

There are no retail sportsbooks in The Golden State as in-person sports wagering is also currently illegal within the state’s borders. While many US states consider only online sports betting to be forbidden, California prohibits retail sportsbooks as well. With the recent elections proving to be another failed attempt to legalize sports betting this will remain the case until at least 2024.

So, currently, the residents of the state can only place sports wagers on offshore betting sites and apps. They can bet on many sports and events, such as the Super Bowl, NBA, NFL, MLB, tennis, boxing, etc. We expect these sports betting markets will be available if and when gambling is legalized in the state.

Sports Betting In Neighboring States

The situation in California's neighboring states is quite different as in Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona sports betting is legal. Residents can visit retail sportsbooks for in-person wagering or bet online, as well as place wagers at offshore sportsbooks. In addition, online sportsbooks have launched mobile apps too. On first look, we can see many big names from the sportsbooks industry operating in the aforementioned states. These include DraftKings, FanDuel, Barstool, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and more.

State-regulated and legal sports betting has already been proven beneficial for the local economies. For example, in Nevada between June 2018 and July 2019, the state-wide revenue from sports gambling was a massive $307.36 million. In 2021, this figure rose to around $50 million a month.

In Oregon, the total revenue from betting for 2021 was over $30 million. These amounts consider only sports wagering, not all gambling activities.

In Arizona, it is yet to be announced, as online and in-person sports betting became legal in 2021. Thus, the odds of sports gambling generating sizable revenue for California are promising.

How do mobile sportsbook apps work in California?

The only legal sports betting in California happens via offshore sportsbooks, and luckily, there are several available for CA residents that are pretty good. These sportsbooks include Bovada, BetOnline, MyBookie, and XBet, all well-known operators within the industry. They are trustworthy and reliable, operating under all the proper regulations.

As big offshore sportsbooks in the industry, they offer mobile apps for their users, including California residents. So, the only thing someone can do is choose one of these bookies and register on their app. The registration process for all these sportsbooks is easy. You need to create a profile by providing your basic information, including your full name, country of origin, email, mobile phone number, and age. After you confirm, you make the first deposit, and you are good to go.

The mobile apps of these sportsbooks work similarly as their layouts are identical. So, in matters of usability, there is nothing complicated to it. There is a particular menu bar; by clicking it, you will see the available sports, teams, betting markets, odds, etc. There is also a special section with all the bonuses and promos you can grab. Let's see what residents need to do to register at an offshore sportsbook.

Getting started - Step-by-step

Offshore sportsbooks are the only option for CA sports betting. Luckily, the registration process is simple, just like in an online casino or gambling website, and California residents must follow these steps to register.

1. Choose your preferred bookie. Start by browsing through the available sports betting sites and apps, checking the bonuses and offers, and reading the terms of service. Then decide which sportsbook you prefer.

2. Create an account. You must fill in your full name, address, state, country, and zip code. You will also need to provide an actual email and mobile number.

3. Provide age identification. You will need to provide a legal piece of identification, such as a driver's license, to prove that you are 18 years old or older and live within the state.

4. Verify your account. The next step is to verify your new account by simply clicking on the verification email that the bookie will send.

5. Make the first deposit. Every offshore sportsbook operating in California will have different bonus offers and deposit limits, so check the terms. Now you can start sports betting in CA!

Bonuses and CA sports betting offers

Offshore sportsbooks offer various bonuses to California users, and the most common promotion model is the welcome bonus. This typically takes the form of a match deposit bonus. Here, the user deposits for the first time, and the sportsbook matches it to a specific percentage. This generally ranges from 50 to 150%, depending on the sportsbook.

For example, Bovada's current offer is a 50% match deposit bonus of up to $1000, while X-bet is offering a 100% match deposit bonus of up to $500. X-bet also offers a reload bonus of a match deposit of 25% up to $250.

Payment methods for depositing

Every available sportsbook offers a great variety of payment methods to California residents. These payment options include those commonly found when playing at online casinos, such as credit, debit cards, eWallets, and prepaid cards.

However, some operators also allow deposits using cryptocurrencies. This is an excellent option because usually, state-regulated sportsbooks do not accept cryptocurrency either for deposits or withdrawals. Usually, cryptocurrency is available as a withdrawal option too at offshore sportsbooks.

When registering at a legal and trustworthy offshore sportsbook, bettors will find that all payment options are, of course, very safe as these sports betting operators use only legitimate methods for all their financial transactions. Please note the importance of legality and trustworthiness when it comes to these sportsbooks and do proper research before using an offshore sportsbook.

What is legal to bet on in California?

Offshore sportsbooks offer various California betting options, including basketball, football, baseball, tennis, golf, boxing, MMA and UFC, and soccer. Unfortunately, betting on horse racing is not possible as of now. But California bettors can place their wagers on the Super Bowl and events like the NASCAR and NFL playoffs.

You can bet on eSports, even though many offshore sportsbooks tend to exclude them from their lists. So far, no law or regulation prohibits eSports betting in CA, and it is one of the things that the State will have to consider if the result of the November vote is in favor of the legitimization of sports betting.

Another option that CA residents have for sports gambling is live betting. This way, they can watch their favorite match and place wagers while the game is happening. This kind of in-play betting also allows them to change their bets according to the game's progress. Usually, it offers other perks as well, such as live odds and special promotions.

What’s Next For CA Betting Apps?

CA betting apps will now have to wait until the 2024 elections for another chance for sports betting legalization to be voted on.

Proposition 27 on the most recent California mid-term election ballot gave voters the chance to legalize mobile sports betting however this proposition came back with a large majority of people voting against it. Tribal casinos are adamant they don't want mobile sports betting legalized, they only want brick-and-mortar casinos to offer sports betting in the fear betting apps will take away their business.

If the state does decide to legalize sports betting and mobile sports betting in 2024 it is projected the state will make billions in revenue since it is the biggest market still without sports betting. The most likely online sportsbooks available in CA if the law is ever passed are DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, MGM, and BetRivers, as they are already significant operators within the US sports gambling industry.

Trusted California sports betting mobile apps in 2023

• Bovada is probably the most popular offshore sportsbook available in California. The first owner and operator were Bodog, who launched the sportsbook in 2011. Today, Bovada is independent and operates in Costa Rica. Over the years, this sportsbook has become one of the favorites in the US primarily because of its many betting markets, competitive odds, excellent customer service, and great payout times.

• MyBookie is another excellent offshore sportsbook that California bettors can use. It launched in 2014 in the Netherlands and offered many great bonuses and promotions. However, what makes it stand out in the market is its unique betting lines, as MyBookie does not offer lines only for sports but also for celebrity divorces, religious events, and even death matchups.

• BetOnline is the oldest sportsbook on this list as it launched online in 2004, operating from Panama, but had been in action since 1991. Its great success relies on its goal of remaining relevant and always including new betting lines.

• Xbet has been MyBookie’s sibling since MyBookie bought Xbet in 2017. Initially, it operated from Costa Rica, but in 2017, it moved to Curaçao. Its target market is the US. Thus, it includes all American sports and events and offers some of the best wager types.