California Online Casinos
Illegal · 0+
Guide coming soonState Guide
Is Online Gambling Legal in California
California doesn't permit online sports betting or casino gaming. The state has no licensed sportsbooks or casinos. DFS operates without state licenses, while prediction markets are regulated federally by the CFTC.
On this page
Legal basis
Proposition 26 and Proposition 27 - rejected by voters.
California is one of the few US states where sports betting and online casinos are illegal. The state doesn’t run any sportsbooks or online casinos. Daily fantasy sports betting sites operate without a state law, while prediction markets are regulated on a federal level.
Over 80% of voters rejected Proposition 27 in late 2022. It was supposed to legalize some forms of online gambling, but the state’s residents were overwhelmingly against it.
What Gambling Is Legal in California
Most forms of online gambling are not legal in California. Proposition 26 and Proposition 27 were heavily rejected by voters, proposing different paths to legalizing online gambling.
| Proposition 26 | Proposition 27 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it proposed | In-person sports betting at tribal casinos and the state's four horse-racing tracks, plus roulette and dice games on tribal land | Statewide online and mobile sports betting, requiring out-of-state operators to partner with a licensed tribe |
| Backed by | A coalition of tribes ($130 million raised). | DraftKings, FanDuel, and other national operators |
| Result | Rejected, November 2022 | Rejected, November 2022 (80%+ opposed) |
Sports Betting in California: Not Legal
Online sports betting in California, despite a push by the state to legalize it. Voters rejected Propositions 26 and 27 on November 22. It was an overwhelming No, with more than 80% of votes against it.
As of September 2026, there’s no active bill. Tribes are preparing an initiative for the 2028 ballot.
Online Casino in California: Not Legal
Similar to online sportsbooks, online casinos are illegal in California. There are no licensed operators as of 2026.
Daily Fantasy Sports: No Law Either Way
Daily fantasy sports are not regulated in California either way. Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a formal opinion in July 2025, concluding under Penal Code section 337a that both draft-style and pick’em contests constitute illegal sports wagering.
However, the opinion is advisory and not binding. A Sacramento Superior Court judge directly said so, denying Underdog’s request to block release. Governor Newsom, separately, publicly disagreed with the opinion's conclusion that DFS constitutes illegal wagering, calling instead for a constructive path toward collaboration with all stakeholders.
FanDuel and DraftKings operate DFS in California and aim to dispute the opinion. PrizePicks moved to the Arena format, while Underdog moved to Champions. Both restructured their operations as peer-to-peer contests, rather than player vs. house.
Litigation against all four companies is active in California’s Northern District. Currently, the position is not resolved in one way or the other.
Prediction Markets: Federal, Not State
Prediction markets in California are regulated federally by the CFTC as event-contract exchanges. They sit outside of California’s law, but no license exists in this category. See our CFTC tracker for the latest federal status updates.
Sweepstakes Casinos: Banned Since January 2026
Sweepstakes social gaming platforms are banned in CA since January 2026. Governor Newsom signed the AB 831 bill on October 11, 2025, with an effective date of January 1, 2026.
The Gambling Age in California
The legal gambling age in California depends on the product. Active tribal casinos that serve alcohol set the limit to 21. Card rooms have a minimum age limit of 18. It’s the same for pari-mutuel horse race betting and the California State Lottery. The state has not set a state-wide gambling age so far.
Who Regulates Gambling in California
The Gambling Control Commission and the Bureau
The forms of gambling that are regulated in California are policed by the California Gambling Control Commission. This applies to third-party providers and licensed card rooms.
The Bureau of Gambling Control inside the Department of Justice handles investigation and enforcement of rules. An Attorney General’s office sits above it, which has issued the 2025 DFS opinion discussed above.
Tribal Gaming Agencies
Tribes that provide gaming service in California have gaming agencies that regulate operations. They fall under Class III compacts within the state.
Where to Get Help in California
California’s Office of Problem Gambling uses the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline for queries and professional help. It replaced the former 1-800-522-4700 line. Players can also text SUPPORT to 53342. See our responsible gambling resources for more information on how to prevent gambling problems.
Who Regulates Gambling in California
Regulator information is being verified.
Where to Bet in California
California Sportsbooks
Illegal · 0+
Guide coming soonCalifornia Daily Fantasy Sports
Available Without A State License · 18+
Guide coming soonCalifornia Prediction Markets
Federally Regulated · 18+
Guide coming soonThe current legal status for online gambling in California is quite restricted. There aren’t many online operators with a licensed status until something changes in the near future.
DraftKings and FanDuel in California
Due to current California regulations, neither DraftKings or FanDuel are legal to offer online casino gaming or sports betting in the state.
Both operators run daily fantasy sports services, which is the only product that’s available in California, even if it does come without a governed law.
PrizePicks and Underdog in California
Following the Attorney General’s 2025 opinion, PrizePicks and Underdog changed the structure of their operations.
Underdog now operates Champions P2P contests, while PrizePicks switched to the Arena format. The restructured format is different from player vs. house contests.
Kalshi and Polymarket in California
Kalshi and Polymarket are regulated event-contract exchanges by the CFTC. They’re available in California under federal financial regulation rather than state gambling law.
In the state of California, Polymarket and Kalshi offer political and event contracts. These include California governor race markets, which are a distinct category different from any other.
To clear the Stake.us and sweepstakes casinos, both are banned in California effectively from January 1, 2026. The AB 831 bill prohibits social gaming platforms in the state, so sweepstakes casinos aren’t legal.
What Is Not Available
California’s state laws prohibit sportsbook, online casino, online poker, and sweepstakes platforms.
Tax on Gambling Winnings in California
California State Tax on Winnings
Unlike other states, California taxes gambling and contest winnings as ordinary income. The top marginal rate is 13.3%. It’s the highest in the US states.
An additional 1.1% state disability insurance rate applies to wages. It doesn’t raise the rate on winnings.
What You Still Owe Federally
Federal taxes may still apply in addition to the state rates. Operators available in California issue a W-2G above federal reporting thresholds. Keep in mind that this is just general information, and not tax advice.
General information only; not tax advice.
Pending California Gambling Legislation
The 2028 Ballot Initiative
At the moment, California doesn’t have an active sports betting bill. Per the CNIGA, tribes are preparing for a new initiative in 2028. It should cover in-person and online betting, but no measure has been filed as of September 2026.
A finalized list of tribal-operator deals is required before signature gathering can begin, and it’s scheduled for mid-2027.
The 2026 Sweepstakes Ban
In 2026, California banned sweepstakes casinos outright. It reaches operators, geolocation providers, payment processors, media affiliates, and content suppliers.
Fines are steep, ranging from $1,000-$25,000, and up to a year in a county jail.
The Daily Fantasy Sports Litigation
DFS markets are among the most interesting developments on the market. While currently not legal or illegal, a federal class action in California’s Northern District survived a motion to dismiss the hearing in mid-2026.
However, the injunction remains live. This isn’t a prediction, but a current status update.
Frequently asked questions
Is betting legal in California?
No, as California has never legalized online sports betting. In 2022, voters rejected Propositions 26 and 27. More than 80% of voters rejected Prop 27, and as a result, there’s no currently active bill on betting in California. Sportsbooks don’t hold Californian licenses as well. Tribes are preparing for a 2028 ballot initiative.
Is DraftKings legal in California?
DraftKings operates in California, but not all of its products are legal. Daily fantasy sports are allowed, but currently sit in a contested position. There are no laws for or against DFS, although the AG’s 2025 opinion says it’s illegal. DraftKings is continuing to dispute that.
Is Kalshi legal in California?
Kalshi is active in California, and operates as a CFTC-regulated event-contract exchange in the state. It falls under federal regulation rather than local laws. It doesn’t have a California license. The same applies to Polymarket, including all California political markets.
Is online casino legal in California?
California has so far never authorized online casino gaming. There are no licensed online casino operators in the states. Casino gaming is mainly limited to tribal properties under Class III compacts and card rooms. They don’t offer house-banked games. Sites advertising California online casinos are located offshore and unregulated in the state.
What is the gambling age in California?
Depends on the product. Land-based casinos that serve alcohol have an age limit of 21. In card rooms, pari-mutuel horse racing tracks, and for State Lottery games, the limit is 18. California doesn’t have a state-wide gambling age. We advise players to check the legal age requirement for specific venues and products.
Do you pay tax on gambling winnings in California?
Yes, you must pay taxes on gambling winnings in California. They’re taxed as ordinary income. The top marginal rate sits at 13.3%, which is the highest figure in the USA. An additional 1.1% disability insurance rate applies to wagers. This isn’t tax advice. Players should check local laws if they win something at California’s allowed gambling establishments.