California Casinos Online and Gambling Laws, is online casino legal in california.
Is online casino legal in california
Online casino sites to play on real money
While regulation hasn’t come here yet, though, california may be the key to the long-term success of online gambling (and, especially, internet poker) in the united states. With a population of nearly 39 million, about 12 percent of all americans live in the state: that’s more than the entire population of canada, making it an attractive statewide market even without access to the rest of the USA. At the moment, there are no regulations governing online casinos in california. That doesn’t mean you can’t play, of course: as with most of the united states, this is considered a grey market, which means that while casino sites aren’t exactly welcome, there are also no laws preventing you, as a player, from signing up and playing at any site willing to take your business. Without any state laws imposing penalties against internet gambling, most gaming companies that generally serve the united states are open to californians.
California casinos online and gambling laws
As the largest state, california is a very important market for gambling operators, both live and online. It’s also a state that has a well-developed gaming industry, with several different factions offering some sort of gaming in the golden state. It’s a situation that presents plenty of opportunity for online casino sites, though a divide over how it might be implemented has so far prevented regulations from being passed here.
Current online climate
At the moment, there are no regulations governing online casinos in california. That doesn’t mean you can’t play, of course: as with most of the united states, this is considered a grey market, which means that while casino sites aren’t exactly welcome, there are also no laws preventing you, as a player, from signing up and playing at any site willing to take your business. Without any state laws imposing penalties against internet gambling, most gaming companies that generally serve the united states are open to californians.
While regulation hasn’t come here yet, though, california may be the key to the long-term success of online gambling (and, especially, internet poker) in the united states. With a population of nearly 39 million, about 12 percent of all americans live in the state: that’s more than the entire population of canada, making it an attractive statewide market even without access to the rest of the USA.
But, so far, efforts to pass legislation that would bring regulated web-based gambling to the state have stalled year after year. Gaming interests want it, and plenty of legislators are interested in the revenue potential of such sites. So what’s the hold up?
Right now, it appears as though the most likely bill to pass would be one that would only regulate online poker, rather than all forms of gambling. The biggest problem appears to be a schism in the gaming industry over two key issues.
First, there is a question of who exactly would be allowed to operate such sites. 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 that 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 california legislature to help prevent any bill that doesn’t include them from passing.
Then there is the question of a bad actor clause. If you’re not familiar with the term, such a clause would prevent companies that continued operating in the united states after the passage of the unlawful internet gambling enforcement act from gaining a license in the state. In practical terms, this one affect only one major company: pokerstars, which is now owned by amaya.
The entire gaming industry in california is sharply divided on this point. Pokerstars itself has set up a strong coalition of tribes and card rooms to oppose such a measure, one that includes the morongo band of mission indians, the san manuel band of mission indians, the commerce, the bicycle, and the hawaiian gardens casino.
On the other side of the issue are many indian tribes who do not want to see pokerstars, which they see as a powerful out-of-state competitor, in any regulated state market. These groups, which include the pechanga band of luiseno indians, have pointed to the “black friday” indictments against pokerstars and full tilt poker as a reason why they should not be allowed into the state again.
Online gambling california
It is safe and legal to gamble online in california. While the california state legislature has dithered on passing online poker laws for the past decade, CA officials do not prosecute individuals fif they play online for real money. It’s illegal to start your own online gambling business. Also, all residents must pay taxes on any revenue earned from online gambling. Otherwise, you can play online with no legal consequences.
This article discusses CA gambling laws, including casino, ipoker, bookmaker, and daily fantasy sports gaming. We provide a timeline of california gambling history, along with an CA gambling FAQ for readers who have questions. We also provide reviews of the best online casinos, poker rooms, and legal sports betting sites for californians.
Best california online gambling sites 2020 – casinos & sportsbooks
California online gambling quick menu:
California online gambling laws
No california laws prohibit, ban, or regulate online gambling. Residents are not arrested or prosecuted for gambling online. California requires residents to be 18 years of age to play the lottery. The legal age of gambling in california is 21 years of age to play in online casinos, sportsbooks, poker rooms, and bingo halls.
Advice for online poker, casino games & sports betting in california
Many gambling sites accept californians. Offshore online poker, casinos, and sportsbooks accept californians. We list online gambling sites that are safe, trusted, entertaining, and accept california residents. Our reviews discuss signup bonuses and deposit bonuses.
Land-based tribal casinos are the biggest legal gaming dens in california. Tribes own casinos in areas like san diego and sacremento. Commercial poker clubs like the bicycle club and commerce club exist in los angeles. Those who wish to play CA poker online won’t be prosecuted or fined, but should read honest reviews by other players to find the safe and trusted online card sites.
Types of gambling – legal/licensed – notes & restrictions
- Online gambling– no – online poker bill debates since 2010, but tabled for 2018. Online poker bills might happen in 2020.
- Land-based casinos– yes – over 160 tribal casinos, poker clubs, racetracks, off-site betting, and bingo halls. Several have thousands of slot machines.
- Charitable gaming– yes – bingo. No other charitable games allowed. Gaming machines like pull-tabs not allowed.
- Lottery betting– yes – california allows sales of powerball and mega millions tickets at thousands of vendors.
- Minimum gambling age– california players must be 18 for casinos, lottery, bingo, pari-mutuel bets. 21 for most poker clubs, though 18 is allowable.
Online bingo sites are not as popular as online casinos, sportsbooks, or poker rooms in the state of california, but there are a few who still enjoy them. For those who wish to join an online bingo hall, we have provided you with safe and entertaining choices in our list of online gambling sites. Join one today for fun, carefree, entertaining bingo games.
California daily fantasy sports bill
Along with the many online poker bills over the years, california lawmakers have tried to pass a handful of daily fantasy sports bills. The internet fantasy sports game protection act (AB 1437), sponsored by assemblyman adam gray in 2016, failed to gain traction. Since then, gray proposed a DFS and sports betting bill, but not gambling bills appear to have the requisite support in the general assembly.
Though unregulated, california residents will find most online betting sites in california provide a safe and legal gaming, reliable payouts, and generous welcome bonuses.
California online poker laws
Every attempt to pass ipoker legislation foundered over the bad actor clause, despite several attempts to find a compromise. Roderick wright left california politics in 2013, but sen. Lou correa championed internet poker. Correa eventually ended his active support in 2015, but reggie jones-sawyer and mike gatto made several attempts to pass california online poker laws. No attempts have worked to this date.
The bicycle club is the most famous commercial poker room in los angeles.
List of licensed poker rooms in the state of california
California is home to over 100 different poker rooms, many of them available if you run a google search of “card rooms near me”. This list includes addresses, phone numbers as well as how many poker tables are available in the poker room along with table games.
| Poker club / location | casino details |
|---|---|
| 500 club | clovis | 12 poker tables, 6 table games |
| the aviator casino | delano | 12 poker tables |
| artichoke joe’s casino | san bruno | 51 poker & table games tables |
| bankers casino | salinas | 5 poker tables, racebook |
| bay 101 casino | san jose | 23 poker tables, 26 table games |
| the bicycle hotel & casino | bell gardens | 5 poker tables, racebook |
| california grand casino | pacheco | 14 poker tables, 5 table games |
| cameo club casino | stockton | 3 poker tables, 5 table games |
| capitol casino | sacramento | 10 poker tables, 7 table games |
| cameo club casino | stockton | 3 poker tables, 2 table games |
| casino m8trix | san jose | 49 poker tables & table games |
| casino club | redding | 5 poker tables |
| casino marysville | marysville | 4 poker tables, 2 table games |
| crystal casino | compton | 42 poker tables and table games |
| club one casino | fresno | 16 poker tables, 35 table games, racebook |
| casino monterey: marina club | marina | 3 poker tables, 7 table games |
| commerce casino | commerce (los angeles) | 200 poker tables, 70 table games |
| casino real | manteca | 6 poker tables, 7 table games |
The pechanga tribe opposes pokerstars’ entry in CA online poker.
Will I go to jail for gambling online in the state of california?
California authorities do not arrest online gamblers. While no residents of california have ever gone to jail for gambling online, that does not mean it might not happen in the future. US operators might face prosecution, but only the most radical public figures (in pennsylvania) have called for law enforcement to prosecute gamblers. Before you bet online for real money, please make certain of the federal, state, and local laws on gambling.
Reggie jones-sawyer introduced the most recent california online poker bill in 2017.
Timeline of california gambling bills
February 2010 | roderick wright sponsors 1st california online poker bill
Sen. Roderick wright introduced senate bill 1485, which would have legalized california ipoker.
January 2012 | roderick wright sponsors 2nd california online poker bill
Sen. Wright sponsored a second version of SB 1485. The california online poker association (COPA) backed the bill.
February 2013 | roderick wright sponsors 3rd california online poker bill
Sen. Wright re-introduces SB 1485 to the legislature. COPA has split into two factions.
February 2013 | lou correa introduces his own online poker bill
Sen. Lou correa sponsored senate bill 678, which was backed by the morongo tribe and san manuel band of mission indians.
March 2014 | reggie jones-sawyer sponsors AB 2291
Assemblyman reggie jones-sawyer introduced the california online poker bill 2014, also known as AB2291.
August 2014 | lou correa introduces modified online poker bill
Sen. Lou correa sponsored senate bill 1366 in an attempt to bridge the gap between the morongo and pechanga factions.
September 2014 | roderick wright resigns from office
California lost its greatest online poker advocate when roderick wright resigned amid scandal.
February 2015 | lou correa sponsors 2015 online poker bill
Sen. Lou correa reintroduces SB 1366, but it failed to gain traction.
March 2015 | reggie jones-sawyer reintroduces AB 2291
Assemblyman reggie jones-sawyer sponsors the california online poker bill 2017, but it failed to gain approval.
February 2016 | reggie jones-sawyer sponsors AB 167
Jones-sawyer backs a modified online poker bill, but tribal politics again wreck his plan.
December 2016 | mike gatto sponsors assembly bill 9
Mike gatto introduces his own online poker bill, hoping to add special provisions that would please both factions. AB9 was dead on arrival.
February 2017 ] reggie jones-sawyer sponsors internet poker protection act
Reggie jones-sawyer backs the internet poker protection act of 2017. When the bill petered out in august 2017, jones-sawyer recommended a cooling off period in 2018 and 2019. He suggested 2020 might be a time for a new california ipoker bill.
Latest news
Four separate state lawmakers — reggie jones-sawyer, mike gatto, lou correa, roderick wright — have introduced a total of 11 different online poker bills over the past 9 years, but each bill failed to pass out of committee. A longstanding dispute between two blocks of tribal casinos undermined several bills sponsored by pokerstars. One faction is led by the morongo band of mission indians, who support pokerstars. The other faction is led by the pechanga resort, which opposes pokerstars.
Eric hollreiser, a spokesman for pokerstars, pointed out the bad actor clause would give certain tribes a competitive advantage: “we seem to be the only company that meets that standard.”
Reggie jones-sawyer said a CA online poker bill could be possible in 2020 after a 2-year cooling off period.
Assemblyman reggie jones-sawyer, who now is the most prominent supporter of california ipoker, said he might introduce a new version of the internet poker consumer protection act in 2020. Jones-sawyer said, as of 2019, both sides need a “cooling off” period before that happens. Thus, no california online poker law seems eminent.
Legal online casinos in california
Out of all states, california enjoys the most potential for regulated online casino gaming. The state houses the largest population at almost 40 million residents and boasts the largest economy at $3 trillion in gross state product.
The problem, though, is that california hasn’t legalized online casinos. The only legislative efforts it has put forth involve online poker.
The state is missing out on a goldmine of tax dollars from online gaming. Meanwhile, several other states are already capitalizing on the opportunity by offering residents and visitors legal gaming sites.
Regulated online casinos in california will likely take advantage of the opportunity in the future.
Here, we’ll cover what types of games online CA casinos would offer. But first, let’s discuss the current gaming market and why past legislative efforts have failed.
California-based businesses aren’t allowed to operate casino sites because of the federal unlawful internet gambling enforcement act of 2006, or UIGEA. This law prohibits all US companies from knowingly accepting payments related to bets or wagers placed over the internet.
Sweepstakes casinos for real cash prizes in california
Fortunately, californians aren’t completely out of options for playing casino games online. One solution is to use sweeps cash casinos – like chumba casino and luckyland slots, which run on virtual currencies while simultaneously providing their customers with an opportunity to win real money prizes.
The model is simple: players need to purchase virtual currency bundles to play the games. Each of those bundles comes with a promotional set of sweepstakes tickets, which can also be used to play the games. The catch is that you can win more of them if you put them at risk. Every ticket that has been played at least once can be used to redeem real money prizes, i.E., cash out.
Legally, what makes this model work is the fact that virtual currency is the purchasable product, and the sweepstakes tickets are handed out for free as promotional gifts. Because sweepstakes-based promotions are legal in california and virtual currency holds no intrinsic value and can even be transferred outside the casino site, california residents are free to play on such platforms without violating section 330.
California online casino fact sheet:
| state-sanctioned sites: | no. UIGEA still in effect. |
|---|---|
| Offshore casino sites: | illegal |
| social sites: | legal |
| sweepstakes sites: | legal |
| online casino bill: | no. All efforts were focused on poker. |
The current legal status of california online gambling
The golden state hasn’t regulated gaming sites yet. As a result, california doesn’t offer any legal online casinos.
Operating an internet-based casino in this state is illegal. No law directly addresses gambling at an unregulated gaming site.
However, penal code 330a, which discusses illegal gambling, could be applied to playing through a smartphone, tablet or PC:
“(…) any slot or card machine, contrivance, appliance or mechanical device, upon the result of action of which money or other valuable thing is staked or hazarded (…) is guilty of a misdemeanor.”
Assuming california regulates online gambling, the state constitution would likely include new excerpts that clear up the legality issue.
California fails to legalize online gaming
Several other states have already legalized online casinos.
However, california was one of the first states to consider internet-based gaming. The initial online poker bill was proposed in 2008.
Had this bill passed, california would’ve been four years ahead of any other state in legalizing online gaming. The 2008 legislation failed, though, like many other efforts throughout the past decade.
We mentioned that california’s size sets it up to be a lucrative online casino market. However, it also creates difficulties in passing legislation.
Licensed card rooms, tribes and racetracks all serve the state’s gambling needs. Each of these entities has its take on how a regulated online poker market should work.
The tribes, which earn billions annually from their casinos, are especially dragging their feet. They’re not interested in sharing revenue with card rooms and racetracks, nor do they want to upset the status quo.
Card rooms and horse tracks, on the other hand, won’t cede online poker to tribal casinos. They want to share in any revenue generated by poker sites.
This impasse spells doom, not only for online poker rooms, but also for online casinos. If the tribes are worried about poker upsetting their status as market leaders, they’re probably even more against casino sites.
Sweepstakes online casino – chumba casino
Chumba casino was one of the first sweepstakes sites that appeared on the US market in 2018. Players who purchase virtual currency from chumba are awarded sweepstakes tickets at a 1:1 rate, which is also maintained when you redeem them for cash. The site also runs a promotion that allows you to receive ten tickets for purchasing your first $5 bundle.
Chumba casino software is 100% browser-based, which makes it compatible with most modern computers and mobile devices. Its game library is relatively small, composed of 42 video slots (including four progressive jackpot games), one video poker game, and one blackjack game, but all the available titles were designed in-house and cannot be accessed via any other site.
While chumba games tend to be based on slots designed by well-established developers, they’re far from being cheap knock-offs. Their production value is top-notch, and the gameplay is smooth and satisfying.
What’s more, chumba’s blackjack is arguably one of the most newbie-friendly table games on the market at the moment as it comes with a show odds feature that allows you to check the odds of winning your hand if you opt to stand instead of hitting.
There is also a new sweeps based casino launched in 2019, lucky land slots is now available for california residents.
Social casino sites
Section 330 applies exclusively to real money games, which means that california residents are free to play on social casino sites such as slotomania, zynga, or big fish. While those sites are entertaining, we recommend playing on myvegas, which is a social platform operated by MGM, a company that also owns the MGM grand las vegas hotel & casino located in nevada.
The loyalty points accumulated by playing on myvegas can be exchanged for comps at MGM grand, which include free meals, retail items, and free hotel stays.
Can we look forward to legal CA online casinos?
No online gambling legislation has been introduced since 2017. The lack of a recent bill means that online gaming is currently a non-issue.
However, we shouldn’t take this as a sign that online poker or casino games will never be legal. A lot can happen within the next five to 10 years.
California gaming interests may see that other states, e.G., new jersey and pennsylvania, are earning lots of revenue from online casinos. All sides involved should then be more motivated to reach an agreement.
Of course, any gambling bill must pass the state legislature by a two-thirds majority vote. This rule only adds pessimism to internet-based casinos ever becoming a reality.
Politicians could be more willing to listen as they continue missing out on more tax dollars. This scenario, combined with more states regulating online gambling, might change the current sentiment in california.
What online casino gambling could we expect in california?
The golden state seems a way off from passing the long-discussed online poker legislation, let alone regulating casino games. However, legal online casinos are within the realm of possibility in california.
Here’s speculation on what CA gaming sites would feature.
California online slots
Slots would no doubt be the crown jewel of the golden state’s online casino market. After all, internet-based slots rule every other regulated casino gaming market.
New jersey provides an example of what to expect. Most of their operators feature hundreds of online slots, compared to dozens of table games.
California online casinos would likely be supplied by the same slots developers that cover the garden state: bally, high5, netent, nextgen and WMS are some of the most popular software providers in new jersey.
Table games
The slots selection dwarfs table games at most online casinos. However, these games are still popular in regulated markets.
Blackjack is always a favorite at gaming sites. New jersey features plenty of blackjack variations.
These variants range from micro-limit games (10 cents per hand) to side bets like crazy 7s and mega match. The house edges are relatively low, with one single-deck version featuring just a 0.26% house advantage.
Baccarat, craps, let it ride, pai gow poker, roulette and texas hold ’em bonus poker are some of the other available games.
Video poker
You can look forward to cheap video poker at CA online casinos in the future. Some regulated games feature a 5 cent denomination, versus the 25 cent denomination at land-based casinos.
Unfortunately, the return-to-player (RTP) percentage isn’t anything to deserve excitement. Jacks or better (99.54% RTP) is the only high-paying game available in legal markets now.
Several land-based california casinos offer a joker poker variation that delivers 99.92% RTP with perfect strategy. That said, you shouldn’t expect to be wowed by CA online video poker.
Live dealer gaming
Live dealer casinos feature real dealers and tables. They stream an authentic, land-based gambling experience straight to your smartphone or PC.
Live dealer games that are available in other states include baccarat, blackjack, casino hold ’em and roulette.
Live casinos are relatively new in regulated markets and will likely grow in the coming years.
Virtual sports
Virtual sports see you wager on 3D sporting events and horse races. For example, you might bet on a virtual tennis match between two generic players.
After placing your wager, you get to watch the 3D match play out. Results are determined by a random number generator (RNG), which takes historical sports data into account when determining the winning and losing bets.
How easy would it be to play at california online casinos?
Another hypothetical worth discussing is playing at CA gaming sites. California casinos would probably feature a similar playing process as the rest of the industry.
If you haven’t played at regulated sites, though, you may have questions about this process. Below, you can see the main aspects to consider with signing up and playing at CA casinos in the future.
PC vs. Mobile california casinos
Your experience should not dramatically change when moving from PC to mobile casinos, and vice versa. However, the two gaming types have their nuances.
A mobile site either requires you to download an app or play via your internet browser. The former involves installing the app on your phone or tablet.
Regulated gaming sites don’t offer downloadable software for PC or mac players. You automatically play through your browser with a desktop or laptop computer.
Account registration vs. No registration
You need to register for an account at any casino where you wish to deposit money. However, registration isn’t necessary if you want to play for free.
Some sites allow you to play before registering and becoming a member. All you need to do is choose the desired game and load it in your browser.
Other online casinos force you to register before playing free games. Luckily, this process only takes a few moments.
You need to supply the casino with simple information before submitting your account for approval. This includes basic details such as your name, address, email, gender and date of birth.
Making a deposit
Before joining an online casino, look at the banking section to ensure the site offers both a deposit and withdrawal option you can use.
If california ever legalizes online gaming, banking options won’t be in short supply. Many financial intermediaries will likely serve this market, including neteller, paypal, skrill, visa and mastercard.
Take advantage of california online casino bonuses
Internet-based casinos in states with legal online gaming offer excellent bonuses. California can expect the same if it regulates the activity.
These offers are favorable in both size and terms and conditions (T&cs). Deposit bonuses can be worth as much as a 100% match on your first deposit of up to $1,500.
T&cs are much lighter than what you can find in many other markets. Typically, you only need to wager your bonus 20x at regulated casinos, versus the 40x gaming industry standard.
Legal gaming sites exist in a highly competitive environment. They’re willing to offer generous bonus deals to entice new players.
California would be no different in this regard. Casinos in the golden state might feature even better deals thanks to the massive online casino gambling market.
What’s in store for the future?
The UIGEA includes an exception permitting the states to explicitly legalize online gambling, which is why it doesn’t apply to licensed gambling sites operating in nevada, new jersey, or delaware. California lawmakers haven’t made a serious attempt at legalizing online casino games as all their efforts have been concentrated on internet poker.
This prohibition was tested in the court by one of the casino-operating native californian tribes, the iipay nation of santa ysabel. The tribe launched a small bingo platform called desert rose bingo to test the waters before expanding its online operations to poker.
Desert rose bingo servers were located on reservation land, and the tribe argued that it had the right to offer its services over the internet under the compact signed with the state. Had the iipay nation of santa ysabel succeeded, it could have paved the way for native american casinos.
Unfortunately, the site was quickly subpoenaed, and in 2018, the tribe lost the legal battle to keep this project afloat in the ninth district court of appeals. The judge noted that while the argument pertaining to the tribe’s jurisdiction over gambling on tribal land had merit, the act of making a bet took place elsewhere and thus constituted a violation of UIGEA.
If a bingo site powered by servers located on native american land could be shut down by the california courts, then there’s no hope for any california-based business, tribal or non-tribal, to launch a casino site without an explicit legalization bill being put on the books.
Best california online casinos 2020
On this page, we’ve compiled an in-depth summary of the current state of online gambling in CA, touching on various topics from the legality of gambling in the state to current regulatory debates. We’ve also compiled a list of safe and secure online casinos for california residents that you can view below, which have all been in business for 10+ years with no issues. If you’re looking for a legal, safe, and trusted california online casinos, you’re in luck!
What are the top real money online casinos in california?
California is known for being a trendsetter when it comes to most industries in the united states. It’s no surprise that legalized online gambling in california has grown far ahead of many other locations in the united states.
Why these CA online casinos are the best
They offer legal, trusted gambling games to residents and visitors
The entire reason you’re probably here is to figure out which online casinos offer services to california residents. You’ve probably heard mixed answers about the legality of online gambling in california and, therefore, are not sure where you can and cannot play.
Because of that, the number one trait that makes california online casinos great is simply the fact that they offer services to california residents and visitors!
They offer games californians love to play
What good is an online casino if it doesn’t have the games that californians love to play? We’ll answer that question for you—it’s no good at all. The california online casinos that we’ve recommended offer an extremely wide variety of games, including favorites like blackjack, craps, roulette, three card poker, keno, slot machines, pai gow, sic bo, and more! If you’re looking for an easy way to play your favorite gambling games for real money in california, check out one of the recommended online casinos from the up-to-date list at the top of the page.
They have banking options that work fast
Not every banking option works everywhere in the world. There are specific banking options that work better and faster for california residents. When we’re analyzing the quality of california online casinos, we ensure that they have several high-quality online casino banking options that work great for californians.
While we don’t need tons of options, we do want to see at least a couple of great deposit options and a couple of great withdrawal options. You’re only going to need one, but we want options just so you have a better chance of seeing an option that is a great fit for you.
The ultimate in convenience
The entire point of using online casino sites is to provide convenience. California is an extremely spread out state in some areas, which means you may be hundreds of miles from the closest land-based casino. Additionally, that land-based casino might not offer the games you want to play. This is where online casinos come in. The idea of an online casino is to solve these problems and bring convenience to players across the state.
But this convenience goes away if the online gambling site doesn’t set things up properly. It should be super simple for you to create an account, make a deposit, find the games you like, play, and withdraw your winnings. If any of these things aren’t super simple, we’re not interested in the site and you won’t see those california online casinos recommended on this page.
Is online gambling legal in california?
These days, the united states is one of the more confusing countries in the world when it comes to online gambling laws, with dozens of states having different rules and nuances of how they treat the topic. When it comes to california, it is perhaps the unique exception. There are currently no specific regulations that explicitly prohibit online gambling for residents of the state.
Because of this, californians have little worry when it comes to playing online casino games, and currently, there are a number of trustworthy sites offering online casino games, sports betting, and poker across the state.
Unlike the state lottery, casinos that operate online are not subject to any sort of government scrutiny and, in many ways, can operate without fear of legal ramifications. For this reason, many bills have been proposed with the end goal of legalizing and regulating the online casino industry in the state.
Up to this point, however, any and all legislation aimed at legalizing and regulating online casinos has either stalled or has been flat-out rejected.
What does this mean for you?
There are two important takeaways you should get from this. One, it is not illegal for you to gamble online in california. You are free to play the games you want for real money without fear of negative repercussions. Two, the market is unregulated, which means that you will not have some of the added protections and oversight you would get in a regulated market.
This makes it that much more important that you choose to gamble online in california. The good news for you is that casinos make a lot of money. For them to continue making money, they have to continue having happy customers that are getting the entertainment value they desire. If they are not operating reputably and taking care of their customers, word will get out, and their cash cow is going to dry up. This places a huge incentive for online casinos in california to do things the right way as if they were being regulated.
Still, not every online casino follows that mindset. There are some california online casinos that only look at the short term and don’t care about their long-term sustainability. Because of this, it is also important that you take advantage of resources like this site to help you determine where the best casinos online are. If you want to ensure you’re betting with one of these reputable sites, stick to the recommended list we’ve provided at the top of the page.
The future of online gambling in california
Despite what has been a mostly fruitless endeavor up to this point, experts believe that california is one of the next states that will establish legalized intrastate online casinos. Each year, it seems as though a larger number of bills for the complete and total legalization and regulation of online casinos gets put into circulation.
It is only a matter of time until one of them is signed into law. With that being said, online gambling sites are what many would consider to be the least of california’s governmental problems. With almost constant drought, severe debt, and many other issues on hand, it becomes difficult for activists to convince politicians and voters alike that establishing an online casino network is something that should be done soon. Many efforts have been made, and only few have succeeded.
The fact that the california government does not oversee them does not mean that the california online casinos which offer their games are not trustworthy. These casinos are regulated abroad and most are very reliable; you just have to sign up with time-tested ones with stellar reputations. To help you with choosing a legal CA online casino to play at, we have reviewed and researched dozens and recommend the best online casinos for california residents at the top of the page.
Legal status of brick and mortar casinos — california
In california, there are plenty of brick-and-mortar locations all over the state. One thing that all of these casinos have in common, however, is that they are all native american-run and almost always located on native american land. This sounds like a rather conservative policy for an otherwise liberal state, but the wider scope of gambling and casinos in california is not as restrictive as it may first appear. Of course, this all depends on where you reside in the united states.
The land-based casinos in california usually offer all the classic favorites such as slots, roulette, keno, baccarat, blackjack and the like.
Card rooms—as they are known in california—number in the tens of dozens and seem to be growing in number all the time. Poker is the dominant offering of california’s card rooms, however, blackjack variants and other more obscure games can be found being played as well. Basically, so long as the game is centered around playing cards, the rule of thumb is that it can likely be found at a card room. Naturally, some card rooms are better than others, and thus, the offering of one card room is never equal to that of another.
Additionally, if you play non-poker, gambling-type games in one of these card rooms, you’ll notice that the “bank” or who you are playing against will actually be another player at the table who is being paid to be there. It’s a confusing system and clearly a workaround for the state laws, but the outcome is the same. You are able to play your favorite games without fear of negative repercussions.
There are brick and mortar, native american-run casinos all over the state, however, online gambling is still the easiest way to play any and all casino games at any time of day. When it comes down to it, someone who is looking to play casino games in california will either have to do so at CA online casinos or on native american land. As you might have guessed, this predicament means that online casino play in california is quite widespread. It’s this common knowledge that is driving the push to legalize and regulate real money online casinos.
In recent years, pro-casino activists have lobbied politicians to promote and/or vote for bills to expand the way in which californians can gamble at brick-and-mortar sites, but most of those efforts have so far been for naught. This is interesting, too, because california is historically one of the more liberal states in the country. Some of the largest land-based casinos currently operating in california include the following:
Local california land based casinos
| casino | address | phone |
|---|---|---|
| pechanga resort & casino | 45000 pechanga parkway | (877) 7112-WIN |
| cache creek casino | 14455 CA-16 | (800) 452-8181 |
| san manuel casino | 777 san manuel blvd | (800) 359-2464 |
| thunder valley casino | 1200 athens avenue | (916) 408-7777 |
| viejas casino & turf club | 5000 willows road | (800) 847-6537 |
| morongo casino resort | 49750 seminole drive | (800) 252-4499 |
| pala casino resort | 11154 highway 76 | (877) 946-7252 |
| red hawk casino | 1 red hawk boulevard | (888) 573-3495 |
| barona casino & resort | 1932 wildcat canyon rd | (888) 722-7662 |
| table mountain casino | 8184 table mountain rd | (800) 541-3637 |
California online casinos and gambling FAQ
- Abbreviation: CA
- State motto: eureka
- Capital city: sacramento
- Population estimate: 39.5 million (1st)
- Website: https://www.Ca.Gov/
Most notably, the online casinos we recommend for california residents have all been operating for many years and have strong reputations to defend. In case of issues, they will resolve them immediately so that their stellar reputations are not sullied. These online casinos also use time-tested technology and reputable casino games, therefore, you can be sure that if you decide to make a deposit in one of these casinos, your depositing process will be safe and secure and the games you will play will be fair and give you an honest chance to win money!
Guide to online casinos in california: the best california casino sites for 2020
On this page we take a detailed look at the capacity and legality of california online casinos. The current legal situation is one of the least defined out of all jurisdictions in the united states. California is a unique exception as gambling online is not yet legal, yet there is no law that explicitly prohibits online gambling for residents of the state. The important details that result from this ambiguity in the law are; gambling online in california is free to play and you will not receive any negative repercussions. Secondly, due to the absence of a clearly defined legal framework, the industry is unregulated and without the player protections that you can expect in a regulated gambling state.
- We use trusted sources such as: the los angeles times and the NBC bay areato stay on top of all industry related news and developments.
- Our team of experts is well-acquainted with the entire gambling industry including specific casino games such as roulette and have created an online slots guide.
- We regularly review the latest legal advancements in the state, and closely monitor the progress of bill SB1485 at the california state legislature and the california gambling control commission in sacramento.
- Los angeles
- NBC
- California legislature
- California gambling control
Available casino games in california
The wealth of casino games available to state residents is somewhat surprising given the lack of a well-defined state regulator. In california you’re free to access online casinos offering roulette, slots, blackjack, poker and state lottery. Despite online casinos not being completely legal, there are many online gambling operators that accept players residing in the state of california.
- Roulette: available in both european and USA format.
- Slots: enjoy a wide range of high-quality slot games.
- Blackjack: one of the most popular card games in california.
- Poker: is due to receive full state legalization imminently.
- State lottery: can be played online or in local vendors.
Biggest state land-based casinos
Despite the impediment of the state senate to introduce legislation for california online casinos, there are indeed many licensed land-based casinos all over the state. These venues allow residents to enjoy a whole plethora of casino games, slot machines and sports betting facilities under one roof. With online casinos being fully accessible to californians the vast majority of gambling is conducted online; leading to calls for an increase in the way customers can gamble with state licensed land-based casinos. In a state that is considered strongly liberal, it is surprising to see how stalled the legalization process has become.
- Pechanga resort & casino: 45000 pechanga parkway, CA
- Thunder valley casino: 1200 athens avenue, CA
- Table mountain casino: 8184 table mountain rd, CA
- Barona casino & resort: 1932 wildcat canyon rd, CA
- Pala casino resort: 11154 highway 76, CA
History of casino gambling in california
The state of california is one that has a long and vibrant history with gambling. Prospectors back in the 1800’s following the californian gold rush took a huge gamble to travel across the country in search of riches – and many were known to gamble in the notorious card rooms. Nowadays, focused efforts are being made to legalize online gambling. More information can be gathered from our california gambling page. Meanwhile you can follow the history timeline below for a succinct resume of the important events.
| year | event |
|---|---|
| 1984 | california takes steps to legislate the vibrant card rooms industry which up until 1984 had largely been in a legal grey area. Formalizing these into a legal framework gave legitimacy to gaming entities that had existed since the gold rush. |
| 2001 | the turn of the century saw a shift in political attitudes, shifting from a deeply liberal agenda toward a conservative policy of granting native american communities an exclusive monopoly on land-based casinos. In 2001 the first land-based casinos were established in the state, all of which were exclusively owned by native americans. |
| 2007 | the heartstrings were targeted in 2007 as gambling legalization advocates rammed through an agreement that made poker games raising money for charitable causes exempt from federal legal blocks. This ultimately has been further bolstered by the pending bill SB1485 to fully legalize the popular card game. |
| 2012 | the bill falters after 2 years in the state house as lawmakers fail to agree on details of the new regulation. The societal impact on native americas who rely on their exclusive monopoly rights to poker gambling to raise capital is proving to be an extremely divisive and contentious issue. |
| 2018 | in the wake of the watershed 2018 supreme court decision to strike down the ban on sports gambling in the US, there is an active effort to reach a unilateral agreement in the californian state government to launch a fully regulated online gambling industry. The advocates cite increased tax revenues and free-market principals as core reasons for the move towards online gambling legalization. |
Casino gambling age in california
The issue of minors accessing gambling products is one of the major bottleneck points in the current debate in the california state legislature. In land-based casinos within the californian state it is possible to enter the premises at 18 years old. Although, this remains a minority, and the majority of land-based casinos will demand 21 years old as the minimum age for the clientele.
California casinos online
Find the best california casinos. Playslots4realmoney.Com has a great list below. The california casino sites accept people from the golden state. They allow people in the U.S. To play online slots real money with bitcoin and credit cards.
Best california casinos online
| rank | casino | rating | bonus | review | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | slotocash casino | $7777 | review | |
| 2 |  | las vegas USA casino | $10000 | review | |
| 3 | jackpot capital casino | $1000 | review | ||
| 4 | slotastic casino | $500 | review | ||
| 5 |  | vegas crest casino | $2510 | review | |
Latest california casino news
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Large slot machine jackpots are a big reason why this is such a popular form of real money gambling. Some of those progressive jackpots reach six to seven figures to.
First 25 native american indian casinos in california
1) 500 club hotel 771 W shaw, california.
2) agua caliente resort 32-250 BH drive, california.
3) augustine palace avenue 54, 84-001, coachella.
4) artichoke joe’s resort 659 huntington ave.
5) viejas resort 5000 willows rd in alpine.
6) win-river hotels 2100 redding rd.
7) valley view 16300 nyemii palace valley center.
8) barona resort 1932 wildcat rd lakeside.
9) barstow palace interstate 15 barstow.
10) bankers resorts 111 monterey st salinas.
11) aviator hotels 1225 airport drive in delano.
12) blue lake palaces 777 casino way in blue lake.
13) black oak resort 19400 tuolumne rd.
14) bicycle hotels 7301 eastern av. Bell gardens.
15) turlock poker room 2321-C west main-street.
16) towers palace 115 bank street.
17) twin pine resorts 22223 california middletown 29.
18) thunder valley station resort 1200 athens av. Lincoln.
19) tachi palace 17225 jersey avenue.
20) tortoise rock palace 73829 base line rd.
21) cache creek clubs 14455 california 16.
22) buenavue club buena vista.
23) cahuilla hotel 52702 highway 37.
24) capitol resort 411 16th st sacramento.
25) cameo club 552 west benjamin drive.
26-50 california casinos
26) california grand club 5988 pacheco boulevard.
27) stones gambling hall 6510 antelope road.
28) table mountain clubs 8184 table mountain rd.
29) sycuan clubs 5469 casino way.
30) carnival dream clarence henry truckway.
31) carnival inspirational resort 231 windsor way.
32) carnival imagination hotel 231 windsor way.
33) carnival miracle 231 windsor way.
34) casino matrix 1887 matrix boulevard SJ.
35) 99 chico 175 E 20th street, chico.
36) monterey 204 carmel avenue.
37) stars club 775 west clover rd.
38) spotlight 29 hotel 46200 harrison palace.
39) river rock 3250 highway 128.
40) red fox 200 cahto drive.
41) red hawk poker room 1 red hawk placerville.
42) robinson rancheria 1545 state 20 highway.
43) pauma 777 pauma reservation rd.
44) casinos sandlot amador creek road.
45) casinos real 1355 north’s main street.
46) cher-ae-heights gaming facility 27 scenic drive.
47) spa resort01 east amado rd.
48) mile chula vista in CA.
49) soboba club 23333 soboba road.
50 through 75
50) shamrock card room 125 west 11th st
51) rolling hills club 2655 barham avenue
52) san manuel bingo 777 san manuel.
53) running creek card room 635 state 20 highway.
54) san pablo lytton resort 13255 san pablo ave.
55) seabourn odyssey resort 100 swinford st.
56) cloverdale rancheria resort asti road cloverdale.
57) chukchansi gold lounge 711 lucky lane.
58) chumash palace 3400 east 246 highway.
59) club one gaming facility 1033 van ness ave.
60) rogelio’s dine resorts 34 main street.
61) rain rock card room sharps road yreka.
62) rancho’s club 10499 folsom boulevard.
63) commerce betting parlor 6131 east telegraph rd.
64) coyote valley 7751 north state st.
65) colusa poker room 3770 highway 45.
66) desert rose lounge 901 county 56 road.
67) crystal poker room 123 east artesia.
68) deuce lounge 30435 road 68.
69) delta hotels 6518 pacific avenue.
70) quechan lounges 525 algodones road.
71) princess cruises star and island princess 3011 miner street.
72) eagle mountain lounge 681 south reservation rd.
73) diamond mountain hotels 900 skyline road.
74) diamond jim’s poker room 118 20th street WR.
75) fantasy springs resort 84245 indio springs dr.
76) elk valley palaces 2500 howland hill rd.
77) empire sportsmen’s association 5001 mchenry avenue.
78) poker flats hotels 1714 martin L. King jr way.
79) princess cruises the embarcadero SF.
80) princess cruises coral 3011 miner street.
81) feather falls 3 alverda drive.
82) garcia river 22215 windy hollow rd.
83) FLB entertainment center 511 east bidwell st.
84) golden acorn 1800 golden acorn wy.
85) gold county 4020 olive highway.
86) gardens casino 11871 east carson st.
87) garlic city 40 hornlein court.
88) graton resort 288 golf course dr.
89) golden west gambling den 1001 south union.
90) harrah’s resort 777 harrah’s rincon wy.
91) holland america 137 harbor drive.
92) holland america cruise 1140 N harbor.
93) havasu landing resort 1 main street.
94) hollywood park palaces 3883 west century bl.
95) hollywood resort jamul 14145 campo road.
96) holland america cruise 1875 harbor island dr.
97) pit river 20265 tamarack avenue.
98) pechanga resort 45000 pechanga parkway.
99) players 6580 auto center dr.
100 -125 cailifornia casinos
100) jackson rancheria casino 12222 NY ranch road.
101) hopland sho-kawah casino 13101 nokomis road.
102) king’s card club 6111 north west.
103) parkwest 1800 south cherokee.
104) paso robles hotel 1124 black oak dr.
105) parkwest sonoma 5151 montero way.
106) parkwest resort cordova 2801 prospect park dr.
107) parkwest poker room 580 968 north canyon.
108) palace 22821 mission boulevard.
109) lake elsinore resorts 20930 malaga road.
110) konocti vista resort 2755 mission rancheria rd.
111) larry flynt’s club 1024 west rosecrans.
112) pala resort 11154 highway 76.
113) oceanview palace 700 pacific avenue.
114) paiute palace 2742 N. Sierra highway.
115) limelight cardroom 1014 alhambra.
116) lotus lounge 6010 stockton blvd.
117) livermore 3571 1st street.
118) lucky 7 resort 350 north indian rd.
119) lucky lady 5526 el cajon.
120) lucky chances 1700 hillside blvd.
121) lucky bear highway 96 shopping center.
122) ocean’s eleven casino 121 brooks street.
123) oaks card club 4097 san pablo ave.
124) oceania cruises regatta 3011 miner street.
125) morongo resort 49500 seminole drive.
126) marysville 515 4th street.
127) merced poker room 1445 M.L. King jr way.
128) north fork rancheria hotels state route 99 avenue 17.
129) nineteenth hole palace 2747 west tregallas rd.
130) napa valley resorts 3466 broadway street.
Is internet gambling legal in california?
Do you live in california? Have fun with online slot machines for real money on the go. Use recommended best virtual real money california casinos. Do you live outside of california? United states residents can find a casino by state section. Everyone should consult an attorney. Do you have questions about the online gambling legalities? We do not offer legal advice.
We have a goal, which is to review and rate no download slots casinos. We make sure cali citizens can play vegas slots for real money or on there go. Have people emailed us after they spoke with their attorney? Yes, but we don’t know why. They have told us that after they talked to their attorneys to receive legal advice. Some say that it is legal to play casino games from the golden state. While others have said differently.
California casinos where you can play the best video slots for real money
Las vegas is a great place to play online slot machines for real money. Their online casino accepts el dorado states residents. Use our links to sign up for las vegas. Claim your above average bonus.
The folks that live in CA can gamble online with up to $10,000 in free cash over their first several deposits. Remember that bonuses based on many different factors. Enjoy internet slots for real money or on there go on tablets. Take out your mobile smartphone and spin the reels. Get the biggest and best el dorado state real money gambling bonus.
Watch this video
Another thing to take into consideration is that your bonus amount depends on how much you are depositing and in some cases what method you are using to make deposits and withdrawals to play free slots for real money on the internet at the el dorado state real money legal gambling sites.
If you are interested in finding out what the best native american betting parlors are in the golden state, you can quickly read more in our latest article over here.
California state facts
First of all, the capital of the state of is sacrament. Above all, CA is the third largest state in the united states of america. Most importantly, there are over one hundred fifty thousand square miles in CA. Most noteworthy, the population is over thirty-seven million. Also, california has the nickname “the golden state, ”. Hence, the gold rush. Fresno, san francisco, san diego, san jose, and los angeles and the largest cities in california.
The states that surround the golden state are nevada, oregon to the north and arizona.
Find local california casinos
Native americans own most of the local the golden states land gambling casinos. The el dorado is a large state and has several gambling casinos where people can drive to play the best slots for real money.
The graton resort is one of the best gambling casinos. It features table games, video, and classic slot machines and a variety of other entertainment. The graton resort and casino located at 288 golf course drive west in rohnert par california. They can be contacted by phone at (707) 588-7100.
California online casinos - an inside look at the golden state's casino gambling industry
This guide will provide you with a look at the available brick and mortar casinos within the state that you can travel to when looking to experience casino games in person as well as licensed online casinos that accept california players.
Our objective for this guide is to provide residents with helpful data that will allow you to make informed decisions about your participation in gambling entertainment. One thing that you should keep in mind is that all of the online casinos that are recommended within this guide accept players from california.
You will also be happy to note that these casinos have been vetted by professional gambling analysts to ensure that they are legal, secure and reputable, providing a worry free and enjoyable online gaming environment.
Top rated online casino for california players
Bovada casino is our top recommended california online casino for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- Welcome bonus worth up to $3000
- Caters exclusively to USA players
- Owned and operated by the bodog brand, licensed by the kahnawake gaming commission
- Also offers a great mobile casino app for playing casino games from your smartphone or tablet
- All california players accepted
Top online california casinos
| Site | bonusrating | visit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| bovada casino | 100% up to $3000 | 4.7 /5 | visit site |
| slots.Lv | 100% up to $5000 | 4.6 /5 | visit site |
| las vegas USA | 150% up to $3000 | 4.3 /5 | visit site |
| lucky red | 400% up to $4000 | 4.3 /5 | visit site |
| vegas casino | 150% up to $3000 | 4.1 /5 | visit site |
Brick and mortar casinos in california
We have included a section in this guide that will allow you to locate and identify the most pertinent information in regards to reputable land based casinos in california. This also extends to the casinos owned by the state's indian tribes for a nice overview of indian casinos in california, impressive destinations that rival those found in las vegas.
The state of california offers some really nice resources to players seeking a physical casino gambling experience, and this section will give you some idea of what is out there and what the various casino in the state have to offer.
Is online casino gambling legal in california?
At this time, there are not any state licensed online casinos available to residents or visitors of california. It is currently illegal to own or operate an online casino within the state. This does not eliminate your playing options however.
There are not any state or federal laws that prohibit california residents from playing at regulated online casinos that are not based within the united states, thereby ensuring that california players have access to numerous legal and secure online casino gambling destinations.
That being said, 2015 is a year to keep an eye on if you live in california, as the state regulation of online poker gambling is set to be looked at once again sometime in 2015, which could eventually lead to online casinos being based directly in california.
To assist you in understanding the legality of online and offline casino gambling in the golden state, we have included a california gambling laws section that provides some in depth explanations concerning the legal status of casino gambling in the state.
Are there legal california online casinos that are safe to play at?
This guide has been crafted for california players to gain an in-depth understanding about the legal california online casinos that players have access to. These online casinos have been meticulously evaluated and have been approved for placement within this guide using an intense review process executed by a team of industry professionals with a great deal of experience in the online gambling arena.
Each online casino accepting california players that you see listed on this site is legally licensed and subject to strict regulatory oversight, offers a high-quality gaming experience, and employs an advanced security profile that will protect each player's financial information, as well as their identity.
This protection is provided through sophisticated data encryption technology, fraud prevention systems, as well as firewall and antivirus protection. These systems are monitored by a technical team located onsite at the online casino's base of operations. This will allow you to play whenever you want to without the constant worry of whether or not your information is safe. For further information see our online casinos review guide that details the best online casinos available to california residents
Online casinos games available to california players
The myriad of online casinos in this guide have earned their placement in part due to their vast game selection and strong technical performance, as well as the fact that users can play the more popular brick and mortar casino games directly online.
However, because the online casino experience offers a different type of environment to players, we felt it prudent to create a section of our guide dedicated to covering the different types of games that are present at california online casinos. You will find information on slots, roulette, blackjack, video poker and baccarat in our section that discusses california online casino games.
Gambling resources available to california residents
California residents have access to a strong selection of gambling resources that could prove useful for a number of reasons. Whether you are looking for information pertaining to the regulatory bodies that govern the gambling industry, assistance for gambling issues that might arise or access to all of the latest news headlines and articles about gambling in california, we want to make sure that all of it is right here for you.
We have included a section of this guide that will list the various gambling resources that the state has made available to its residents: to access this information, just check out our page on california gambling resources.
Legal online casinos & online gambling
Online casinos are legal in most parts of the world. Many world governments have written laws specifically addressing the legalities of online gambling; others like the united states depend heavily on state law and an existing legal vacuum to keep online gambling in check. The legality of an online casino has something to do with that casino’s proper operations and something to do with the legality of online gambling where you live. Finding legal online casinos isn’t hard, you just have to know what you’re looking for and shop around a little.
Comparing legal online casinos is a matter of first finding out if casino gambling online is legal where you live, then doing a little bit of work browsing online casino sites and comparing their features.
Our list of licensed and legal casinos for 2020
How to find legal online casinos
If you’re shopping around for a legal online casino, a place to play online slots or casino table games, there are a few things to consider. Your first concern should be finding a legitimate casino that operates legally and pays out winnings fairly. Once you’ve found a few legal online casinos, other factors become important. Here are two questions that should help you find a good legal online casino.
Does this casino have a good reputation?
You don’t have to ask yourself this question with some of the bigger names in the online gaming industry. A big casino gambling site like bet365 or betsson that has been accepting wagers since long before they launched a website, is obviously a legitimate business, sometimes even a household name.
If an online casino is operated by a publicly-traded company, displays valid gaming licenses prominently on their website, and does not bring up a ton of red flags when you google the name, it is probably a site with a good reputation.
Not all casino sites have the same experience in the casino business, and you’ll need to test their reputation on your own. Again, browsing around the website and reading online reviews should tell you enough to know if the site is legit or not. You want to see gaming licenses and auditing certificates posted prominently on the site along with an active customer service department. Online casino gambling forums are also good sources for information about fraudulent or illegal online casinos.
Does this casino accept wagers from citizens of my country?
Remember that online gaming laws vary from country to country and region to region. The result is that not every online casino is able to do business with people from all over the planet. Depending on the gambling laws in the country where you live, you may find a number of sites that simply don’t offer gambling to people from your country.
The best example of this comes to us from north america; people living in the USA and canada have had the doors of many online casinos shut in their faces, thanks to tighter regulation of online gambling and rumors of future legislation against online casinos operating in the US or canada. To find out if players from your country are restricted, check the site’s FAQ page or contact customer service.
Are all online casinos legal?
Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer to this question. Federal and local laws exist all over the world that restrict online casino gambling, while other governments explicitly state that online casino gambling is legal; some even tax and regulate online casino play to raise revenue. The worldwide legal status of online gambling is too much to take all at once, so concentrate instead on gambling laws where you live.
To figure out if there are laws against online gambling in your country, state, or region, you’ll need to spend a little time researching. It doesn’t matter where you get information about the legality of gambling online, just that the information is accurate. A few websites have popped up directly addressing the legality of online gambling in different parts of the world, and the best of these provide sources for their information.
Sometimes you’ll luck out and find out about the legal status of gambling where you live through a gambling website. Try to access an online casino site from a restricted country and you’re likely to see a pop-up explaining that citizens of your country aren’t allowed to gamble for real money at that particular site. Restricted access to online casinos is not always due to laws against online gambling; american gamblers are shut out of many online casinos because the casino chose to avoid future legal problems, fearing new laws in america to make online gambling illegal. It’s confusing, but any industry that does business with hundreds of different countries and legal traditions is bound to be confusing. If you live in the united states, you might be interested in our laws section, which reviews the current legal status of gambling within each state. This includes colorado, hawaii, new jersey, delaware, nebraska, and new hampshire – among others.
If all else fails and you’re still not sure if online casino gambling is legal in your area, your best bet is to consult a legal professional. If you can’t figure out from other sources if there are laws against playing at online casino sites, it’s best to avoid potential legal troubles by talking to a lawyer.
A final tip when hunting down legal online casinos: contact a casino’s customer service department and ask them all your legal questions. Online casinos make customer service available for a reason: they want to answer your questions about the casino’s website site, help you with banking or gameplay problems, and assist potential customers in figuring out if their casino is a good fit. Any decent online casino site will post contact information clearly, usually under a tab like “contact us.”
If the online casino you’re researching has a live chat program, where you use something similar to an instant messenger service to talk to customer support staff, you’re in luck. Talking to customer service about the legality of the site for people in your country using live chat is the fastest and easiest way to get an answer to your question. Talking to a casino site’s customer service team gives you the chance to find out if your country is restricted and to ask any other questions you have. Use this opportunity to test the services offered, including how long you have to wait for an answer and the amount of knowledge the support staff has. A good customer service staff at your online casino is invaluable.
Legal online gambling for california residents
With such a large population, legal online gambling for california residents represents an enormous market share. California is one of the more progressive states when it comes to online gambling, with locals partaking in all types of popular gambling. In terms of regulation, california has taken greater strides than just about any other state. Several bills have gone through the state assembly, but none have actually emerged. The tribal entities in the state, as well as opponents to gambling on a whole, have blocked most attempts at actually regulating gambling.
In spite of their efforts to stop a regulatory body from being created, there are still a handful of gambling sites that accept residents of california. Our primary objective here is to show you some insight about the legalities of online gambling in california, as we want to clear the air of any misconceptions you may have.
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Online gambling age for california residents
As with many states, gambling in california is subject to a variety of different gambling age limitations. California is somewhat more confusing than some other states due to the fact that the state has set the bar lower than what some casinos will follow. What this means is that the state only requires residents to be 18 before they can engage in most forms of gambling, though the gambling business itself may have a higher requirement. In the event that this higher requirement is in place, it actually supersedes the state law. For land-based casinos and poker rooms, the age can be either 18 or 21. The same goes for online casinos and poker rooms. Playing bingo, the lottery and dog/horse races also requires you to be only 18. Online sports betting has a firm 21 year limit on the age requirement. Remember to check the minimum age required by your preferred gambling location, as this could be higher than your state's requirements.
California online gambling laws
The online gambling laws in california are, as of now, nonexistent. There has yet to be a law written specifically covering online gambling. The state statutes reflect no ban on online gambling as far as we can tell, which is why it is generally understood that there are no penalties for online gambling. That having been said, PASPA has recently been repealed and it is possible that online sports betting could come to california in the upcoming years. If it continues in the footsteps of other states, california will likely regulate land-based, mobile, and online gambling. If you want to take a look for yourself at the current general laws, browse through title 9, chapter 10, of the california penal code
California gambling taxes
Unfortunately, you are supposed to pay taxes on all income that comes in, and that includes paying taxes from online gambling revenue in california. With that being said, right now there is no regulation for online gambling in california, so they really have no way of knowing that you brought the money in. The best thing you can do if you want to follow the law (which we suggest) is to pay taxes on all profits that you earn for the year.
Gambling sites that accept california residents
When we started looking into the industry of legal USA online gambling, we had looked into quite a few different online gambling sites that accept residents from california. With such a large population, indeed a fairly wide reach of gamblers, it would be silly to overlook such an extensive market. We have only brought the best sites available into our list, as player protection is one of our primary purposes.
Bovada: bet on all california teams
California residents can join bovada today and get in on the great casino, sports betting, and poker action for free. As long as you are over 18, you can sign up. Simply head to bovada.Lv and click on the grey вђњjoin nowвђќ button. You will then fill out some rudimentary contact information along with an email and password, and you will be off to the races. Go to bovada!
Betonline: NFL in game betting on your phone
Is online casino legal in california
Bovada is our preferred brand for US friendly online casino gambling. They offer a generous welcome bonus that is worth up to $3,000 free to play both slots and table games.
All in all, they are an excellent choice for any casino player looking to play with the biggest and most reputable USA friendly brands around. Their payouts are processed fast and efficiently, and they deliver an overall exceptional online gambling experience.
- US friendly
- Bovada casino accepts players from most US states
- Owned and operated by the bodog network
- Successfully supports US credit card deposits
- Accepts multiple forms of cryptocurrency such as bitcoin and bitcoin cash
- Fast and reliable payouts guaranteed
- Generous $3,000 sign up bonus
- Mobile friendly games
- Most trusted and reputable USA online casino
- They only accept U.S., mexico and brazil players - no other countries allowed
- Excluded states: NV, NJ, DE, MD
Legal online casinos open to all USA players
| Site | review | bonus offer | USA | visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | read review | 200% max $1,000 | play now | |
 | read review | 100% max $1,000 | play now | |
 | read review | 500% max $5,000 | play now | |
| read review | 300% max $9,000 | play now | ||
| read review | 200% max $20,000 | play now | ||
| read review | 200% max $10,000 | play now |
Online casino regulation and legality
Online casino gambling made its debut in the early 1990s, and the industry has been booming ever since. The current legal online gambling climate differs from country to country. In the united states, it can even differ from state to state while in countries outside of the US, legal online casino gambling is prevalent and welcomed.
In the US, only a handful of states have actually authorized state-regulated online casino gambling, including nevada, delaware, and new jersey, who were the first to do so. There are also several other states which have adopted friendly and legal state-based online gambling legislation for their residents and visitors. Additional states are in the process of creating or passing legislation to allow them to enter the domestic online casino market in the united states.
There are still restrictions that come into play, but by and large, united states citizens without access to state-sponsored US internet casinos can still legally enjoy the web's version of the physical las vegas experience by playing at legitimate and legally licensed offshore casinos. There are no federal laws prohibiting offshore online casino gaming.
Online casino betting legality is, however, a frequently changing picture as we've seen through the state-licensed online gambling platforms that are emerging. The FAQ section below will address a host of elements concerning the online casino gambling industry as it pertains to USA players to ensure that american residents have all the information they need to make informed decisions regarding their involvement in real money casino gambling on the internet.
Frequently asked questions about legal USA online casinos
The following information addresses the most commonly asked questions concerning legal online casino gambling in the U.S. We attempted to answer them all with thoughtful, in-depth answers to leave no room for misunderstanding the concepts associated with the online gambling industry and your options as a USA player.
Are online casinos legal in the united states?
In a nutshell, there is nothing at all illegal about playing at an online casino if you live in the united states. Prohibitions in US federal laws have historically targeted those seeking to operate an online casino within the united states, and until 2011 when the DOJ re-interpreted the reach of the federal wire act, nobody was allowed to do so. It has never been illegal to access or play real money games at an offshore online casino that is operating legally within its residing jurisdiction and the industry as a whole.
There are two states that do prohibit online gambling in general, regardless of its source, those being connecticut and washington. Though the restrictions are not enforced in these two states, we suggest players in those states follow the rule of law.
As mentioned above, there are multiple US states that have launched a state-licensed and regulated online casino gambling platform for their residents. Players who are located within those states have access to state-sanctioned online gambling. Anybody located outside of those regions must either rely on land-based gambling destinations or consider visiting legally licensed and regulated offshore casino websites.
What laws pertain to online casino gambling in america?
The UIGEA law does not prohibit US residents from participating in gambling at legitimate online casinos that are regulated and located outside of america. In fact, the unlawful internet gambling enforcement act is not directed at players at all but rather targets online casino operators and payment processors, administering regulatory oversight regarding how online gambling transactions can be processed.
There are no federal laws that make it illegal for U.S. Residents to participate in offshore online casino gambling at destinations that are operating within the industry legitimately, meaning they are legally licensed and regulated by a respected governing jurisdiction or they are owned and operated by a parent company that holds licensing credentials for one or more jurisdictions. Therefore you are not violating any US laws by enjoying real money casino gambling on the web as long as you are restricting your gameplay to legitimate websites.
What is the legal online gambling age in the US?
This is one instance where state law takes the driver's spot. Most american friendly online casinos accept players as young as 18 years old. However, most states mandate that players meet a minimum age requirement of 21 years old before they can legally engage in gambling entertainment. The laws in your state will dictate the legal age at which you may access legal online casino destinations.
Players who live in a state without an established gambling age cannot gamble online at a reputable online casino prior to turning 18. Anyone participating in underage gambling is subject to criminal prosecution by state or local law enforcement. The legal gambling age in the united states varies by state.
Are online casinos located offshore safe?
As long as you restrict your involvement to only those casino websites that have been verified to be legally licensed and regulated by a legitimate governing jurisdiction, then yes, enjoying online casino games online is perfectly safe. If you waiver on legitimacy even slightly, you risk landing at a dangerous, questionable or low quality casino destination. The sites we recommend are audited for fair gaming practices by third party agencies.
Each of the casinos you see recommended in this guide have been vetted by our team of professional analysts to ensure they hold legitimate licensing (or are owned and operated by a parent company that does) and are subject to genuine regulatory oversight from a respected governing authority.
We also closely examine their security protocols and technology to ensure that any brand included in our guide is able to adequately protect your sensitive data. In order to be considered for inclusion here, each casino must employ a security profile that exceeds licensing requirements and industry standards to provide protection that is comparable to world-class financial institutions.
What types of games will I find at US friendly online casinos?
The online casinos recommended in this guide all provide a substantial selection of casino games in their menu. Flash technology, cutting-edge 3-D graphics, video, and animation mean very realistic vegas style versions of popular casino games like slots, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, video poker, let it ride, keno, and craps. You will find that some of these casinos also offer additional platforms, such as sports betting, horse racing, esports and poker.
Am I required to download software in order to play real money casino games online?
Most reputable online casinos offer an option for instant play casino games or a downloadable suite of casino games. In some cases the downloadable option provides an expanded selection of games and features, however, I personally use the instant play casino games option more often than not, and I've never been disappointed with the performance or selection. Downloadable games are becoming fewer and far between as technology advances.
All of our recommended gambling destinations also offer a mobile casino app to play their games from your smartphone or tablet, and 99% of the casinos do not require a download of any kind in order to access and enjoy the games.
How do I make deposits and withdrawals
Most US friendly internet casinos support cryptocurrency deposits such as bitcoin, credit card deposits and check or money transfer withdrawal options. You will also occasionally see additional US friendly deposit and withdrawal options such as secure payment vouchers, and prepaid cards.
The selection of funding methods varies from brand to brand. You can log into a casino's banking suite for more information, or speak to customer support for assistance. We recommend everyone become familiar with bitcoin and signup with one of the recommended legal bitcoin casinos we review. Bitcoin is the future of online gambling, online shopping, and money transfers, so it will benefit you in more ways than one to learn about it.
What are the most important considerations that every player should pay attention to when selecting an online casino to play at?
Here are our number one requirements that determine if a brand is worthy of further scrutiny for possible inclusion in our guide. Our process is of course much more in-depth, but these elements will immediately rule out the questionable brands:
Legality – does the casino (or its parent company) hold legal licensing and are they regulated by legitimate governing authority? This is the first thing we look at. A casino that can't meet this requirement is definitely off our list. Most reputable brands are fairly transparent with this information and proud to share documentation that validates their compliance with industry regulations.
Security – we have very stringent standards when it comes to the security profile of any online gambling site. We require the presence of advanced data encryption technology, sophisticated fraud prevention and antivirus protection, and a trained professional technical team for monitoring these systems around the clock.
Reputation – we reach out to other industry professionals and players to see what a casino's reputation is like throughout the online gambling community. While we don't make any decisions based solely on this information, we do take it into consideration and compare it to our own experiences when testing and examining the site ourselves.
Performance – we require a high end, a feature-rich performance that is free of glitches and software triggered interruptions. Because consistency is a key indicator, our testing period is significant in order to return legitimate results.
Customer support – incompetent or non-responsive customer support is a deal-breaker for us. We aggressively test their competence, responsiveness, and ability to deal with issues from simple to complex. Anywhere that you consider investing your money has got to provide a high-quality customer support staff or your money will always be at risk.
Banking suite – we must find successful support of US friendly deposit methods and withdrawal options. After all, if you can't get your money in and out of the casino, what good are they? They must also process transactions timely and efficiently.
If a particular online casino scores high on all these elements, we take them to a deeper level of testing and put them on the potential list for inclusion in our guide.
Are online casino bonuses legit?
The answer to this question depends on where you are playing. If you are visiting one of our recommended casinos, then yes, the bonus offers and promotions are legitimate and are accompanied by reasonable wagering requirements and terms. Most of these offers are structured as match deposit bonuses in which casino site agrees to match a certain percentage of your initial deposit or group of deposits. For example, if a casino offers a 100% match up to $100, they are saying they will match your initial deposit up to a maximum of $100.
On the flip side, the questionable online casinos use attractive bonus offers to lure in unsuspecting players with no intention of honoring the agreement. This is another danger that can be alleviated by relying on expert input regarding which online casino brands you should consider playing at.
So, let's see, what we have: many online casinos are available for players in california, and a regulated online poker market has been discussed by legislators in recent years. At is online casino legal in california
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