CALIFORNIA GAMBLING LAWS
Gambling in California: Laws, Casinos, and Betting Options
California maintains one of the most complex and restrictive gambling regulatory environments in the United States. While the state hosts the largest tribal casino industry in the nation, it prohibits most forms of commercial and online gambling. No regulated intrastate online casinos, poker rooms, or sports betting markets exist. Offshore gambling platforms operate in a legal gray area: state law does not explicitly criminalize individual players for participating, but broad prohibitions on unauthorized gambling could theoretically apply.
Legal Gambling Landscape in California
California Penal Code sections 330–337 and the California Gambling Control Act strictly regulate gambling activities. Only tribal casinos (under tribal-state compacts), licensed card rooms (player-banked card games only), charitable gaming, horse racing pari-mutuel betting, and the state lottery are permitted. The California Gambling Control Commission and Department of Justice oversee licensed operations. Attempts to introduce regulated online gambling, poker, or sports betting have repeatedly failed due to conflicts between tribal operators, card rooms, racetracks, and anti-gambling groups.
Players seeking online casino games or sports betting often turn to offshore sites, though such activity carries legal uncertainty and lacks consumer protections.
Tribal Gaming Facilities
California is home to approximately 70 tribal casinos operated by 72 federally recognized tribes across more than 30 counties. These Class III facilities offer slots, video poker, table games (where permitted by compact), and poker rooms. Among the largest and most popular are:
- San Manuel Casino (Highland)
- Pechanga Resort Casino (Temecula)
- Thunder Valley Casino Resort (Lincoln)
- Morongo Casino Resort & Spa (Cabazon)
- Cache Creek Casino Resort (Brooks)
- Pala Casino Spa & Resort (Pala)
Many tribal casinos also feature large poker rooms and host major tournaments, making California a leading destination for live poker.
Online Casinos and Poker in California
No regulated online casinos or real-money online poker platforms are available in California. Multiple attempts to legalize intrastate online poker since 2008 have failed, primarily due to disagreements between tribes, card rooms, and other stakeholders. A notable effort by the Lipay Nation of Santa Ysabel to launch an online bingo/poker site was halted by court action in 2016. Offshore casino and poker sites remain accessible to residents, but participation technically falls under the state’s broad gambling prohibitions (Penal Code § 330), although individual players are rarely prosecuted.
Sports Betting Status
Sports betting is not legal in California in any form—neither retail nor online. After the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning PASPA, several sports betting initiatives were proposed (including 2022 ballot measures), but all failed to pass due to competing tribal and commercial interests. Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing remains legal at tracks and off-track facilities. Residents frequently access offshore sportsbooks, though such activity carries the same legal ambiguity as other forms of online gambling.
Daily Fantasy Sports and Lottery
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operates in a legal gray area. A 2015 bill to regulate DFS failed to pass the Senate, leaving no clear authorization or prohibition. Major operators (DraftKings, FanDuel, etc.) continue to accept California players, and no significant enforcement actions have occurred. The California State Lottery offers draw games (Powerball, Mega Millions, SuperLotto Plus), scratchers, and second-chance drawings, available exclusively at licensed retail locations—no online ticket sales are permitted.
Bingo and Charitable Gaming
Bingo is legal when operated by qualified charitable organizations or tribes. No state-sanctioned real-money online bingo exists following the 2016 court shutdown of the Lipay Nation’s Desert Rose Bingo operation.
Future Prospects for Gambling Reform
Efforts to legalize regulated online poker, sports betting, or iGaming have repeatedly stalled due to deep divisions among stakeholders. Tribal operators generally oppose expansions that would benefit card rooms or commercial entities, while anti-gambling groups and other interests also resist change. As a result, significant statewide gambling expansion remains unlikely in the near future without major political compromise or a voter-approved ballot measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is online gambling legal in California? No regulated online gambling exists; offshore casino and poker sites operate in a legal gray area with low individual enforcement risk.
- Is sports betting available in California? No—neither retail nor online sports betting is legal; only pari-mutuel horse racing is permitted.
- Are there legal casinos in California? Yes, approximately 70 tribal casinos offer slots, table games (where compact allows), and large poker rooms.
- What is the status of online poker in California? No regulated online poker exists; multiple legalization attempts have failed.
- Can residents use offshore betting sites? Many do, but such activity technically violates state gambling laws, even if player prosecutions are extremely rare.
California offers an extensive network of tribal casinos and poker rooms for land-based play. Residents seeking online options must currently rely on unregulated offshore platforms, which carry legal and financial risks. Stay informed through official state sources for any potential changes in gambling policy.