Sports bettors in California have a fantastic opportunity to legally wager on a variety of sports. Multiple sportsbooks have expanded their platform in California state. These sportsbook operators perform their systems under government regulations. Therefore, you can get benefit from their services through US mobile betting apps and websites.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for online sports betting in California. This article will explain how online sports betting and retail sportsbooks work in California. We’ll be looking at the top-performing sportsbooks working in this state and how to join. Certainly, customers will always prefer to choose a sportsbook that will accomplish its goals and needs. You will also be able to learn how to use sportsbooks and place bets on various sports teams.

In the end, we will discuss the legal things of online sports betting in California. Additionally, we’ll go over the history of sports betting in California, as well as the tax requirements for winners and sportsbooks. Then, in the end, we’ll go over some beginner-friendly frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you make an informed decision.

Sports betting sites that may launch in CA

California is one of the biggest states with 40+ million people. That’s why it would be no surprise that so many sports betting sites are going to launch their operation in populated states. To pick up the best site for sports betting online in California, you need to understand the opportunities and strategies for online sportsbooks. That’s why we’ll discuss all the necessary details of these sites.

With the information provided, you can decide on a better way to choose a site. Basically, choosing the betting sportsbook depends upon the customer’s needs and interests. So, we’ll try to discuss the necessary details with a brief introduction. These are some of the best sports betting sites that may launch in California:

BetMGM California

No doubt, BetMGM has already made its presence in other states of the US and has a great reputation. BetMGM is not only a sportsbook but also has a casino, horse racing, and daily fantasy sports. Generally, people use BetMGM as a top-notch sportsbook with endless online betting options. Some of these include; casinos, live betting, sports, sports teams, and attractive bonuses. Therefore, it is a great option for online bettors to use BetMGM, as it is one of the top California sports betting platforms.

Caesars California

Another top sportsbook, Caesars is one of the largest online sports betting operators in the US. Caesars sportsbook provides many key features to online bettors like early cashout, live betting, casino, poker, NBA, and NFL contests. Therefore, California as a golden state is a great place to start betting online using caesars sportsbook. Moreover, it has quite an attractive sign up bonus, risk-free bets, and many more promotional offers. In other words, California is most definitely a golden state with golden opportunities.

Unibet California

It has more than 16 million players which are engaged in different fields like sports, casinos, online casinos, games, poker, and many more. Unibet is one of the most established mobile operator sportsbooks worldwide. Betting on this platform gives multiple offers for bettors using app availability and promotions. To decide what to do, move on its online platform to find all the exciting features.

DraftKings California

Certainly, DraftKings is popular online gambling and sports betting platform. Sportsbook and Dual Fantasy Sports (DFS) are two important marketplaces of DraftKings. California is a huge market, therefore, DraftKings provides the esports service flexibility option as well. For instance, Valorant, COD (Call of Duty), and Rocket League Fantasy for online bettors. You can explore more in this sportsbook on their online platform, and you’ll find numerous more games on the list.

Twinspires California

It is a racebook platform that is further branched into online sportsbooks and casinos across the different states of the US. Twinspires sportsbook has multiple key features like risk-free bet, mobile availability (iOS and android both), live sports streaming, live betting, and many more. California being among the largest states in the US has an edge to get more options for players to choose for sports betting. That’s why visit their online platform to explore more.

There are numerous California sports betting sites that provide their services for their customers to entertain and to earn more. The above-mentioned sportsbooks are our top priority for sports betting online in California. One thing we certainly want to mention here is, that customers will always prioritize more profit and less investment on any sportsbook platform.

One of the most important questions people search for is; can you bet on sports in California? Sadly, no. California sports betting did not become legal yet, and or distribute licenses under the official state constitution of California. Even after legalization, it will take some time for the online betting operators to set up the systems and get them functional. Nevertheless, it will, most probably, become a legal and regulated sportsbook in January 2023.

A timeline of online sports betting in CA

In order to play via different sportsbooks legally, the online sports betting operators need permission and a license from the respective state legislatures. Unfortunately, California does not legalize sports betting yet and confirmation will come until November’s ballot 2022 for sports betting online. Here we’ll discuss the recent efforts for making California sports betting legal by different organizations and people who are following:

Timeline 2022

  • 12th May 2022 — According to the BetMGM investors, online California sports betting launching will increase the North American market by up to $37 billion.
  • 3rd May 2022 — Submission of about 1.6 million signatures, until this time, for online California sports betting.
  • 27th April 2022 — Tribal groups sponsor a poll for sports betting in California, and the survey polled more than 1000 Californian voters which look promising to qualify for November’s ballot.
  • 18th April 2022 — According to the Taxpayers Against Special Interest Monopolies, multiple elected officials, including mayors and city council members, have joined the opposition to the tribal retail gaming initiative.
  • 8th April 2022 — Right now, a retail betting initiative has been approved for November’s ballot and mobile gaming was added later by voters.
  • 30th March 2022 — According to the facts presented by the Taxpayers Against Special Interest Monopolies, a group of veteran organizations voiced their opposition to the tribal retail sports betting for November’s ballot.
  • 25th March 2022 — Multiple cardrooms are supporting the campaign against tribal retail sports betting which has been approved for November Election this year. The only option for tribes to sue cardrooms privately is to make their specific game offers.
  • 17th March 2022 — Three tribes are using television strategy to oppose the online sports betting initiative which is backed by sportsbooks that want themselves to be spotted on November’s ballot.
  • 8th March 2022 — Supreme court rejects A lawsuit to nullify online sports betting and later refiles to put it in the lower court.
  • 25th Feb 2022 — A survey run by UC Berkeley has reported that more than a fifth of people is uncertain about California sports betting. Almost 45-33% of people have decided to vote for online sports betting which means at least one sports betting option will be on November’s ballot.
  • 9th Feb 2022 — Three tribes are opposing the ballot initiative backed by the sportsbooks to put mobile sports betting on November’s ballot.
  • 1st Feb 2022 — California is hosting the Super Bowl LVI and has a team competing in the game but there are no legal sports betting in California. That’s why they need to move to other states (Arizona or Nevada) to play legally.

Timeline 2021

By the end of May 2021, counties were successful in certifying over one million valid signatures. Due to the great margin of 65,000 signers on the tribes’ petition, California residents will be able to vote for sports betting in November 2022. After a few months, two other initiatives (sportsbook measure and card rooms) proposals appeared in fall 2021. These two initiatives started signature campaigns at the end of 2021 but did not get any favorable results from the people.

Timeline 2020

In January 2020, three people (Sen, Bill Dodd, and Assemblyman Adam Gray) organized the Joint Governmental Committee for making sports betting legalized in CA. It was a formal meeting then corona influenced the course situation for sports bettings in California. There were a few general meetings held but could not end up with any concluded results. Tribal initiatives want more time for signatures, and they get it till October 2020 which was extended till December 14th due Pandemic. Finally, the tribal initiative won with 1.4 million signatures.

Timeline 2019

On June 27, 2019, sports betting bills were proposed by Gary and senator Bill Dodd. As a matter of fact, 18 Californian tribes collaborated to file the petition which they referred to as The Californian Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act. They proposed a 10% tax rate and other statements as well. Tribes were pushing the matters for their retail wagering to their brick-and-mortar casinos. In order to make the ballot, proposals would need almost one million signatures by June 25, 2020, and the rest of the story you can be read in the above section timeline 2020.

Brick-and-mortar sports betting locations in California.

In California, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose are the best locations for brick-and-mortar sports betting. According to the Google map provided by betting.us, there are almost 56 sportsbooks in Los Angeles and 37 around the nearer cities. So, you can choose your favorite sports.

Right now, there is no legal sportsbook approved for California residents. Therefore, the location will be decided accordingly when California state’s law and order allows gambling sites to launch their operations.

Taxes for online sports betting in California

In order to get profit and investment insights into different sports through different sportsbooks, you need to understand the government’s applicable taxes on different sports.

As you will generate income from your activities, it will have an effect on your taxes. Unfortunately, people do not pay attention to tax details while betting on their respective sports. Here are some things you need to understand about the tax implications, which are as follows:

  • Your gambling winning is a source of income, and all incomes are taxable
  • Fantasy league winnings are taxable
  • Winning at sports betting sites is taxable
  • Winnings at casinos are taxable
  • You can deduct losses if you itemize

Tax details for California sports betting apply to terms and conditions. Firstly, a person should be a resident of California. Secondly, there will be a 10% tax on sports wagering and license fees. Thirdly, taxes and licensing funds are directed first to regulatory costs, then 85% to the homelessness programs, and 15% to non-participating tribes.

FAQ

Can I bet on sports online in CA if I’m under 21?

To place bets in California, a player needs to fulfill the legal gambling age criteria which are above 21 plus age otherwise, it will be counted against the court legislation. There are different golden states, where players can bet at an age of a minimum of 18. These are generally in racetracks, horse racing, and tribal casinos.

Who oversees online sports betting in California?

There are three initiatives which are tribal measures, sportsbook-backed measures, and cardrooms which are arguing differently about controlling California sports betting. The first two above-mentioned initiatives want the Bureau of Gambling Control as a regulator whereas cardrooms claim the California Department of Consumer Affairs to be a regulator. But, it will be decided by the court at the end of November's ballot 2022.

Is it legal to bet on horse racing online in CA?

Absolutely, yes you can enjoy online horse betting in California. Horse race betting is legal for people 18 years or older. Now, online betting for horse races is available in mobile apps as well. California Horse Racing Board has listed the following online platforms to bet on: TVG Racing, TwinSpires, Watch and Wager, Offtrack Betting, Xpressbet, NYRA Bets.