Amelia Walker, a J.D. holder and senior content writer at Betting.us, is a legal expert in responsible gambling. Initially skeptical, she now has over six years in professional gambling. She’s studied gambling law and currently educates gamblers on our site in legal and safe play.
Sports Betting in California
By Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer at Betting.us
Updated: December 14, 2023
The California sports betting scene is one that was expected to delay a couple more years. Unlike other states, the abolishment of PASPA laws back in May of 2018 did not mean immediate entry into sports gambling. The Golden State is one of the few regions with strict laws protecting native tribal casinos. However, sports betting in California State took a rapid shift in 2019, when the state had its first hearing. Pundits expect it could have legal sports gambling scene much sooner than anticipated.
Full List and Map of Sports Betting Locations in California
Sports’ betting isn’t legal in California, which means the state does not authorize any operator to provide odds and betting lines on sports. However, there are various other options for sports gamblers, including wagering on horse races and daily fantasy and skills (DFS). Horserace betting has been available since 1933, and the state does not prohibit sports betting via legal offshore sportsbooks. Here is a look at all sports betting locations found within the California state map.
The Best California Sportsbook
| Name | Type | Website | Full Address | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Anita Park | Racetrack | www.santaanita.com | 285 W Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | Read Review |
Betting Locations by Type
Although the state of California does not have legal sports betting, implying no authorized sports betting operators, there are various offers in the market. Interested punters can be hopeful now that the state has begun having hearings on the possibility of legal sports gambling. Pending the official legalization, which has happened in more than twenty states in the nation, sports gamblers in the golden state will have access to the following California betting locations by type.
Casino Resorts
California is the most popular state in the USA and also has world fame. As such, it attracts tourists and gamblers alike, boasting an active gambling scene filled with casino and resort facilities. Popular casino resorts include Cache Creek Casino Resort, Pala Casino Spa & Resort, Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, and Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort, among others.
Racetracks
Racetracks and horseracing events have existed in California for several decades and there are several events hosted each year. You can visit the racebooks to get odds and betting lines for various horse races. California is known to host some of the best quarter horse races in the country. Popular racetracks include Santa Anita, Del Mar, Fresno, Los Alamitos, Fairplex and Golden Gate.
| Racetracks | Types of Racing | Review link |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Anita Park |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
| Del Mar Racing |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
| Los Alamitos Race Course |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
| Golden Gate Fields |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Coming Soon |
Off-Track Betting
California is home to several racetracks, which are linked to different off-track betting locations. You can find simulcast betting and odds just as accurate as those offered by the racetrack sportsbook. Popular OTB locations in California include Viejas Casino OTB, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields, among others.
- Pacific Racing Association
- Viejas Casino
- Shasta District Fair
- Santa Anita Park
- Kern County Fair
- Golden Gate Fields
- Commerce Casino
- Del Mar Racing
- Redwood Acres Fair - 9th DAA
- Sycuan Casino
- Fresno Club One
- The Big Fresno Fair
- Humboldt County Fair
- Shalimar Sports Center
- Fantasy Spring Casino
- Barona Resort & Casino
- Antelope Valley Fair Turf Room
- Los Alamitos Race Course
- Monterey County Fair
- Lake Perris Sports Pavilion
- Alameda County Fair
- Fairplex Park
- California Exposition & State Fair
- The Original Orange Show Events Center
- OC Tavern
- The Fair Downs
- San Mateo Jockey Club
- Earl Warren Showgrounds - 19th DAA
- Santa Barbara County Fair - 37th DAA
- Original Roadhouse Grill
- Sonoma County Fair
- San Joaquin County Fair
- Tulare County Fair
- StanCoFair Turf Room
- The Solano Race Place
- Ventura County Fair 31st DAA
- The Derby Club
- San Bernardino County Fair
- Lake Elsinore Hotel & Casino
- Firehouse on White Lane
- Sammy`s Restaurant and Bar
- Santa Clarita Lanes
- The Derby Room at Glendale
- The Derby Room at Norco
- The Derby Room at Perris
- Tilted Kilt at Thousand Oaks
Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Riverboat casinos have been part of California, despite being prohibited for several decades. The Golden State opened doors to floating casinos, once more over two decades ago. You can find riverboat casino experiences in various casino resorts from Los Angeles to Sacramento and some cruises also have popular casino games.
List of Legal Offline Sportsbooks in California
California is home to many land-based casinos and sportsbooks that offer odds and sports bet lines. If you are looking for where to bet on sports in California, you should compare existing sportsbooks and choose a favorite. Below are all legal offline sportsbooks you can visit in California to wager on horse races and other sports betting options.
Search for Sportsbooks in California
| Casino Name: | Address: | Secure Link: | City: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | |||
| The Bicycle Hotel & Casino | 888 Bicycle Casino Dr | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Fairplex Park | 1101 W McKinley Ave | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Black Oak Casino Resort | 19400 Tuolumne Rd N | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Chumash Casino Resort | 3400 CA-246 | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Comfort Suites Redding - Shasta Lake | 1195 Grand Ave | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Diamond Jim's Casino | 118 20th St W | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Earl Warren Showgrounds - 19th DAA | 3400 Calle Real | Our review will be available soon! | |
| San Mateo Jockey Club | 2495 S. Delaware Ave., San Mateo, CA 94403 | ||
| Elk Cove Inn & Spa | 6300 CA-1 | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Shalimar Sports Center | 46350 Arabia Street | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Fantasy Springs Casino | 84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy, Indio, CA 92203 | ||
| Fresno Club One | 1035 Van Ness Avenue | Our review will be available soon! | |
| The Big Fresno Fair | 1121 Chance Avenue, Fresno, CA 93702 | ||
| Kern County Fair | 1142 South P Street | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Firehouse on White Lane | 7701 White Ln a3, Bakersfield, CA 93309 | ||
| Lake Perris Sports Pavilion | 18700 Lake Perris Drive | Our review will be available soon! | |
| The Derby Room at Perris | 18700 Lake Perris Drive, Perris, CA 92571 | ||
| Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa | 49500 Seminole Dr | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Original Roadhouse Grill | 1423 South Bradley Road | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Pala Casino Spa & Resort | 11154 CA-76 | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Pechanga Resort Casino | 45000 Pechanga Pkwy | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Redwood Acres Fair - 9th DAA | 3750 Harris St | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Rolling Hills Casino and Resort | 2655 Everett Freeman Way | Our review will be available soon! | |
| San Bernardino County Fair | 14800 Seventh Street | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Santa Barbara County Fair - 37th DAA | 937 South Thornburg | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Sonoma County Fair | 1350 Bennett Valley Road | Our review will be available soon! | |
| StanCoFair Turf Room | 900 N Broadway | Our review will be available soon! | |
| The Solano Race Place | 900 Fairground Drive, Vallejo, CA 94589 | ||
| The Derby Club | 10 West Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001 | ||
| Ventura County Fair 31st DAA | Seaside Park | Our review will be available soon! | |
| OC Tavern | 2369 S El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672 | ||
| The Original Orange Show Events Center | 689 South E Street | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Tulare County Fair | 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue | Our review will be available soon! | |
| UpValley Inn & Hot Springs | 1865 Lincoln Ave | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Antelope Valley Fair Turf Room | 2551 West Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536 | ||
| Lake Elsinore Hotel & Casino | 20930 Malaga Road, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 | ||
| The Derby Room at Norco | 3230 Hamner Ave Suite 401, Norco, CA 92860 | ||
| The Derby Room at Glendale | 357 Arden Avenue, Glendale, CA 91203 | ||
| Los Alamitos Race Course | 4961 Katella Ave, Cypress, CA 90720 | ||
| Santa Anita Park | 285 W Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007 | ||
| Commerce Casino | 6131 East Telegraph Road, CA 90040 | ||
| Tilted Kilt at Thousand Oaks | 1345 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA | ||
| Santa Clarita Lanes | 21615 Soledad Canyon Rd, Saugus, CA 91350 | ||
| Sammy`s Restaurant and Bar | 23221 Lake Center Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630 | ||
| Sacramento | |||
| California Exposition & State Fair | 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815 | ||
| Colusa Casino Resort | 3770 CA-45 | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Red Hawk Casino | 1 Red Hawk Pkwy | Our review will be available soon! | |
| San Diego | |||
| Del Mar Racing | 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014 | ||
| Barona Resort & Casino | 1932 Wildcat Canyon Road | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Sycuan Casino Resort | 5469 Casino Way | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Viejas Casino & Resort | 5000 Willows Road, Alpine, CA 91901 | ||
| San Francisco | |||
| Golden Gate Fields | 1100 Eastshore Highway, Berkley, CA 94710 | ||
| Pacific Racing Association | Golden Gate Fields PO Box 6027 | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Alameda County Fair | 4501 Pleasanton Ave, Pleasanton, CA94566 | ||
| Humboldt County Fair | 1250 5th Street Ferndale, CA 95536 | ||
| Monterey County Fair | 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, CA 93940 | ||
| The Fair Downs | 344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111 | ||
| San Joaquin County Fair | 1658 Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206 | ||
California Sports Gambling - All Leagues and Bet Types
The state of California has several professional and amateur sports events taking place in the yearly calendar. Popular sports include football, baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey and college sports. No operator is licensed to provide odds and bet lines on these events. Below are all existing bet types you offered for those looking to wager on sports in California.
- HORSES & DOGS
-
- Thoroughbred racing
- Standardbred racing
Bet Types: - OFF-TRACK (SIMULCAST) BETTING
-
The State Law Allows Off-Track Betting
Where Can I Check the Current Betting Odds and Lines?
There are two main ways you can check current betting odds and lines in California. The first and most recommendable option is to visit the sportsbook central location or headquarters. You will receive accurate information and can complete the betting process as you wait for the events. Another option is to check the official website for daily odds and bet lines. While convenient, our discussion is focused on land-based sportsbooks, so we won’t explore websites. Another rare alternative involves receiving odds via phone messages. Currently, there is no licensed operator that can send sports odds and betting lines via SMS.
Legal Sports Betting in California
Sports’ betting is illegal in the state of California as there are no operators licensed to provide such options. Nonetheless, sports gamblers can wager on horse races and access other bet lines offered by the sportsbook. Below are answers to key questions you should ask when reviewing the legality of sports betting in California State.
Is sports betting legal in California?
No, looking forward to authorize it by the end of 2020.
Legal age for sports betting?
Legal age for sports betting is 21+
Can you bet online in California?
Yes, State-regulated sports betting laws doesn't mean gamblers in California have no other means of placing wagers on professional or college sporting events.
Is fantasy sports betting allowed?
Fantasy sports is legal in California
Is off-track betting allowed?
Yes, off-track betting is allowed
Are there any restrictions?
Yes, betting is restricted according to age
Who regulates CA sports betting?
The state regulates sports betting
History of Sports Betting in California
Gambling has been part of the California culture, considering it is a world-famous state, hosting numerous gambling tourists each year. However, while there are various options, such as wagering on horse races and pari-mutuel, the golden state is yet to pass legislation that legalizes sports betting. The state has had some legislative procedures to legalize various types of sports betting options, such as Daily Fantasy and Skills. Below is a look at the timeline of sports betting in the state of California.
| Year | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1933 | Legal Pari-Mutuel Betting | Pari mutuel was established back in 1933 when voters approved the proposition legalizing wagering on horse racing. Fairplex Park became the first racetrack to offer pari-mutuel wagering after the law was passed. It was also the year that horse racing became a scene in the golden state. |
| 1984 | Legal State Lottery | California first had a statewide legal lottery in 1984, commissioned as a way to fund the education system. In the same year, the state-licensed their first legal card room, although California already had a pre existing card room scene. However, it remained unregulated until 1998 with the introduction of the Gambling Control Act. |
| 2000 onwards | Active Legislative Steps | Several legislative processes have been started in the state of California, but only a few have gained traction. Significant processes were in 2015 when the state legislatures sought to legalize Fantasy Sports. The state also had a hearing pondering the legality of sports betting in 2019, although major stakeholders, including representatives from tribal casinos, did not attend the meeting. It is expected that sports gambling legislature will be revisited more in the future and the golden state may soon join other regions that have legal sports betting. |
How to Bet on Sports in California
Are you looking for how to bet on sports in California? While there is no legal sportsbook that can claim authorization to provide odds and bet lines on sports, you can place a variety of wagers. To do this, you must visit the sportsbook and request odds. Once you have all the odds and betting lines, pick your favorites, place a wager and collect your betting ticket, which will be required in case you win.
General Rules
-
Once both parties accept a wager, it will not be altered or voided prior to the start of the event or championship
-
Winning tickets are void after one year counting from the date of the last event on the wager
-
Winnings of over $10,000 may be delayed until the next regular banking day
-
Betting Limits:
$0.01 Minimum - Maximum depends on the brand
Are Exchanges and Pari-Mutuel Betting Available in California?
California is one of the few states where exchange wagering is statutorily permitted. Pari-mutuel betting is also legal in the Golden State, albeit within the context of horse racing. These options have been available in various land-based casinos, so interested punters must visit a racetrack to find odds and betting lines on pari-mutuel.
Taxation of Winnings
All gambling winnings in California are subject to taxation according to the federal and statutory regulations, whether you are a resident or nonresident. Generally, winnings are taxed at a flat rate of 24 percent, although winnings above $5000 may be subject to higher taxes. Here is an overview of all gambling winning laws in the state of California.
Federal Law:
-
$600 or more - the payor is obliged to provide you with a W-2G form
-
Winnings of 300x the bet or more, must be reported
-
All gambling winnings must be filed under a W-2G form and are subject to 25% federal tax
Additional State Rules:
-
Sports wagering is restricted to adults over 21 at highly regulated and experienced locations
About California
California is the most popular state in the USA, located western of the nation and stretching from 900 miles from the Mexican border through cliff beaches, forests, mountains, farmlands and a dessert.
| Capital | Sacramento |
|---|---|
| Largest City | Los Angeles |
| Population | 39.51 million (2019) |
| Area | 163,696 mi² |
| Time zone | (GMT-7) |
| State Nickname(s) | The Golden State |
| Motto | Eureka |
| Teams | Sport | League |
|---|---|---|
| Inland Empire 66ers | Baseball | CL |
| California sea kings | Basketball | ABA |
| Los Angeles Wildcats | Football | XFL |
| LA Galaxy | Soccer | USL Championship |
Helping Hand for Players in California
Problem gambling is a crucial concern recognized by the state of California. If you suffer impulsive gambling, or know someone that demonstrates related behavioral symptoms, it is advisable to get help sooner rather than later. Below is a look at all the hotlines and help centers available for anyone seeking a helping a hand.
Help for Problem Gambling in California
- Hotlines NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE, 1-800-522-4700
- Help centres CALIFORNIA COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING(C.P.G.H), 41690 Ivy Street, Suite A7 Murrieta, CA 92562 714-765-5804www.calpg.org
Lawyers for Betting Cases
- Solomon Saltsman & Jameson 426 Culver Boulevard Los Angele CA 90293, 800.405.4222www.ssjlaw.com
FAQ
What sports can't you bet on in California?
You can bet on Horse races, Quarter Horse, DFS, Charitable Games
Who is ineligible to place sports bets in California?
Anybody 18 years and above
What other options for gambling are available in California?
State Lottery, Poker, Casino games, slot machines
Who can apply for a California sports betting license?
Operators approved by the California Gaming Control Commission.
How much do sports betting operators have to pay in taxes?
Sports’ betting isn’t legal in California, so there is no defined tax, since there are no licensed sportsbooks.
How much revenue does California sports betting generate?
California has no legal sports betting although pundits project it could generate up to $2.5 million.