Sports betting is still not legal in California despite more than 30 other states in the U.S. following through with legalization recently. There have been many efforts to make sports betting legal in California, but ultimately Californians haven’t supported pro-sports betting measures like we’ve seen elsewhere. However it should be noted that alternative sportsbooks like Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) providers are alive and well in California.
While we all wait for California to legalize sports betting 🤞, below you can find information about sportsbook alternatives like Kalshi, Betr, and Dabble.
| California Betting Options |  FinCertified Bonus | States Available |
|---|---|---|
Image  | Bonus is not available in your region | All 50 states |
Image  | Bonus is not available in your region | AK AR CA DC FL GA IL IN KA KY MA MN NE NM NC ND OK OR RI SC SD TN TX UT WV WI WY |
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AL AK AZ AR CA CO DE FL DC GA IL IN KA KY MA MN NE NH NM NC ND OK OR RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WV WI WY |
Image  | Bonus is not available in your region | AK AZ AR CA CT DC DE FL GA HI IL IN IO KA MN ME MD MA MN MS MO NE NH NJ NM NY NC ND OK OR PA RI SC SD TX UT VT VA WV WI WY |
PrizePicks | Not | AK AL AR AZ CA CO FL GA IL IN KS KY MA MI MN NE NM NC ND OK OR RI SC SD TX UT VT VA WI WY |
California Sports Betting Options
No books available.
California Promotions & Bonuses
Please check back for promotions to be added for upcoming events.
While sports betting in California, Daily Fantasy Sites and Alternative sportsbooks will roll out a range of promotions and bonuses designed to entice newcomers and veterans alike. Typical offers include:
- Sign-Up Bonuses: Large deposit match offers and risk-free bets to get you started
- Enhanced Odds Boosts: Temporary improvements on popular markets to increase potential returns
- Free Bet Credits: Bonuses that allow you to place a wager without using your own cash
- Loyalty Rewards Programs: Points or credits earned with every bet, which can be redeemed for bonus funds or exclusive perks
To maximize these bonus offers, keep the following tips in mind:
- Read the Fine Print: Always review the terms and conditions to understand wagering requirements and expiration dates
- Compare Offers: Shop around different sportsbooks to find the most competitive promotions
- Use Exclusive Promo Codes: Access bonus codes from trusted sources for additional benefits
- Plan Your Wagers: Strategically combine bonuses with your betting strategy to meet playthrough requirements effectively
- Ask For Help: You don't have to do it alone. Trusted pick service providers like Doc's Sports and Wunderdog can help you spend those bonus bucks wisely
Top California Sports Betting Apps
Our team has carefully analyzed the California sports betting options to bring you a handpicked selection that goes down smooth like a flight of wine in the Sonoma Plaza. With alternative sportsbooks apps now a major force in California, we’ve identified the top betting apps to ensure you’re getting the best options available.
Our expert reviews are thorough, objective, and frequently updated, so you can confidently choose a sportsbook that fits your needs—without worrying about the outdated details all over the Internet.
Whether you’re an experienced bettor or just getting started with sports wagering in California, we’re here to help you 
FIND YOUR EDGE Find Your Edge - Find Your Edge - Leveraging Odds Shark’s industry expertise, we highlight unique, expert-evaluated elements of each sportsbook to help users confidently select the platform that fits their needs.
Explore our expert summaries below or if you like to bet while you're traveling outside of California, check out this detailed reviews of industry leaders like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars.
Kalshi
Kalshi joined the sports wagering landscape with sports prediction markets, providing users with another fun option for forecasting outcomes. The platform is still pretty new, but there are multiple reasons Kalshi is capturing attention in California.
Kalshi is a prediction market platform where participants can simply choose “yes” or “no” on a range of outcomes. Initially focused on big events like the Super Bowl and March Madness, markets have expanded to include single games for major sports. Similar to comparing sports betting odds, users can pick and choose from contract prices for various outcomes. And it's not limited to sports either as you can find election wagers and other political or social markets as well. Read more via our full review of Kalshi.
- Innovative Model
- Surging Popularity
- User-Friendly Interface
- Reasonable Fees
- Promo Offers
- Regulatory Pushback
- Available Markets
- Limited Banking Options
user experience
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Dabble
Dabble Fantasy is a mobile-only daily fantasy (DFS) pick’em platform that combines the entertainment of DFS pick’em contests with the social aspect of being a sports fan. You can build entries based on a specific stat for a given player ie. will LeBron James have higher or lower than 27.5 points vs the Nuggets or will Brock Purdy throw for higher or lower than 249.5 passing yards vs the Rams?
The minimum stake for your entry is $5 so it’s a low threshold for a novice player and you must make at least two picks which would 3x your entry free. Two correct picks with a $5 wager returns $15. The more selections on your entry, the higher the multiplier up to 12 correct picks which pays out 1,000x your stake up to a maximum of $50,000 💰.
- Huge pick'em selection
- Slick mobile betting app
- Social community and chat
- No desktop version
- No loyalty rewards program
Dabble User Experience
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Betr
Betr focuses entirely on microbetting, allowing bettors to wager on individual plays or specific moments rather than full games. This format is perfect for high-intensity sports fans hungry for instant gratification. Microbetting isn't for anyone but if you appreciate live betting on other platforms, you'll probably like it. Feel free to wager on the next drive in a USC football game, or the next pitch in a Mookie Betts at bat, or the next hole in a golf tournament. Click here for our full expert review of Betr.
Betting on Wilmer Flores' next at bat, or Justin Herbert's next play is a lot of fun no matter which California team you've sworn your allegiance to.
- Microbetting markets
- Welcome offer for new players
- Smooth interface
- Not available in all states
- Limited betting options
Betr User Experience
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Prophet X
Prophet X is a popular sports exchange Californians are starting to love because it provides players with much more flexibility than a traditional sportsbook.
You may be interested in our complete review of Prophet X. Instead of wagering against the house and oddsmaker's lines, you make predictions based on odds listed at the exchange, or even set their own prices. There’s just a 3% percent commission rate (much better than the typical 10% sportsbook vig), giving you the chance to keep even more of your winnings. You can find MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL lines (and others) on Prophet X.
- Unique model and great platform
- Low commission rates
- Covers all the major sports
- Limited promotions at the moment
- Limited banking options
Prophet X User Experience
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how to start betting in California
Sports betting in California is different from most states because betting at sportsbooks hasn't been legalized. However you can still place wagers on sports in California through alternatives to sportsbooks like betting exchanges, or Daily Fantasy Sites. If you're 18+ in California, you can download one of these alternative sportsbooks and start betting today.
Select an Option
First, decide which betting option (Prophet X, Betr, etc.) you want to use. The details on this page can help you make a decision and you can also read full reviews for each of these options with the links provided on the page.
Register
Once you've decided on a betting app, click the banner on this page to start the registration process and look for a button that says “sign up” or “get started” while you’re inside California. You’ll be required to fill in some personal information and verify your identity.
Deposit
To fund the account, select the payment option you prefer. Each app has different deposit options, but common options include Credit/debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, etc. Remember to keep an eye out for any fees that might be associated with the deposit.
choose your bet and bet size
There are a variety of wagering options within each betting option. If you’re just getting started, stick with sports and markets that you're familiar with. Over/under, parlays, player props, and futures bets are popular choices.
place a wager
Each betting option runs independently from each other so they each may offer odds on the same wager. Before placing your wager, try shopping around at other betting apps to get the best price. Once you’ve found odds you like, type in your wager amount and submit your wager. If your wager wins, your winnings and your original bet will be deposited back into your account shortly after the event you bet on finishes.
withdraw funds
Each California betting option has different methods and processes for cashing out money if you’re successful in betting. It’s normal for withdrawals to take longer than deposits, but the money is typically received within a couple of days.
California Sports Betting Partnerships
Despite being a large state with many professional sports teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL, California has less sports betting partnerships than most states. That makes sense because California is still one of the states that has yet to fully legalize sports betting at sportsbooks.
However, there's one noteworthy partnership recently that might provide a model for other DFS companies to partner with professional sports teams:
- Prize Picks, a Daily Fantasy Sports provider that isn't FinCertified, teamed up with the San Diego Padres in April of 2025. One aspect of their partnership is an agreement that each time the Padres score 10+ runs in a home game, fans will be invited to participate in a contest for a chance to win a cash and tickets to a future Padres game.
Is Sports Betting legal in california?
No. While there has been some traction to get sports betting legalized in California, those trying to legalize sports betting in the state seem to take two steps forward and one step back. For instance, either 2022 ballot initiatives (Props 26 & 27) would have legalized sports betting, but both failed to garner public support in the voting booth. More recently, the California Tribal Sports Betting Initiative failed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
While Californians can’t bet on point spreads of 49ers and Rams games at sportsbooks, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests sites and betting exchange sites are filling the void in the meantime.
Legal Framework
- Sports betting at sportsbooks like you'd find in Las Vegas, is not legal in California.
- However, there are not currently laws restricting betting apps that offer alternatives to sportsbooks like betting exchanges and betting market websites like Kalshi.
Regulatory Bodies
- The California Attorney General's Office: There have been questions in the past about whether Daily Fantasy sites should be legalized in California and the State Attorney General in has investigated the matter. That happened most recently by AG Rob Bonta in 2023.
Key Restrictions & Limitations
- Age Restrictions: All bettors must be 18 or older to participate in the betting platforms that are available in California.
- Betting restrictions: Each app has its own set of restrictions. For instance, you won't find political bets on Prophet X, but you will on Kalshi. You won't find in-game wagers at Kalshi, but you will at Betr.
- Point Spread Betting: The traditional point spread wagers you'll find at sportsbooks aren't available in California.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
- The California Department of Health has an Office of Problem Gambling which offers information on its website about identifying problematic gambling behavior and finding treatment and other resources.
History of Sports Betting Legalization in California
While there was some talk of California voters having a sports betting initiative on their ballot in November, that's not been the case and the California Tribal Sports Betting Initiative has failed in the past to gain enough signatures. Props 26 and 27 also failed to gain public support in 2022.
November 8, 2022
Props 26 & 27 fail at the ballot. Prop 27 fails with 82.28% of California voters voting “No” compared to only 17.72% of “Yes” votes. Also known as the “Legalize Sports Betting And Revenue For Homeless Prevention Fund Initiative,” Prop 27 would have allowed mobile sports wagering throughout the state. Prop 26 failed with 67% of voters saying “No” compared to just 33% saying, “Yes” to allowing sports betting in California.
october 27, 2023
Ryan Tyler Walz filed the Tribal Sports Betting Initiative, which would allow California voters to approve sports betting via a ballot initiative. With 874,641 required signatures, some in California were hopeful it would be successful.
january 2, 2024
The California Tribal Sports Betting Initiative was cleared for circulation as signatures were collected.
july 1, 2024
The California Tribal Sports Betting Initiative failed to submit the required signatures to put sports betting on California ballots.
April 1, 2025
The Sports Betting Alliance, a group comprised of some of the top sportsbooks in the industry, unveiled a proposal in San Diego at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention. This plant would legalize online sports betting in the state and partner them with California's 109 federally recognized Native American tribes. This is the latest high profile attempt to fully legalize sports betting in California.
Are Online Casinos Legal in California?
Online casinos are not regulated in California yet. In the meantime, sweepstakes casinos offer a similar experience are can be found in California.
Comparison with Other States
All three states (Nevada, Oregon, Arizona) that share a border with California have legalized sports betting. Oregon only allows bettors to use the DraftKings app.
Nevada is obviously a sports betting powerhouse, but it requires bettors to register in-person, so a California bettor can't just cross state lines in their car and bet from a parking lot like they can in Arizona. A visit to a casino or retail betting location is necessary in Nevada.
Market Size & Wagering Handle:
- Without regulated sportsbooks it's difficult to say how many dollars are wagered in California on DFS sites and similar apps.
- California is a large state with a huge population and tons of professional sports teams so the potential is there for it to lead the country in sports betting handle if legalization became a reality.
- In contrast:
- Nevada: Thanks in large part to cities like Reno and Las Vegas, the state of Nevada saw a $7.9 Billion sports betting handle in 2024, which fell short of its $8.2 Billion mark the year prior.
- Arizona: Arizona matched Nevada's $7.9 Billion 2024 sports betting handle which was up from $6.5 Billion the year prior.
- Oregon: With a $864.7 Million betting handle, Oregon does pretty well for itself, but it'd do even better if the state allowed sportsbook competition.
Tax Rates & Impact on the Market:
- Nevada: Nevada has an extremely friendly tax system for sportsbooks with 6.75% tax that encourages sportsbooks to enter the state.
- Arizona: With a 10% tax rate on sportsbooks, Arizona's rate is higher than Nevada's but still much lower than many other states in the U.S. For instance, New York and New Hampshire have 51% tax rates.
Overall Implications:
- With Nevada and Arizona sporting industry friendly tax rates, that's something for California lawmakers to be aware of if they ever legalize sports betting. However with so much potential for California being a cash cow, lawmakers might be able to name their price.
- California is losing tax revenue from its residents who travel to Arizona and more likely Nevada to place their sports bets.
Potential Legislative Changes & Market Growth in California Sports Betting
Sports Betting Legalized in California?
Obviously the biggest legislative change California could possibly make would be to legalize sports betting. This would be massive news in the industry as California is a potential cash cow for spotsbooks and politicians alike. It's looking like the earliest California could see sports betting would be in 2026 and it'd require a ballot initiative to be voted on by residents.
More Alternatives on the Way
The Longer California waits to legalize sports betting, the more quality companies like Profit X, Betr, and Underdog Fantasy will appreciate being the only show in town. As other companies see their success, nobody would be surprised to see more companies follow suit.
Emerging Trends & Technologies in California Sports Betting
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USA Betting News
Responsible Gaming Message From California
Seeking to reduce problems from pathological gambling, the Bureau of Gambling Control is working with card rooms and others to encourage Responsible Gambling Programs.
California also operates a state Office of Problem Gambling to promote public awareness and assist victims and their families. The Bureau of Gambling Control is coordinating with the Office of Problem Gambling to ensure that state programs take into account, as much as practicable, problem and pathological gamblers as required by state law.
Gambling Addiction Support:
- Access to counseling services and support groups is available through national organizations like the Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER).
- Those seeking help can also chat with a counselor at 800gambler.chat
Responsible Gaming Initiatives:
- The State Attorney General in California, Rob Bonta, has made it clear that decreasing the risks associated with gambling is important to him. The California Department of Public Health's website allows California's to type in their zip code and search for nearby gambling treatment.
Operator Tools and Safety Features:
- In states that have legalized sports betting entirely, regulators mandate safety features. Despite California not reaching this milestone, these safety features are still often in place on the sports betting apps California does have.
- For instance, Underdog Fantasy has a "Responsible Gaming" tab that allows bettors to self-exclude, set "cool-off" breaks and even the ability to be notified when you deposit more than a certain amount.
The California Council on Problem Gambling (CALPG) is an excellent resource for anyone in California who needs support with gambling related issues or anyone seeking treatment. CALPG’s website has information about California gambling counselors and residential treatment facilities.
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