Best California Sportsbooks April 2025
| Online Sportsbooks · States · California |
Legal sports betting has been booming in popularity in the United States over the last few years. Top sportsbooks like bet365, DraftKings and BetMGM are always keeping an eye on California to see when the state will legalize sports betting. As of right now, the best option for Californians is to use DFS, social sportsbooks, or California social casinos.
So: Is there legal sports betting in California?
No, sadly, sports betting is illegal in California. Much like New York was before legalizing, California is a sought-after sports betting market with the potential to be the biggest in the US for online gambling. California online casinos are also not legal, but they do have the potential for legal sports betting in California to go live at some point in the future.
Last Updated on: 04/30/2025
WHY CAN'T I BET ON SPORTS IN CALIFORNIA? 🤔
Well, for starters, CA online gambling is not legal! Sports betting has been up to states to legislate since 2018, when PASPA, the federal statute banning sports betting, was overturned. A growing number of states are legalizing betting, but recent efforts over the years have all fallen flat to have betting in California.
Two sports betting measures garnered enough signatures to get on the November 2022 ballot in the form of Propositions 26 and 27, but both were soundly defeated when voted on by the people of the state. The Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), which includes popular operators like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and Fanatics, is hard at work to align with California tribes and bring sports betting in California in the future.
POSSIBLE DRAFTKINGS AND FANDUEL DEAL WITH CALIFORNIA TRIBES 🏟️
In 2025, news came that DraftKings and FanDuel—the two leading American sportsbooks by market share—are looking at partnering with the tribes in the state to legalize sports betting in California.
Representatives from the two major online sportsbooks spoke at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention in San Diego this year. Their proposal is that the 109 tribes in California create a "single entity" to be owned and operated by those tribes. The tribal entity would then contract to the national sportsbook operators so that they could bring online sports betting to California.
The pitch by the SBA is to let the tribes have control over online sports betting in California, earning them a revenue share from the agreement every month. There would also be a percentage of revenue going to the sports betting operators, as well as tax revenue to California.
This is the beginning of a new attempt to bring online sports betting sites to California. Although it may look promising at the start, we'll follow all the news around it here at VegasInsider to see where it really ends up.
BACKGROUND OF PREVIOUS CA SPORTS BETTING ATTEMPTS 📰
Two competing ballot initiatives back in 2022 would have legalized some form of California sports betting, but the tribes pushing for their own form of an initiative pulled out and focused all their efforts combating the initiative spearheaded by DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel. Both secured a position on California's November 2022 ballot, neither initiative passed, leaving players without any options for legal, online sports betting sites in the state.
And while there was no movement in 2023, Reeve Collins of Pala Interactive tried to get things going in 2024 with a couple sports betting initiatives. Both aimed to have sports betting (online or retail) run by tribes. However, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association strongly opposed the nascent initiatives, quickly spiking their momentum for betting in California.
Stay tuned for more news and updates as those in the state try to legalize California sports betting.
CONTENTS
- California Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
- California Social Sportsbooks
- California Betting Laws
- Best California Sportsbooks: Events and Betting Markets
- Common Payment Options
- Best California Sportsbooks FAQ
- Final Thoughts on Betting in California
CALIFORNIA DAILY FANTASY SPORTS (DFS) 🏅
Even though there are no California betting sites, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is a great way to still play on major league sports teams and players. There are many major DFS sites available to those in California. Try your sports knowledge skills by playing DFS and learn about the PrizePicks Promo Code. Play fantasy games by selecting contests on a variety sports events like NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL PGA, soccer, and more.
Looking for all the top daily fantasy sports options? Check out our best fantasy sports sites and offers below.
TOP CALIFORNIA DFS APPS AND PREDICTION MARKETS 🏆
As you can see, there are plenty of good options above for picking a DFS app or prediction market to enjoy in California. We'll show you our top four below and explain what makes them so great.
1) SLEEPER FANTASY - BEST DFS FOR SOCIAL GAMING 🕹️
Sleeper Fantasy is a great DFS app to make daily picks and be social about it too. Their social media team sends out sports alerts during big events where Sleeper users can join in the live discussion.
Users can also enjoy timely promos and fantasy leagues to enjoy with all major sports. We've had a great experience over the years using Sleeper Fantasy in our DFS lineup.
- Use our Sleeper Fantasy promo code
2) UNDERDOG FANTASY - BEST DFS FOR SPORTS COVERAGE 🐶
Underdog is simply one of the best DFS apps in the game. They have fun daily DFS picks to play with, and great sports coverage to help you analyze before submitting. We recommend checking out the Underdog Network to help you when making picks on the app.
- Use our Underdog promo code
3) PRIZEPICKS - BEST DFS FOR PROMOS 👾
PrizePicks is another major player in the daily fantasy sports game, and they are the best for us because of their promos. They have Taco Tuesdays, Demons and Goblins, and other special event promos to help with picks weekly. Users should see each day what promo they can use to try and get a win.
- Use our PrizePicks promo code
4) KALSHI - BEST PREDICTION MARKET 📈
Kalshi is the best prediction market out there, which is saying a lot since prediction markets are booming in popularity right now. You can find fun topics to predict based in pop culture, sports, politics, news and more.
- Use our Kalshi referral code
QUICK FACTS ABOUT CALIFORNIA DFS 🏃♂️
| 🎂 DFS Legal Age | California DFS players must be at least 18 or 21 depending on the platform of your choice. |
| 📱 Mobile DFS Apps | You can use your mobile device in California to sign up for legal DFS options in the state. Use our best DFS options to get the best out of the sign up promos. |
| 🧾 Taxes & DFS | DFS players will likely need to fill out a 1099 with an operator where they have net winnings of $600 or more in a year. |
| 🗺️ Location Requirements | For you to be able to use your favorite DFS app in CA you need to be physically located within state lines. |
| 🖥️ California Sports Betting Sites | As California sports betting is not legal just yet, there are currently no California sports betting sites to be used. |
CALIFORNIA SOCIAL SPORTSBOOKS 🎉
Social sportsbooks are a growing trend in the world of online "betting" apps. With social betting apps, there's no real money thrown around-- instead, you're using a free in-game currency, usually referred to as "coins" or "points". (But, of course, these books make money by offering you the chance to buy more in-game currency.)
| 🏟️ Social Sportsbooks | 💰 Welcome Offer | 🚨 Promo Code |
| 💙 Fliff Sportsbook | ||
| ‼️ Thrillzz Sportsbook | ||
| 🔁 Rebet Sportsbook |
Apps like Rebet or Fliff Sportsbook are great example of social sportsbooks enabling users in states without legal online betting to get some picks in and win prizes for being right.
These books typically offer gift cards or crypto payouts as a cash-in. You pay for some in-game currency, and if you win, you'll win tokens that you can later exchange for real-life rewards (including crypto in some cases, which you can then exchange for cash using a trusted exchange like CoinBase).
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR DFS OR SOCIAL SPORTSBOOKS IN CALIFORNIA ✍️
With no legal sports betting sites in California, DFS and social sportsbook options are your next best choice. Follow our guide below to see how you can sign up for new user promos and enjoy the apps today.
- Pick your DFS or social sportsbook: The first thing you can easily do is pick a daily fantasy sports app or social sportsbook that we've listed in the article above.
- Begin the sign up process: If you haven't signed up with one of those operators above, click the green button to claim your bonus.
- Use our promo codes: Make sure you use our promo codes when on this step of the sign up process.
- Get your new user bonus offer: Earn your bonus here. Sometimes it'll be given once you sign up, others will be matched later on when you've placed picks.
- Deposit your funds: Go ahead and make your first deposits. Follow the terms and conditions of the bonuses, as some have deposit limits to be reached before you earn your new user bonus!
- Make picks on the DFS apps or social sportsbooks: Now you can sit back and have fun making your picks on a DFS app or social sportsbook in California.
- Withdraw your winnings: The best part is here! Once you've gotten winnings from a top DFS app or social sportsbook in California, you can withdraw them and enjoy.
CALIFORNIA BETTING LAWS
Sports betting is illegal in California. You cannot bet and there are no regulated sites. There are California card rooms that accept players 18 and older, but nothing regarding legal online sports betting in California has come across a governor's desk since the overturning of PASPA in 2018.
Still, professional sports teams and sports bettors alike are eager to legalize and legitimize betting on regulated websites and CA betting apps through some tribal gaming compacts or, better yet, a signed law that gives the tribes a seat at the table.
A 2022 attempt to legalize sports betting was filed by both the tribal entities in charge of offering legal betting and national operators attempting to establish legal online bets in CA, but neither initiative came close to garnering enough votes to pass. Sports betting, both online and in-person, remains illegal in California.
Updated on : 04/30/2025
CALIFORNIA SPORTS BETTING TIMELINE ⏰
2025 🗓️
- April 2024: FanDuel, DraftKings and the SBA begin discussions about a plan with the 109 tribes in California. It would give control of sports betting in CA to an "entity" that is the 109 tribes combined, who would then contract with the SBA so operators can come to the state.
2023-24 🗓️
- January 2024: Reeve Collins' sports betting initiatives are no longer pursued.
- November 2023: The California Nations Indian Gaming Association votes against Reeve Collins' California sports betting initiatives.
- October 2023: Reeve Collins, CEO of Pala Interactive, files two sports betting initiatives for the 2024 election cycle.
- October 2023: News surfaces that the Pala Band of Mission Indians are considering filing an online sports betting initiative for the 2024 election cycle.
2022 🗓️
- November 2022: As expected, California overwhelmingly voted no on Prop 26 and 27, which would have legalized online sports betting and in-person betting on tribal lands. The chances for sports betting in California are dead for 2022.
- October 2022: The chances for California sports betting legalization continue to dwindle. Major polling ahead of the November 2022 election indicates that California voters will not vote for either Prop 26 or 27.
- August 2022: California Republicans and Democrats announce that they will abstain from voting on at least one if not both ballot measures, the "tribal" and the "corporate" initiatives.
- June 2022: The so-called "California Solutions for Homelessness and Mental Health Act" initiative, backed by giants like FanDuel and BetMGM, officially secured enough signatures to be on the ballot in November 2022.
- May 2022: One referendum spearheaded by local California tribal entities was pulled off the November 2022 ballot, meaning that now only two initiatives would be up for a vote in November.
- May 2022: The political committee spearheading the California Solutions for Homelessness and Mental Health Act referendum announced it has amassed 1.6 million signatures, well over the required amount set forth, and sent them to the California Secretary of State.
- April 2022: Three, count 'em, three referendums make an attempt for the November 2022 ballot.
- February 2022: Taking a look at other states' take from the Super Bowl, California legislators see the missed cashflow as a top reason for legalizing online bets.
- January 2022: Another ballot initiative, California Legalize Sports Betting, gains enough petition signatures to put a vote for legal betting on the November 2022 ballot.
2021 🗓️
- September 2021: A local California horse racing board, as part of the Santa Anita Park at Del Mar Fairgrounds, internally agrees to offer retail sports betting in-person at the track should CA legalize online betting.
- August 2021: The California legislature closes out deals for six tribal groups to have gaming compacts, indicating this legislature's openness to legalizing wagering in some form.
- May 2021: The "Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative" enables voters to indicate their preference for legal sports betting apps in California in November 2022.
BEST CALIFORNIA SPORTSBOOKS: EVENTS AND BETTING MARKETS
Since the sports industry is so large in the state, the potential for having your choice of the best California online sportsbooks is substantial! From the betting markets types of sports betting wagers to the sheer number of California teams to bet on, there will be plenty of options when online sports betting is legalized.
COMMON TYPES OF BETS 💰
The wide variety of sports leaves the market open for a ton of innovation in betting styles. Now that mobile sports betting in the state might become a possibility, there's a new crowd of eager California bettors that might not know their way around the terminology. Here's a breakdown:
Straight Bets 🎲
These are the most common types of bets for sports bettors in the betting industry. When the betting line is set, California bettors would decide whether to bet on the favorite or the underdog. If you choose the favorite, you increase your sports betting odds. However, the favorite has to win the game with a higher number of points than the point spread for you to cash in. If you choose the underdog, they have to win or at least lose by less than the point spread. Therefore, while your betting odds increase when betting for the favorite, so does the burden of requirements.
Total Line Bets 📉
This is also a popular way of mobile sports betting. It’s also pretty straightforward. A number is set for the predicted combined final score of both teams. Then, you would guess whether you believe the actual total will be over or under that amount. It can often be a bet made for half a game in sports like football or basketball.
Moneyline Bets 💸
Mostly used in baseball and hockey, these types of bets can be a risk as they do not involve a point spread. Meaning the amount you have to bet varies whether you choose to bet on the favorite or the underdog.
For instance, if the Yankees are favored to win against the Dodgers, you may see the betting odds described like this: Dodgers (+120), Yankees (-135). This means to bet on the Dodgers, you would only need to put down $100 and you could potentially win $120. Whereas, you would need to bet $135 on the Yankees to win $100.
If you need more information on moneyline betting, read our Moneyline Betting How-To.
If you want to learn about different odds formats, feel free to read our Odds Converter article.
Parlay Bets 🤑
These are probably the highest risk bets out there, but are very popular with sports bettors. They involve grouping together multiple bets together and can often be bets that last an entire season. There is very little room for error in these types of bets because you need to win all of your separate bets to see any money.
For the best parlay betting prep, use our parlay calculator.
Teaser Bets 🌪️
Teaser betting is a bit of a twist on a parlay. It is not as high risk and also not as high reward. Bets are still grouped together like a parlay, but you are able to tweak the point spread in this style of betting. Making it a bit less appealing and a bit more controlled.
Head-to-Head Bets 🤯
These bets are made on non-team sports. In sports such as golf and NASCAR, these bets simply represent which of two competitors will win. Often, a money line will be attached as a way to handicap a race. Though this is a popular style of sports gambling in CA, it’s also a hard bet to make considering the size of the field.
MOST POPULAR SPORTS TO BET ON 🏈
- Football (both NFL and college)
- Basketball (NBA)
- Tennis
- Hockey (NHL)
- Baseball (MLB)
- Soccer
- Golf
- Boxing
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
POPULAR CALIFORNIA EVENTS 🌊
- Auto Club 400 - this is the only NASCAR event held in Southern California. It’s held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana and usually takes place in March. The best California sportsbooks are expected to have lines on this yearly race!
- Vans U.S. Open of Surfing - this is known as the biggest surfing event in the world. It’s held in Huntington Beach over nine days in July/August.
- AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am- this golfing event started in 1937 with an idea from Bing Crosby. It’s a fun event held in February involving golf professionals and A-list celebrities so it draws a huge crowd of in person as well as at home spectators.
- BNP Paribas Open - held in March, this is the largest international tennis tournament other than the four Grand Slams.
- Sea Otter Classic - known as a “celebration of cycling”, this Monterrey based biking event features a wide range of cycling opportunities.
BEST CALIFORNIA SPORTS TEAMS TO BET ON ⛳
Below is a list of the major league teams in California. California has nearly twice the amount of major league teams than any other state. All of them present great betting opportunities once CA sports betting is legal. These California sports teams would become a huge market for California sportsbooks.
Baseball California Sports Teams ⚾
Basketball California Sports Teams 🏀
Football California Sports Teams 🏈
Hockey California Sports Teams 🏒
Soccer California Sports Teams ⚽
- LA Galaxy
- Los Angeles FC
- San Jose Earthquakes
COMMON PAYMENT OPTIONS 🏦
For most states, there are a few common payment methods in online sports betting apps. Here are some of the more popular options.
- Debit/Credit cards
- PayPal
- Prepaid Cards
- Cash at a retail partner’s sportsbook
- ACH/Wire Transfer
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING IN CALIFORNIA ☮️
The California Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) is a non-profit that promotes "promoting awareness, education, research, prevention and treatment for problem gambling" for those in the state.
If you are gaming with online sportsbooks, DFS, casinos or social gaming, please make sure to use our responsible gambling tips.
BEST CALIFORNIA SPORTSBOOKS FAQ
WHEN IS SPORTS BETTING COMING TO CALIFORNIA?
There is no set date just yet for sports betting to launch in California. It may be a long road, but the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) is planning on trying to work with the 109 tribes in California to give them a sole "tribal entity" to have control over betting in CA.
DO YOU WIN REAL MONEY ON DFS IN CALIFORNIA?
Yes, you can win and withdraw real money winnings from DFS games from operators like PrizePicks, Sleeper and Underdog in California.
CAN I USE BETMGM IN CALIFORNIA?
No, you cannot use any legal online sportsbooks in California, including BetMGM. If and when California legalizes online sports betting, that's likely to change.
HOW DO YOU BET ON SPORTS IN CALIFORNIA?
When California sports betting does become legal, betting on your favorite events is simple. Refer to our How To Bet On Sports guides for a step-by-step guide!
IS FANDUEL LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA?
FanDuel is expected to go live with a sports betting platform in CA whenever sports betting goes live. FanDuel DFS is legal in California.
CAN I USE CAESARS SPORTSBOOK IN CALIFORNIA?
When California sportsbooks finally achieve legal status and can offer online sports betting apps, Caesars Sportsbook is likely to be one of the first applicants to secure a license.
ARE THERE ANY SPORTSBOOKS IN CALIFORNIA?
No, California does not have any forms of legal sports betting, in-person or online.
WHAT ARE THE BEST CALIFORNIA SPORTS BETTING APPS?
There are no California sports betting apps to use since sports betting is illegal in CA. Some of the top sportsbooks looking to get into CA one day are FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings and Fanatics Sportsbook. They should have good sports betting apps in CA in the future.
IS BET365 LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA?
Not yet, but efforts to legalize online sportsbooks in California will continue, and bet365 may apply for an online wagering license if and when they become available.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON BETTING IN CALIFORNIA ⚾
Though it’s still unregulated now, sports betting has some great groundwork for legalization. Since other states have been paving the way, there's expected to be a long list of the best sportsbooks in CA.
Bettors are looking forward to the state making sports betting legal and potential future California online sportsbooks. In addition to serving a purpose for vested bettors, legalizing any kind of online sports betting app in CA also stands to bring in tons of tax revenue for the state. A win-win solution!
Stay tuned here at VegasInsider for all the most vital legal sports betting information and news in California.
