Is Online Sports Betting Legal in California?

San Jose Sharks

• League: National Hockey League
• Founded: 1991
• Stadium: SAP Center
• Location: San Jose, CA
• Betting Partners/Sponsors: TBD

The San Jose Sharks were founded in 1991 as the NHL’s lone expansion team for that season. They became the first NHL team located in the Bay Area since the California Golden Seals moved away to Cleveland in 1976 and would spend their first two seasons playing at the Cow Palace before moving into the SAP Center in 1993. From that point forward, “the Shark Tank” would host all of the franchise’s home games, resulting in six division championships between 2001-2011, a Presidents’ Trophy in 2008, and the organization’s only Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2016 – a loss to Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have one of the most storied histories of any NBA franchise, winning 17 championships overall. The most recent title came in 2020 behind the exploits of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Meanwhile, the long list of Lakers Hall of Famers includes Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.

You’ll be able to make the same futures bets on the Lakers, as well as regular moneyline, spread and totals bets on individual games once sports betting comes to CA. You’ll also be able to bet player props on whether James or Davis might win MVP.

California Gambling Landscape

California is a curious state when it comes to gambling laws. The largest US state by population allows card rooms to operate legally, though they cannot have any gambling machines. However, you can visit one of the tribal casinos in California to play machines.

The Golden State also allows a player to find many gambling options, including online casinos. You can have charitable gambling, live and simulcast racing wagering, card rooms, and lottery.

If you want to play slots or video poker, you can visit your nearest tribal casinos. Soon, you will have legalized sports betting – if the state voters approve it on the November ballot.

Forms of gambling that are allowed in California include:

• Charitable
• Commercial
• Lottery
• Pari-Mutuel
• Racetracks
• Tribal

Several legislative efforts to regulate online poker and other forms of online gambling in California have failed in the past. However, legal online sports betting might soon become a reality if the state voters approve it on November’s ballot. At least two ballot initiatives reached enough signatures for this November ballot. The residents will be able to choose between the following:

• Retail sports betting, limited at tribal venues
• Statewide mobile wagering through partnerships between commercial operators and state tribes.

Will I be able to play 7 Card Draw Poker online in California?

YES. Most online poker rooms offer 7 Card Draw Poker and those that reside in the state of California are able to access cash games, sit’n’go’s and 7 Card Draw Poker tournaments online.

Card Rooms in California

The card rooms in the state are different because they do not have a house edge. The card rooms charge a flat fee per hand to the players and do not have a house edge as it is legally prohibited. In this, the players can theoretically take turns offering to “bank” the game. The card room itself gets its per hand fees from all the participants, including the one banking.

Live poker is basically a player-banked game, so the card rooms in California take a rake of the poker pots just like in any poker room in the rest of the country.

There are tribal establishments in California that work under an arrangement with the state by means of pacts. These tribal establishments differ from the card rooms in that they allow machines and electronic gambling devices, whereas the card rooms are limited to table games and poker.

One interesting – and also confusing – thing about the card rooms is that they choose to identify as “casinos”—for instance, the Bicycle Hotel & Casino.

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When will sports betting launch in California?

No sooner than 2023, and likely later than that. The two initiatives on the November 2022 ballot would allow some form of sports betting in California if passed. But it would likely take many months before the first sportsbook could appear in California.

Gaming industry analysis firm Eilers & Krejcik predicts neither measure has a better than 50% chance of passing. The tremendous war of words and advertising between supporters on both sides is likely to confuse and deter voters from lending their support to either measure.

If both measures pass in November 2022, their passage might not be complimentary. The online measure contains language stating that it is not in conflict with the retail measure and can work in concert with it, but there is no guarantee that the tribal groups will have the same opinion. In fact, they would likely challenge Prop 27 in court if it happens to pass. There is no guarantee the lawsuit would be successful, but the possibility is there.

Cryptocurrencies

One of the best options to go for when it comes to depositing at an online poker room, is to use a cryptocurrency. There are so many cryptocurrencies available to use these days, including popular options like Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin and Dash, to name but a few.

Because cryptocurrencies aren’t attached to any sort of central financial institution, the UIGEA law can’t have any sort of effect on them. This means that you can readily deposit and withdraw via any supported cryptocurrency. Due to this, multiple online poker rooms have taken the decision to start supporting such payments.

Interesting Figures Regarding the State

Did you know that Fallbrook, California is the “Avocado Capital of the World” and holds an annual festival? Have you heard that the largest tree in the world is 275 feet tall and is located in the Sequoia National Park? The Golden State is full of interesting details and fun facts, but apart from them we’ll have a look at the most important statistics of legal gambling in the state of California below:

Famous for its sports teams and summer atmosphere, California is a great state for those who want to permanently feel in vacation mode and experience the west side culture of the United States. However, the Golden State is one of the biggest in the country, and its influence in gambling is expected to grow in the future. We hope that sunny California will become one of the best places for gambling in the United States!

California Sports Betting: Online Wagering Initiative Set for November Ballot

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

All betting content on NJ.com is written exclusively by Catena Media, which provides expert analysis, reviews, bonuses, and tools for sports bettors and casino players. Please wager responsibly.

California sports betting currently remains illegal, which means there are no CA online sports betting sites or retail sportsbooks in the state. However, Californians will get to vote on a couple of sports betting ballot initiatives this November.

If the votes on either Prop 26 or Prop 27 are favorable, sports betting could come to the Golden State sooner than later. For now, CA sports fans can play daily fantasy sports with multiple sites available for California DFS players. Here are the best daily fantasy sites available for Californians:

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games are the perfect mix between online and land based gaming. Our California online casinos deliver a deluxe Vegas experience straight to your device.

BEST CALIFORNIA SPORTSBOOKS

*These operators are expected to go live once California legalizes commercial sportsbooks.

FANDUEL

FanDuel has both an online sportsbook as well as a daily fantasy app and site. Since fantasy bets are legal in California, there is a strong chance that Fanduel will expand once California laws are finally drawn.

Are there casinos in California?

God, yes. There are no fewer than 66 casinos operating in California, according to the California Gambling Control Commission. The 66 locations owned by 60-plus tribes are the third-most of any state, behind Nevada and (shockingly) Oklahoma. All of these casino locations in California are tribal — there are no commercial casinos in the state.

So, instead of trying to list every single casino in the state, we decided to list the biggest and brightest of the pack. Below, you will find blurbs about the five top casinos in California. Please note that there are several casinos that could have made this list. We ended up using a combination of gaming square footage, number of slot machines and tables, and any extra facilities to inform our selection. If your favorite casino isn’t listed here, it might have just missed the cut.

DraftKings in California

Starting out in the world of fantasy sports can be overwhelming. If you’ve been playing in fantasy sports leagues for years, you are likely used to it lasting for the whole season. However, DraftKings hosts daily and weekly contests that are an entirely new experience. That being said, DraftKings is the favorite site of many for its simplistic set-up and ongoing promotions.

Major sports betting brands eye California

Later that month, a third initiative was filed by three of the nation’s most notable sports betting brands in BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Aside from those three, the proposal was also backed by Bally’s, Fanatics, Penn National/Barstool Sportsbook, and WynnBET. The initiative, known as the California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act, would need at least 997,139 signatures in order to get on the ballot. On top of that, any initiatives that wish to appear on the November 2022 ballot would need to be qualified by the Secretary of State no later than June 30, 2022.

The proposal included a staggering $100 million initial fee for big-name operators, which would cover the brand’s first five years in California. Tribes on the other hand, would only be required to pay $10 million upfront if entering the industry without any partners. Commercial operators would be subject to a $10 million annual renewal fee, while the tribes would need to ante up $1 million per year. In order to apply, any commercial operator must already offer digital sports betting in at least 10 other states, leaving little room for smaller brands to compete. Lastly, under this proposal, tribes would be permitted to offer mobile sports betting through a back-end operator.

Overview

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The No on 26 committee says wealthy tribes are looking to game the system to gain unprecedented gambling income and political influence.

Rob Stutzman, a spokesman for the No on 27 committee, warned that up to 90% of the profits from the proposal could go to the gambling companies and "you know a measure is bad news when both the Democratic and Republican parties oppose it.”

Despite being portrayed as a state of carefree living, California has some pretty tight restrictions around gambling and casinos. The sunshine state also has a very long and complicated history with this specific recreational activity, resulting in most residents unsure whether they can participate in it. To help clear some things up, today we’ll be giving our readers a quick lesson in the history, law and current legal status of gambling in California. If this is something that you’re interested in, we hope we can provide you with some helpful guidance.

The History of Gambling Laws in California

For many decades, gambling in California has been a contentious issue. People were both for and against the activity being made legal. This was particularly problematic when it came to Native American gambling. Casinos were being opened exclusively on tribal land in California because of its rich legacy in Native American history. Tribal gambling also boosted the economy, increased tourism, reduced unemployment, and preserved indigenous tribes’ independence. In 2019, it was recorded that 63 casinos were being operated by Native American tribes, generating around $6 billion in revenue every year.

Recognizing that the demand for gambling in California was not going to cease, eventually, a law was passed in 1984, which allowed gambling establishments to be created. Of course, there were very strict restrictions and legislation surrounding these establishments. They include things like Cardrooms, Horse Racing betting, Charitable Organizations (i.e., raffles) and the state lottery. These industries collectively generate billions for the California economy every year. Interestingly, betting on horse races was first legalized in 1933. Six tracks were allowed to be built and people could wager money using off-track establishments.

Regarding online gambling, it took several years for this to be legalized in California. Still, nobody in the state can own or operate an online casino which deals with real money. People can only play by outsourcing to online casinos from other countries or states. These virtual establishments must also be licensed and regulated by the government to ensure safe and responsible gambling. Unfortunately, if anything were to happen to you when using these online casinos, Californian laws would not protect you. In 2012, a proposal was given to the California senate to regulate online poker, but this proposal was unsuccessful. People tried again in 2014 but were met with the same response.

Legal Gambling Activities in California

You’re now probably wondering what specific gambling activities are legal in California. So, let’s have a look and break everything down.

● Card Games

Card games consist of things like poker and blackjack. They are currently legal in California, but only when played in a legalized Cardroom which is regulated by the government. Cardrooms make their income by charging people a fee to play the games, which usually comes in a 5% rake form.

● Slot Machines

Slot machines are currently illegal in California unless they are antique slot machines that are over 25 years old. Even then, they must never be used when gambling for real money. However, slot machines do appear to be legal when played on tribal land.

● Sports Betting

People can engage in sports betting in California, but you cannot accept bets or start bookmaking. For those who aren’t aware, bookmaking is the act of determining odds, receiving bets and paying off bets when it comes to gambling money on the outcome of sports events. Regarding online sports betting, this activity is completely illegal in California, though some people decide to use offshore websites to do so.

● The Lottery

There are a couple of different lotteries in California, such as the Mega Millions. Rather than using these lotteries for net revenue, however, the state holds these events to generate money which goes towards education. This information is stipulated in the California Government Code.

● Racing Betting

Racing betting consists of wagering an amount of money on the outcome of a dog race, horse race, ectara. The rules surrounding this form of gambling are a little murkier in California. Essentially, racing betting can only legally occur in the state if the betting is pari-mutuel. This means that the bets are pooled together, then taxes and track fees are removed from their overall value. The leftover pool of cash is then divided between the winning players. Unlike other states in the USA, dog racing in California is illegal.

● Bingo Games

Bingo is a popular recreational activity in countries like the United Kingdom, but it’s much different and a point of contention in the United States of America. Though bingo is technically legal in California, it can only be carried out by charitable organizations or tribal casinos. For instance, charities will hold an annual bingo game to provide funding for their causes, but no cash prizes can be rewarded to the winners.

● Social Gambling

Social gambling is completely illegal in California. In fact, anyone caught doing so could be fined up to $1000 and spend six months in jail. Social gambling activities include things like roulette, rouge et noire, fan-tan, and so on. It’s not worth taking a risk with this rule.

● Draw Poker

Strangely, the California state will allow draw poker to occur, as long as the county’s population does not exceed over 4 million residents. The California law states that, otherwise, draw poker constitutes a special problem.

● Online Gambling

As we mentioned before, online gambling is technically illegal in California if the website is being operated from the state. However, you can participate in online gambling by going to offshore websites that are licensed and legal. There have also been no reports of anyone being arrested for using online gambling websites in California.

This is the bulk of the history and law surrounding gambling in California. Ensure you’re well-versed in these rules and regulations to make sure you are playing safely, legally and responsibly.

Californians will see two competing measures on the ballot this November that could legalize the multi-billion dollar industry of sports gambling.

A 'yes' vote on Proposition 26, called the Tribal Sports Wagering Act, would allow sports betting at tribal casinos and licensed race tracks.

Profits would be taxed at 10 percent, and revenue generated would go toward enforcement of sports betting (15%), programs for problem gambling and mental health (15%), and the state's general fund (70%).

"People...will have to show ID," said Kathy Fairbanks, a spokesperson for Yes on Prop 26. "Someone will match their ID with the face and we can ensure that people who are gambling are all of legal age."

A 'yes' vote on Proposition 27 would legalize sports betting online.

Revenue generated would be taxed at 10 percent and would go toward housing for homelessness and mental health support (85%) and funding for non-gaming Indian tribes (15%).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpmZApcxye4

Three California tribes have endorsed the corporate online gaming measure, which is sponsored in part by out-of-state sports betting corporations Draft Kings and FanDuel.

Dozens of other tribes have endorsed the in-person tribal measure.

So what if both initiatives pass?

"The simple answer is whoever gets the most votes wins," said Ian Imrich, a SoCal attorney whose firm focuses on gaming and entertainment.

Imrich said the real question if both measures pass is whether they conflict with each other.

Nathan Click, a spokesperson for the online betting initiative, said they don't conflict.

"It works very simply," Click said. "Theirs is in-person, ours is online. There's nothing in the two measures that conflicts with each other."

That means if both measures pass but the online initiative gets more votes, sports betting would become legal both online and at casinos.

But if the tribal initiative gets more votes, it may not be as clear cut.

News Channel 3 asked the tribal measure's spokesperson if the two measures are in conflict with one another.

"I can't answer your question directly. I wish I could. I can't," Fairbanks said.

Experts say if that's the case, tribes could sue and argue the measures do conflict with each other.

"In that scenario, with the tribal gaming initiative having more votes, I think they would go to court and seek an injunction or other procedural and legal remedies to say, 'Only the tribal membership pass because it conflicts,'" Imrich said.

Sound confusing? Policy experts say voters lacking understanding can lessen the likelihood of measures like these becoming law.

"If they're going to be confused, they're going to take a pass and they're going to vote no," said Mark Baldassare, president and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California.

Baldassare said only one in three California ballot initiatives historically have passed.

"The default is to vote no," he said.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent on both sides of these campaigns. This is a breakdown of fundraising:

Ohio

Approved, awaiting further action by regulators

Ohio is another sports-crazy state that’s behind in legalizing sports gambling, especially given the action in many of its Midwestern neighbors.

But late in 2021, Ohio legislators passed an online sports betting bill and Gov. Mike DeWine approved it.

Some had hoped betting would start in time for the 2022 NFL season, but in May regulators announced all forms of betting will go live Jan. 1, 2023.

Cardrooms[edit]

Licensed cardrooms may offer approved card games in which players vie against each other (rather than against the house), such as poker.[1] As of 2019, there were 66 cardrooms operating in the state (and another 21 licensed but not operating).[2] Since 1995, there has been a moratorium on new cardrooms.[3][4] The industry generated $850 million in revenue after payouts in 2018.[3]

Non-banked card games such as poker have always been legal in the state.[5] The California Penal Code, enacted in 1872, prohibited several casino games by name, as well as all house-banked games, but did not outlaw poker.[6] Cardrooms also operate non-banked versions of card games such as pai gow poker and baccarat, where players can take turns playing the dealer hand against the other players.[7] However, in these cardrooms, an independent operator known in state law as a "third party provider of proposition services" usually acts as the "house" and the casino earns revenue on a fee charged to the proposition service provider and fees charged to players to play a hand.[8][9][10] Statewide cardroom regulations were enacted in 1984.[11] In 1997, the Gambling Control Act was adopted, which created the California Gambling Control Commission to regulate California cardrooms.[11]