California Gambling Laws
What You Need to Know

Online Gambling in California

California has not passed any law to license and regulate online casinos. There are no state-licensed .com or .us online casinos operating in California. However, there is no law that explicitly prohibits residents from accessing offshore gambling sites. Thousands of Californians play at offshore casinos daily without legal issues. These sites are licensed in jurisdictions like Curacao, Malta, and Kahnawake.

We recommend only using reputable offshore casinos with strong security, fast payouts, and good reputations. See our list of top offshore casinos for California.

Land‑Based Gambling

California is home to over 60 tribal casinos offering Class III gaming (slots, blackjack, craps, etc.) under compacts with the state. There are also more than 80 card rooms where players can play poker and certain player-banked games (e.g., pai gow, baccarat). The California State Lottery is also legal.

AB 831 – Sweepstakes Ban (2026)

Assembly Bill 831, effective January 1, 2026, targets sweepstakes casinos that use a "cash sweepstakes" model to circumvent gambling laws. These sites offered free-to-play entries with the chance to win cash prizes. AB 831 requires them to obtain a state gambling license or cease operations in California. Many popular sweepstakes casinos (e.g., Stake.us, Chumba, etc.) have already exited the California market or modified their offerings.

For players, this means traditional offshore casinos (real-money deposits) remain the primary option for online gambling.

Sports Betting & Daily Fantasy

Sports betting is not yet legal in California. Multiple propositions have failed. Daily fantasy sports (DFS) operate in a gray area; sites like DraftKings and FanDuel offer contests to CA residents, but they are not explicitly regulated. Offshore sportsbooks are widely used.

Gambling Age

You must be 21 to enter tribal casinos and card rooms. The state lottery and charitable bingo are permitted at 18.

Legal References & Sources

• AB 831 – Sweepstakes Ban (official text)
• California Lottery
• California Gambling Control Commission

Expert Insight – Michael Johnson

"California has one of the most complex gambling landscapes. While no licensed online casinos exist, offshore operators have filled the gap for decades. AB 831 is a significant shift, but it only affects the sweepstakes model, not traditional offshore casinos. Players should stick to well-reviewed offshore sites with proven payout records."

– Michael Johnson, Lead Reviewer (12 years casino ops, ex‑shift manager Borgata AC)