Short answer: Online gambling is heavily restricted in California. The state does not license real-money online casinos or online poker sites, and most forms of traditional online gambling are illegal under California law.
That said, Californians still gamble legally in several ways. Casino-style gambling is permitted at land-based tribal casinos, while certain betting products like online horse racing are regulated separately. Many residents who want to play casino games online also turn to offshore gambling sites that accept California players, even though those sites are not licensed by the state.
This guide focuses specifically on online casino-style gambling in California. It explains what is and isn’t legal today, how different types of online gambling are treated under state law, and how Californians typically play real-money games today.
For a broader overview of gambling and betting options in the state, visit our main California gambling page: California Gambling Guide.
What you’ll learn on this page:
- What California law considers “online gambling”
- Whether online casinos and poker sites are legal in California
- How Californians play real-money casino games today
- Which online gambling options are legal exceptions
What Counts as “Online Gambling” in California?
When people ask whether online gambling is legal in California, they’re often talking about very different products. Under California law, not all forms of online gambling are treated the same, and understanding these differences is key to knowing what is and isn’t allowed.
Common types of online gambling include:
Because these products fall under different legal frameworks, it’s important to be clear about which type of online gambling you’re asking about. The sections below break down the legal status of each category and explain how Californians typically access them.
Is Online Gambling Legal in California in 2026?
Online gambling is heavily restricted under California law. The state does not license or regulate real-money online casinos, online poker rooms, or online sports betting platforms. Any website claiming to be a “California-licensed” online casino or poker site is misleading.
California permits certain forms of gambling, but most of them are designed to operate in person rather than online. Tribal casinos, card rooms, and the state lottery are all legal, yet none of these offer statewide, real-money online casino or poker play under California regulation.
State regulators have repeatedly warned that real-money online gambling platforms are not authorized in California.
For example, the California Gambling Control Commission warns that online casino gambling is not licensed in California.
California online gambling status snapshot:
- Licensed online casinos: No❌
- Licensed online poker rooms: No ❌
- Licensed online sports betting: No ❌
- Online horse betting (pari-mutuel): Yes, regulated separately ✅
For readers looking specifically at sports wagering laws, the legal situation around online sports betting is covered in more detail in our California sports betting legal guide.
In short, while California has a large and active gambling market, the state has chosen not to legalize or regulate most forms of online gambling. This legal reality is why many Californians look outside the state for online casino-style options, which are discussed in the following sections.
Are Online Casinos Legal in California?
No online casinos are legally licensed or regulated in California. This means there are no state-approved websites where Californians can play real-money slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, or live dealer games under California law.
Real-money casino gambling in California is limited to land-based venues, primarily tribal casinos operating under tribal–state gaming compacts. These casinos can offer slot machines and table games in person, but California law does not currently allow them to operate statewide real-money online casino platforms.
Any website claiming to be a “California-licensed online casino” or suggesting it operates legally under California regulation should be treated with caution. California does not issue licenses for internet-based casino gambling, and state regulators have consistently stated that online casinos are not authorized within the state.
- There are no legal online slot sites licensed by California
- There are no legal online blackjack or roulette platforms regulated by the state
- There are no California-approved live dealer casino apps
- All real-money casino play authorized by the state takes place in person
Because of these restrictions, Californians who want to play real-money casino games online typically turn to offshore casino sites that accept California players. These platforms are not licensed by California, but they operate from other jurisdictions and
offer online slots, table games, and live dealer options.
The next section explains how these offshore online casino options work, what risks are involved, and what Californians should look for if they choose to play real-money casino games online.
Real-Money Online Casino Options for Californians (Offshore Sites)
Since California does not license real-money online casinos, many residents who want to play slots, table games, or live dealer games online use offshore casino sites that accept California players. These platforms operate outside the United States under licenses from other jurisdictions and are not regulated by California authorities.
Offshore casinos are not the same as California-licensed gambling venues. They do not provide state-level consumer protections, and disputes are handled under the site’s own terms and the rules of its offshore regulator. That said, some offshore casinos have been operating for many years and have built reputations based on game quality, payouts, and
customer service.
Californians who choose to use offshore online casinos should be selective and understand the trade-offs. The goal is not to find a “legal California online casino,” which does not exist, but to identify established offshore platforms that are transparent and reliable.
- Licensed in a recognized offshore jurisdiction with verifiable credentials
- Long operating history and a consistent payout record
- Clear terms and conditions, especially around bonuses and withdrawals
- Multiple payment options, including cards and cryptocurrency
- Games from known software providers with independent testing
- Encrypted connections and basic account security features
Many of the offshore casinos used by Californians are part of broader sportsbook platforms that also offer sports betting, poker, and racebooks. Detailed reviews of these sites, including their casino offerings, payment methods, and known strengths or limitations, are available in our dedicated offshore gambling guide.
Related casino reviews:
Below is a high-level comparison of established offshore platforms commonly used for real-money online casino play in California.
| Brand | Years Online | Casino Types | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada | 10+ years | Slots, table games, live dealer | Large casino library, strong payout history, widely used by California players |
| BetOnline | 25+ years | Slots, table games, live dealer | Long-established brand with consistent withdrawals and multiple payment options |
| BetUS | 30+ years | Slots, table games | One of the oldest offshore operators, straightforward casino offering |
| MyBookie | 10+ years | Slots, table games | Simpler casino selection, commonly used alongside sports betting |
It’s important to start cautiously. New users should deposit small amounts, avoid overly complex bonus offers at first, and test withdrawals early to understand how each platform handles payouts and verification.
Sweepstakes & Social Casinos: New California Ban Explained
Sweepstakes casinos and social casinos have long been marketed as a workaround for players in states without legal online casinos. These platforms typically use virtual currencies or “sweeps coins” that can be redeemed for prizes, allowing operators to argue they are not offering traditional real-money gambling. You can read the AB 831 legislative analysis for the official summary and scope.
In practice, many sweepstakes casinos closely mirrored real online casinos. Players could purchase virtual currency, use it on slot-style games or table games, and then redeem winnings for cash or prizes. This grey-area model attracted a large number of California players looking for online casino-style games without using offshore sites.
That landscape changed in 2025. California passed Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831), a law that targets online sweepstakes casinos that mimic real-money gambling. The legislation focuses on platforms that blur the line between promotional sweepstakes and traditional gambling, especially when gameplay and payouts closely resemble real casino activity.
AB 831 takes effect on January 1, 2026. From that point forward, sweepstakes casinos that operate in a way similar to real-money online casinos face significant legal risk in California. As a result, these platforms are no longer a safe or reliable option for California residents.
- Sweepstakes casinos that closely resemble real online casinos are now prohibited
- Operators may exit the California market or restrict access to CA players
- Players could face frozen accounts or loss of access to balances
- New sweepstakes-style platforms are likely to avoid California entirely
- Social casino games with no cash-equivalent prizes may still exist, but with limits
It’s important to distinguish between social games and gambling. Free-to-play casino-style games that do not allow cash redemption are generally treated differently under the law. However, once a platform allows prizes that function like real money, it risks falling under California’s gambling restrictions.
For Californians seeking real-money online casino-style games, sweepstakes casinos are no longer a dependable option. Players should avoid sites that promise “legal sweepstakes” access while still advertising cash-style payouts, as these claims are increasingly misleading under current California law.
If you want a deeper breakdown of how the sweepstakes ban affects California players and what alternatives exist, see our dedicated guide to sweepstakes casinos in California.
Online Poker, Slots & Table Games – What’s Allowed?
When people ask about online gambling in California, they are often thinking about specific casino-style games such as online poker, slots, blackjack, roulette, or live dealer tables. Under current California law, there are no state-licensed online platforms offering these games for real money.
California permits casino gambling primarily through land-based tribal casinos and licensed cardrooms. These venues operate legally in person, but that legality does not extend to statewide real-money online casino or poker sites.
| Game Type | Legal Online in California? | Where Players Actually Play |
|---|---|---|
| Online slots | No | Offshore casinos that accept CA players |
| Online blackjack & roulette | No | Offshore casinos or land-based tribal casinos |
| Live dealer casino games | No | Offshore casino platforms |
| Online poker | No | Offshore poker rooms or in-person cardrooms |
Some tribal casinos offer mobile or digital features that work only on casino property, such as loyalty apps or limited in-house wagering systems. These are not the same as statewide legal online casinos and cannot be accessed freely from anywhere in California.
Any website claiming to offer “California-licensed online slots” or “legal CA online poker” is misleading. California does not issue licenses for real-money online casino or poker platforms, and regulators have repeatedly warned players to be cautious of such claims.
For players interested in casino-style games, the reality is simple: legal play happens in person at licensed venues, while online play for real money occurs through offshore platforms that are not regulated by the state.
Legal Online Betting That Isn’t Casino (Horse Racing & More)
While most forms of online gambling are restricted in California, there are a few important exceptions that often cause confusion. These products are regulated under different laws and are treated separately from online casinos and sports betting.
The clearest example is pari-mutuel horse racing. California allows residents to place horse racing bets online through licensed advance deposit wagering (ADW) platforms. These services are regulated and operate legally within the state, making horse racing the only widely accepted form of online betting tied to real-world results.
This legal distinction is why Californians can bet on horse races online but cannot legally play real-money casino games or place sports bets through state-licensed apps. Horse racing has its own regulatory framework that predates modern online gambling debates.
Horse racing (ADW)
Legal online through approved platforms, including wagers placed on in-state and out-of-state races
California Lottery
Legal statewide, but most games are purchased in person rather than played online
Cardrooms
Legal and regulated, but focused on poker and card games in physical locations
Charitable gaming
Allowed in limited forms under specific rules and permits
These options are often mistaken for signs that broader online gambling is allowed in California. In reality, they are narrow exceptions that operate under long-standing, product-specific regulations.
If you want a full breakdown of how online horse betting works in California, including where it is permitted and how ADW platforms differ from online casinos, see our detailed guide to California horse racing and off-track betting.
Outside of these limited categories, Californians who want casino-style games online must rely on offshore platforms, which operate outside California’s regulatory system and carry different risks.
Payments & Payouts for California Online Casino Players
For Californians using offshore online casinos, payments and withdrawals work differently than they would in a state-regulated gambling market. Because these platforms are not licensed in California, banking options depend on the casino’s offshore partners and payment processors rather than U.S. state systems.
Most offshore casinos that accept California players offer a mix of traditional and alternative payment methods, including cards and Bitcoin. Availability can vary by site, but the general process is similar across platforms.
| Payment Method | Typical Speed | Fees | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit Cards | Instant deposits; slower withdrawals | Possible processing fees | Easy to use, familiar | Declines are common; withdrawals may be limited |
| Cryptocurrency | Fast deposits and withdrawals | Usually low | Faster payouts, fewer banking blocks | Requires basic crypto knowledge |
| Bank Wire / Transfer | Several business days | Often higher | Higher limits available | Slower and more paperwork |
Many California players prefer cryptocurrency because it typically offers faster withdrawals and fewer declined transactions. Cards can still work, but deposits may be blocked by issuing banks, and withdrawals often take longer or require additional checks.
Regardless of the payment method, users should always review a casino’s terms before depositing. Minimum and maximum limits, processing times, and bonus conditions can vary widely between sites.
A common best practice is to start with a small deposit and request an early withdrawal. This helps confirm that the platform processes payouts smoothly and that you understand any identity verification requirements before committing larger amounts.
Bonus offers can also affect withdrawals. Many promotions come with wagering requirements that must be met before winnings can be cashed out. Players who skip the fine print often run into delays or restrictions they did not expect.
Taxes on Online Gambling Winnings for California Residents
Online gambling winnings are generally considered taxable income in the United States, and this applies to California residents as well. Whether winnings come from offshore online casinos, racebooks, or other gambling activities, players are responsible for reporting them to the IRS.
Offshore casinos typically do not issue U.S. tax forms such as a W-2G. This does not mean winnings are tax-free. The obligation to report gambling income rests with the individual, not the gambling operator.
California may also tax gambling winnings at the state level. How much is owed can depend on a player’s total income, filing status, and other deductions. Losses may be deductible under IRS rules, but only up to the amount of reported winnings and only if proper records are kept.
- All gambling winnings are generally taxable income
- Offshore sites usually do not provide U.S. tax reporting forms
- Players must keep their own records of deposits, withdrawals, and net results
- Gambling losses may be deductible within IRS limits
This page does not provide tax advice. Gambling tax rules can be complex and vary by individual situation. Players with questions about reporting online gambling income should consult a qualified tax professional or review IRS guidance on gambling income.
Staying Safe: Problem Gambling Help for Californians
Online gambling, especially when it’s available around the clock, can make it easy for some players to lose control. This risk can be higher with offshore casinos, where fewer built-in limits or protections may be in place compared to a regulated state market.
Gambling should always be treated as entertainment, not a way to solve financial problems or generate income. If betting starts to feel stressful, secretive, or compulsive, it’s important to pause and seek support.
- Chasing losses or increasing bet sizes to “get even”
- Gambling with money needed for rent, food, or bills
- Hiding gambling activity from family or friends
- Borrowing money or using credit to continue gambling
- Feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling
California offers several resources for individuals who may be struggling with gambling- related harm. Help is confidential, judgment-free, and available even if you’re unsure whether your gambling has become a problem.
If you or someone you know needs support, the following resources are available:
- California Council on Problem Gambling – Education, referrals, and support services for individuals and families affected by gambling issues
- National Problem Gambling Helpline – Confidential help available 24/7 by phone or online chat for California residents
Seeking help early can make a significant difference. Taking a break, setting firm limits, or speaking with a trained professional are all positive steps toward keeping gambling under control.
