Sports betting has exploded in the United States, with several regions taking advantage of the new laws regarding online gambling. American citizens and visitors had to visit Las Vegas for generations to enjoy a sportsbook bet. They did this while watching neighbors in Canada enjoy gambling on the NFL, NBA, NHL, and other fans’ favorites.
But things have changed, and people rush to enjoy their newfound freedoms. In 2018, the White House made a historic ruling to lift the nationwide blanket ban on gambling. It’s now legal in many states to place bets on sporting fixtures, including horse racing, at a land-based sportsbook, betting website, or smartphone app. This changed the sports industry overnight, and bookies can now be found setting up betting kiosks inside football stadiums while handing the top teams lucrative sponsorship deals.
These developments in the online gambling sector have been welcomed by most. But it’s not as simple as opening a betting app on your smartphone and gambling. Unfortunately, there’s a little more to it, and betting still needs to be legal from coast to coast. Some states were reluctant to embrace gambling, warts, and all. California sports betting remains illegal as senators and rulers debate the issue.
Get the info you need
What’s the hold-up, and are things about to change? Can you bet on the new NFL season starting in September while waiting on governors to get their houses in order? These are just two critical questions our team of experts answers on this page.
When betting on sports and risking the wrath of the law, it pays to have the latest information. We’re here to ensure you have everything needed to make sensible, well-researched decisions on betting in California.
Is betting legal in California?
No. That’s the simple answer, and you should refrain from trying to place a bet while in the Sunshine State. Doing so could and likely will land you in hot water. Despite being one of the most active regions of the US in terms of sports teams and fans, betting remains illegal.
Pro-betting groups are working hard behind the scenes to remedy this and have come close in the past. They refuse to give up, but things are unlikely to change in time for the 2023/24 NFL season, which is a shame.
Can I bet with an overseas bookie?
Please don’t try to get around the betting laws in California or any other state, for that matter. In the past, some sports fans used betting apps in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland to get their gambling fix. But this is something we’d never advise.
While the gambling row rages on, lawmakers have updated anti-betting rules to accommodate technological advances. When many laws were made regarding betting, the internet wasn’t mainstream. That left it open to interpretation.
Please don’t attempt to bet or try to find a way to bet when in California.
How do I know which states have legalized gambling?
The list is updated every year with new states legalizing sports betting. Many more continue to debate the matter. It’s unlikely that every state in the US will one-day permit betting, but it does pay to keep an eye on the developments.
If traveling around the country – or even the continent – you can download a betting app and enable geolocation on your device. When you do that, your handset will track your movements and keep you up to date on the betting rules where you are at any moment. Apps update in real-time, so you always have the latest info at your fingertips.
When will things change?
Unfortunately, we don’t have a definitive answer for you. Will betting be legalized in California this year? It’s possible, and many people wish to make it happen but find themselves tied up in red tape.
Changing such a historic rule takes time, as you can appreciate. It’s a long and drawn-out process, but we’ll keep you abreast of the latest developments.
What do I do if I desperately want to bet?
Visit a neighboring state where sports betting is legal. By being inside state lines, you can download a betting app, create an account and start betting.