More and more bettors in California are logging on through their mobile devices. This is why we have reviewed and are here to help you connect to the best sports betting apps in California. Sports betting in California has its legal limitations, so we will also cover which sportsbooks you can and cannot use n the Golden State.

Read on to find the best California legal sports betting app and why we chose this list!

Best 5 Sports Betting Apps For California

With so many benefits to using betting apps in California, we knew it was important to include reviews specifically for mobile bettors in California. Here are the top sportsbooks that made it through our intense review process:

1. BetUS

The BetUS sports betting app is a great choice for bettors in the Golden State. They cover extensively all the betting markets that are most important to California bettors. Fans of the San Francisco 49ers will immediately recognize them as a top NFL betting site.

But it takes more than covering top sports to make our list. They also dive deep into many other more obscure sports. This is truly a fun sportsbook where you can explore new interests.

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Enjoy these odds, as BetUS updates them quickly, which is a top priority for mobile bettors. Anyone using a sports betting app in California is likely to want their odds updated regularly. This is one of the biggest benefits of using a mobile sportsbook.

Another area where BetUS shines are bonuses. There might be another app that offers bigger deals than BetUS. We're talking offers that easily go into the thousands of dollars range. Imagine the free betting you can have with that type of money?

Most BetUS bonuses hinge on two things — creating an account and depositing money into it. Each can easily be done right from the app as BetUS has designed the process to be as hassle-free as possible. With a few thumbs on your phone, this bonus can be had in a few short minutes.

App Pros & Cons

  • Big betting menu
  • Industry-leading bonuses
  • 7-day expiration period on free play
  • High rollover requirements

Final Verdict: 9.5/10

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2. BetOnline

The BetOnline sports betting app is super easy to navigate. It has an aesthetic design that is not only nice to rest your eyes on, but a breeze to use. If you are worried about getting lost among the odds, have no fear with this California betting app.

Having a mobile-first design priority is an important criterion for our reviews. It is also the latest in design theory. As mobile bettors are more and more numerous, and mobile design is a bit more finicky, it makes sense to design everything with them in mind.

BetOnline California

To sign up, just click the link we provide below to access their mobile site. It will automatically optimize to your particular mobile device. No worries. Once you make your first deposit, you can start betting right away!

App Pros & Cons

  • Easy sign-up process
  • Mobile-friendly experience
  • Bonuses are rather cheap

Final Verdict: 9.4/10

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3. Bovada

Bovada is a household name in the industry and among the most trusted. If you are looking for brand with a sterling reputation, then this is the sports betting app for you.

They have earned this reputation by having a well-rounded mobile sportsbook for years and years. You can find a number of great odds, enjoy a generous welcome bonus, and be sure that their payouts will be speedy.

Bovada California

Signing up is easy! There is no need to download another app. You can just open your browser on your mobile phone, click the link we provide below, and from there sign up. Do not forget to claim your welcome bonus when you make your initial deposit.

Bovada's app is also super fast. We trialed it both using a WiFi and cellular data connection, and it passed all our tests with flying colors. This reliability is huge when betting on the move.

App Pros & Cons

  • Reputable app
  • Fast load times on the app
  • Dated look compared to other apps

Final Verdict: 9.2/10

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4. XBet

XBet’s big advantage over other California apps is the mobile experience. It’s simply a cut above the rest — and that’s a big thing as more and more betting is done on the go.

For starters, it’s cake to access the XBet mobile app. Unlike other bookies, there’s no app that needs to be downloaded from an App Store. All a bettors needs to do is pull up XBet from their phone's web browser and boom, you have access to every and all XBet bets.

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As someone who’s used both the XBet mobile app and the regular website from a laptop, we can assure you it’s a seamless experience between the two. At times, apps might lose a feature here and there, but that’s not the case at XBet. Besides the smaller screen size, it’s hard to tell any difference whether you’re gambling on your phone or a “real” computer.

Perhaps the most stand-out feature of the XBet app is the live betting system. This feature just flat-out works like it’s supposed to — quick load times and little to no lag. In our first-hand experience, XBet’s live odds kept up with real-time games quite well, which is mission-critical when betting in-play.

One last note on XBet: they’ve packaged their app in a slick “wrapping.” We’re talking about the design here and XBet certainly looks and feels more modern than many counterparts in the industry. All this goes to show you how ahead of the curve XBet is on the modern-day betting experience between mobile support and even the aesthetics too.

App Pros & Cons

  • Elite live betting feature
  • Slick-looking app design
  • Casino needs to be beefed up games-wise

Final Verdict: 9.1/10

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5. BetNow

BetNow has elements of what we liked out of the other betting apps featured on this list. That makes it a pretty darn good all-around betting app that works for most bettors.

First of all, BetNow has a unique approach to bonuses. They offer a variety of ‘em rather than just one. This creates options as a bettor and that’s half the battle. At BetNow, there are four different welcome bonuses, three reload deals, and three rebate programs.

Elsewhere, the BetNow app is very slick. It’s a bit of a simplified experience, but we mean that very complimentary. BetNow doesn’t muddle the betting experience. Most bettors, even newbies, can pick up the app and start wagering with little friction.

Betnow California

Live betting, in particular, shined while using the BetNow app. Here again, it’s a clean experience. That’s critical mid-game when even a few seconds can swing your live bet in a sport like basketball where points are constant.

Most of the major sports and leagues have in-play betting on the BetNow app. So that’s your NFL, NBA, and MLB namely. We’d like to see smaller sports get the same feature, but that could come in time as the live betting market matures since it’s not just BetNow that lacks support, but it’s more of an industry trend.

So again, BetNow has a little something for everyone inside its app — whether you’re a “high roller” or a complete first-timer. Watch out for this app because it’s trending up.

App Pros & Cons

  • Multiple bonus options
  • Crafty in-play betting experience
  • Bonus payouts could be better

Final Verdict: 9/10

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Most Exciting Sports Betting Markets in California this Month

To keep you updated on the hottest betting markets this December and into early January, we’ve compiled a brief list of the most thrilling betting lines and upcoming events:

  • Champions League Group Stages
  • NBA 2024/25 Season
  • NCAAF and NCAAB 2024/25 Season
  • UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan

Legal Status of Sports Betting App in California

Right now, online sports betting apps are not allowed to be based in California. Casinos are a big industry in the state, and they are reluctant to release any hold they may have for now on the market.

Despite voter rejection of 2022's sports betting ballot measures, legalization in California hinges on tribal approvals. The tribes prefer a phased approach, prioritizing in-person betting before online platforms. As a result, statewide mobile sports betting likely won't launch until 2026 or later, with retail casinos being the initial access point for an undetermined period.

Which California Betting App Is The Best?

The word “best” is tricky. Tricky because what may be the best for you as a bettor isn’t the best for a different kind of player. You know how they say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”? Welp, the same goes for the best sportsbook. Best is in the view of the beholder.

What we will say is that the BetUS app is one of the best apps in California. If we could only recommend one app, it would probably be this one. That’s for reasons we already covered above, namely BetUS' deep selection of bets and bonuses. Ultimately, that’s what matters most — getting free money to play with and having an abundance of bets at your disposal.

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Why Are BetMGM, Ceasars, FanDuel Betting Apps Not On Our List?

This is one is easy: those apps didn’t make the list because they are banned in California. This will remain the case until the day sports betting is legalized inside the state — which at this point, feels very distant. None of those apps can risk their state licenses elsewhere so they’ll stay far away from the Golden State until things change.

As we mentioned before, the only way to get online sports betting action is via offshore apps. These work perfectly fine within state borders and better yet, they are top-notch experiences, particularly at the five we mentioned. Give 'em a look if you want to bypass California’s rules.

Sports Betting Apps In Other States

You got the full scoop on California betting apps, but what about others? We have detailed guides elsewhere too. Here's some quick links to them: