Top Sportsbooks in California in 2024

California should be the go-to place for sports betting. It has the biggest population in the country at 39 million AND the biggest presence of pro sports teams in the “Big Four” with a whopping 15 pro teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. Unfortunately, that’s not the case because California STILL has sports betting banned across the state — and don’t seem to be budging on it either.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean California bettors can’t get action. Offshore betting sites exist for this very reason — and they work perfectly fine in the state. We’ve tried them and they're a safe and sometimes even better option than licensed sports betting apps. You’re going to want to keep on reading for an in-depth guide to California sports betting!

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Quick California Facts

Is Sports Betting Legal In California?

Sports betting is NOT legal in California. It is one of 12 states that have yet to legalize in the United States.

But it’s not because they haven’t tried to pass a bill. In November 2022, Propositions 26 and 27 ended up on the ballot for California voters. The complementary bills would have legalized sports betting under the rule of local Native-American tribes — which already operate physical casinos in the state. It’s estimated around $500 million was spent by the tribes and others to promote this bill and get it passed.

The result? An overwhelming failure. Prop 26 was voted down by 67 percent of voters. Prop 27 fared even worse, only getting 17 percent of the votes. And with that, California voters made it evident there’s little appetite for legal sports betting among them.

There's been little traction to get betting passed since then, understandably so given how bad the vote was. There’s hope the tribes can sign a compact with the state and bypass a vote altogether together — similar to what the Seminole Tribe did in Florida — but that only if California lawmakers want to go that route. Given how unpopular betting was with voters, that’s a big risk for lawmakers too.

All this is to say California legalized betting probably isn’t happening anytime soon. But again, offshore betting sites are available. Since they’re not based in the United States, they don’t have to abide by the same rules, and thus work perfectly fine in California. As we’ll explain later in this article, offshore betting sites might be even better to use than legally licensed options.

Latest California Legal Betting Updates

Nov 19, 2024 11:46 AM

California tribes are now authorized to sue commercial cardrooms for violating state laws and infringing on their exclusive gaming rights, under the newly enacted Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act

California Sports Betting Timeline

Even without legal sports betting, there’s still plenty of news happening in the state of California around the issue. Here are some recent headlines you should be most aware of:

Best Sportsbooks In Each Category in California

Best overall	Name of Bookie
Best bonuses
Most unique bonuses
Top VIP program
Best reputation
Best sportsbook
Best casino
Best mobile app
Best for new players
Best for high rollers
Best up-and-coming sportsbook

Top 7 California Sports Betting Sites

Here’s a short list of the top 7 offshore sportsbooks for California bettors:

1. BetUS - Extensive range of betting options across multiple sports.
2. Bovada - User-friendly interface and reliable mobile betting experience.
3. BetOnline - Competitive odds and early line releases.
4. XBet - Quick payouts and responsive customer support.
5. BetNow - Generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promotions for regular players.
6. MyBookie - Innovative prop bets and creative wagering opportunities.
7. Everygame - Long-standing reputation and multi-language support for international bettors.

#1 BetUS

Our score: 4.1/5

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Play now on BetUS

Pros

Massive free-play bonuses

Deep betting menu

Cons

7-day expiration on free play

High rollover requirements

BetUS ends up on this list for one major reason: their promotional bonuses. Simply put, no other sportsbook gives out the type of free play they do — and it’s not even close. This free play results in free betting and that’s never a bad idea for a bettor. We can’t possibly mention every BetUS deal cause there are dozens of em. However, we will point out a few popular ones to level-set how much money is at stake playing here. The first is the sign-up bonus, which when maxed out, can reach $2625 in free play. There’s also a referral bonus that can top $6000 in free play. We’ve been around this industry enough to know numbers like these are almost unheard of. Most betting sites might offer $1000 in free play as a sign-up bonus and BetUS almost triples that. Referral bonus? Maybe $200, not an eye-popping $6000. Before you think that BetUS offers are “too good to be true”, we can assure you, these are as legit as they can be. Of course, BetUS is a good all-around platform beyond just giving out free play like candy. Its sportsbook has all the bets you’re probably looking for, and at competitive prices too. A bettor could realistically do all their sports wagering and not miss out on anything. Between the big-money bonuses and the deep sportsbook, BetUS has become our top recommendation for California bettors. It’s hard to go wrong with this site.

#2 Bovada

Our score: 4.3/5

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Play now on Bovada

Pros

Extremely trustworthy

Simple and clean betting experience

Cons

Site looks rather dates

Cheap bonuses

We get it, offshore sportsbooks don’t always have the best reputation. The word “offshore” probably conjures images of wealthy people hiding money and dodging taxes. Certainly, there have been some “bad apples” that’ve done damage to the industry’s reputation. But we’re here to say Bovada is, without question, one of the most truthworthy brands around. Bovada has been around since the early 2010s and has become one of the biggest brands — both in name value and userbase. Ask yourself, would that happen if they weren’t reputable? Of course not. No, it only happens if Bovada provides a top-end service and it does. The key to Bovada’s success is simplicity. The platform is barebones, but that’s not a bad thing. With a straightforward design and user experience, they’ve made using Bovada strictly about the betting. Load times are fast and the site just works like it’s supposed to as a result of it. The sportsbook is well-stocked too. Not only will you find the top sports leagues, but some obscure ones too. Things like cricket, curling, rugby, and more are readily available to bet on here. It’s a one-stop-shop of sorts. We especially recommend Bovada to newbie bettors. That’s because the site is easy to pick up even if you’re new to this online betting thing. Experienced bettors and high-rollers have a place here too, but first-timers will really take a liking to Bovada.

#3 BetOnline

Our score: 4/5

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Play now on BetOnline

Pros

Huge sportsbook menu

Solid promotional bonuses

Cons

Could use more contests

All of the sportsbooks on this list have stocked-to-the-brim betting menus, particularly in sports, or else they wouldn’t make this list. However, among them, BetOnline has the single-best bet selection of all. This is multi-faceted too. First of all, BetOnline might quite literally have the most betting markets of all. Everything we ever needed — from Canadian Football League to Belarusian soccer to ping pong games — seemingly had bets available on here. Everything! It’s honestly impressive. At a certain point, it just gets fun to toss money into some random event for the sake of it. Moreover, all these different sports have many bet types out there for the taking too. Yes, the classic moneyline, spread, and over/under bets are there. However, the real fun is in the prop or futures markets. This is where BetOnline separates itself from the pack with a wide-array to special bets. All these bets, mind you, are offered at bettor-friendly prices. The reality is, these days, betting lines across sportsbooks are near identical. It used to make sense to “line shop” but it’s harder to find value. BetOnline is in line with most other bookies odds-wise, however, if there’s ever a discount, BetOnline is more likely to have it. At the end of the day, California bettors are here to bet on sports and bet on sports some more. When you have as deep a sportsbook as BetOnline, the core essentials are covered.

#4 XBet

Our score: 4.2/5

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Play now on BetNow

Pros

Top-notch betting app

Great live betting system

Cons

Bonuses are pretty vanilla

Could use better casino options

The mobile betting experience has taken over the industry (more on this later). It’s a trend that isn’t going to go away anytime soon either. For this reason, XBet ends up high on our recommendation. Out of all the betting apps we’ve tried, and we’ve tried hundreds, XBet grades out as one of the best. First of all, the app just flat-out looks good. If you’re going to bet on this for a long time, it might as well look good — and it doesn’t on XBet. Many competitors have outdated apps, reflective of their websites that were built in the early 2010s. However, XBet looks not only modern but even forward-looking. Trust us though, the app design isn’t just for cosmetics. No, it’s also for a smooth betting experience. Despite an app jam-packed with bonuses, games, and features, XBet almost always works without a hitch. You can glide around XBet without any type of error or lag whatsoever. Speaking of lag, there’s none of it when betting in-play on XBet. None! This is a rarity in the industry. Look, the mechanics of live betting are harder than most bettors realize — a lot can go wrong when updating odds in a game happening in real time. However, on XBet, the bettor won’t ever realize it because it works even better than it’s supposed to. The last thing we’ll say about XBet is this: it’s going to continue to stay ahead of the curve. And if you’ve been around this industry long enough, you know change or a new trend is always around the corner. We’re confident XBet will adapt with the times, heck, they’ll lead the path to the new horizon. It’s never a bad idea to hitch your wagon to a bookie like that.

#5 BetNow

Our score: 4.2/5

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Play now on BetNow

Pros

Wide-array of promotions

Only sportsbook rebate in the business

Improved in-play betting experience

Cons

Sportsbook odds can be a little pricy than competitors

Promotional bonuses are how BetNow ends up on this shortlist. But unlike BetUS which is all about big money, BetNow goes about their promos more uniquely. First of all, they offer a ton of variety, which is not the norm in this industry. For starters, there are four different welcome bonuses. Most bookmakers offer one and only one — whether you’re a high roller or a complete newb. That doesn’t make sense; but that’s why BetNow offers four distinct ones, each with different max bonuses and rollover rates. That way, bettors can decide what works best for their needs. There are also three reload bonuses and three rebate programs. We want to hone-in on the latter because BetNow is the only sportsbook that we know of that offers a sportsbook rebate. That’s right, a refund on net sports-betting losses. It’s hard to be one-of-a-kind in this copycat industry yet BetNow manages to with this promotion. Outside of unique offers, BetNow presents a good betting platform. Like we’ve mentioned about other sites on this list, the betting menu isn’t lacking — whether that’s sports, casino, or horse racing. It’s hard to ever get bored with this amount of betting options. The last thing we’ll say is BetNow has vastly improved its live-betting experience. Not only are more live bets offered across the major sports and leagues, but more than that, the experience is top-notch. It too rarely lags, even in sports like basketball where the live lines are changing all game long. The improvements made here really round out the site’s playing experience.

#6 MyBookie

Our score: 4/5

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Play now on MyBookie

Pros

Excellent VIP program

Well-stocked casino and sportsbook

Cons

VIP program is invite only

Platform could use a new look

If you end up loving MyBookie, it’ll be because you joined their VIP program. This is really where MyBookie stands out from the crowd. Many betting sites have tried and failed to mimic the “comp” programs you’d find in Las Vegas casinos. MyBookie is one of the few rewards programs that holds its own though. Here’s why it’s such a stand-out program: because it’s not open to just anyone. MyBookie has gone the exclusive route and made the VIP program invite-only. Many bettors will scoff at it, but you can’t provide the benefits that MyBookoe does at scale. What benefits you ask? Most of all, exclusive bonuses — from risk-free bets to free casino spins and a whole lot more. There’s also cashback on betting losses, as much as $1000 on the high end. Prioritized payments are also a thing for VIP members for those quick turnaround times. So how does one go about entering the MyBookie VIP program? Welp, you got to be a consistent bettor. They’re not just going to give away the perks we mentioned above for casual bettors. No, you have to bet there for a long period of time and if we’re being honest, wager with volume. We probably won’t have to remind you, but this is a business and they only want to invest in bettors that’ll return that investment with high volumes.

#7 Everygame

Our score: 3.8/5

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Play now on EveryGame

Pros

Awesome casino

Most soccer/football betting options around

Cons

Mobile app needs some catching up to do

Bonuses don't pay all that much

Everygame was once known as Intertops. When you backtrack that history, it’s one of the most tenured betting sites around. It ends up on this list because it’s a well-rounded experience. A lot of the things we’ve mentioned about the previous sites — diverse bonuses, a large betting menu, a slick mobile app — also apply here. It’s not that Everygame does any of these exceptionally well, but they all have a place on site. Added together, it really makes for a top-end experience. If there is one area in which Everygame stands out to us is in its casino offerings. First of all, there are multiple casinos here, and even a live dealer one. Gaming options are absolutely everywhere, whether you’re on a computer or mobile phone. Casino betting is a perfect complement to the sportsbook. Speaking of which, the Everygame sportsbook holds up pretty damn well too. Everygame is European-based, which means the football (soccer if you’re American) betting selection here is almost second to none. Often, Everygame will marry their promos based on the sport — a double-whammy for football bettors.

Where Are Sportsbooks Like Fanduel, DraftKings, Ceasars?

None of these betting apps are legally allowed to operate in California. Unlike offshore betting sites, these three companies — along with the likes of ESPN Bet and Fanatics Sportsbooks — have to play by the rules, and the rules specifically say they can’t operate in California.

Try the apps on your phone and they’ll geo-block you from betting. Each app has technology built-in that maps exactly where you are. If that tech pins you within state borders, it won’t allow you to lock in a bet. This tech is so that even VPNs can’t bypass it so don’t try to get cute with it.

Latest California Betting News

Nov 21, 2024 06:05 AM

Los Angeles was Ranked the Best Large USA City for Sports Fans...Even without California Sports Betting

Nov 7, 2024 07:59 AM

Tribal Leaders Anticipated California Sports Betting Push in 2026

Oct 17, 2024 10:19 AM

FanDuel Taking More 'Proactive' Approach in Push to Legalize California Sports Betting

Oct 8, 2024 01:05 PM

San Jose Cardrooms Reportedly Unhappy with New Legislation Benefiting California Casinos

Betting On Politics, Esports, And Entertainment In California

Even if betting were 100 percent legal in California, you wouldn’t be able to throw money on outcomes like politics or entertainment in a licensed betting app. You see, when you get a state license, you also get regulated. One of the most common regulations found in the country is that only sports can be bet on.

Thankfully, no such restrictions apply to offshore betting sites. Everything — and we mean everything — is on the betting table here including presidential results, entertainment show outcomes, WWE endings (yes, even though it’s scripted), and more.

Betting Apps In California

These days, bettors prefer to use mobile apps to lock in sports wagers. Apps are easily available on your phone, and make it easy to bet on the move — anywhere and everywhere. Offshore betting sites are riding this trend too, including the seven we mentioned before.

We wrote up a special guide to California betting apps that covers this topic more in-depth. It’s a lengthy topic, which deserves its own guide. Check it out for a full look at mobile betting in California.

Start Betting In California Today — Our Guides

If you’ve somehow landed on this page as an inexperienced (or first-time) bettor, then you’re in good hands.

We have in-depth guides to all things betting. At first, it may seem confusing, but we can assure you, it’s not that bad — especially if you read through our writings. The following five guides are good starting points in your betting journey too:

• Top Betting Tips — want to make money wagering? Read this!
• Best Sports Betting Strategies — the above article is a college 101 class to this one, which take your betting to the next level!
• How Do Odds Work — self-explanatory here, learn everything there is to know about understanding betting odds.
• Types of Sports Bets — a complete primer to the various types of sports betting forms.
• Betting Odds Calculator — calculate how much money a bet or parlay pays out

Payment Methods Available For California Sportsbooks

Offshore betting sites accept a full gamut of payment methods these days — credit cards, debit cards, checks, and crypto. The latter is unique because again, regulated bookmakers can’t touch crypto with a ten-foot pole. Only offshore betting sites support crypto coins.

Here are quick links to more pages on offshore payment methods:

• VISA — the co-most popular card accepted on betting sites.
• Mastercard — the other co-most popular card across the betting landscape.
• Bitcoin — the payment method that'll earn you the most free play.
• Bank wire — the tried-and-true payment method.

California Casinos And Resorts

There are several tribal casinos serving California. A lot! — but then again, the state has a large land mass so they end up spread out, from South to North.

History Of California Legalization Efforts

The progress with legal sports betting in California has been a relatively short journey. Here's how things broke down over the years.

First progress with the amendment in 2020

Within days of the PASPA ruling, California Assembly member Adam Gray announced his desire for a pro-sports betting amendment. Shortly after, California State Senator Bill Dodd joined the movement, planning to shape a bill for inclusion on the November ballot. The first sports betting hearing in California was held in January 2020, and it didn’t seem promising in terms of approval in 2020 at least.
Other states have a different approach toward sports betting. You can check out the full list of US states here.

It’s projected that sports betting in California could be worth $2.5 billion per year (including online betting revenue) in California, which is wild to think that there is even an ounce of hesitation from elected officials. There are a number of great sportsbooks near Los Angeles operating today, which provide a great range of betting markets and very competitive odds.

An initiative backed by 18 Native American tribes wants to limit sports betting to physical casinos and racetracks and ban online gambling in California. This is not a shared viewpoint shared with supporters of online sports betting websites.

2024 and looking forward

It’s assumed that sports betting won’t be legalized until at least 2026 after two ballot measures in favor of sports betting were rejected in November 2022 and then none appeared during the 2024 state legislature meetings So, Californian sports bettors still have a little way to go before they can legally bet on sports in Californian casinos or sportsbooks.

Currently, gambling in the state is regulated and limited to card rooms, tribal casinos, the state lottery, horse racing, and charitable gaming. California has 69 Native American casinos, hosting 70,000 slot machines and more than two thousand table games.
The California State lottery includes Mega Millions and Powerball, which is always well received.

Horse racing is a big deal in California, which is home to Del Mar, Hollywood Park and Santa Anita tracks, making horse betting a huge revenue stream.

California's Tribal Initiatives to Legalize Sports Betting

The last ballot initiative that faced voters in November 2022 was a tribal initiative. It would have allowed for sports betting at tribal casinos and horse tracks throughout the state.
However, one of the major drawbacks of this initiative was that it would not allow for any online sports betting sites to be licensed in the state. Bettors would still have needed to use the same offshore sportsbooks they have been using, but no new ones would be licensed. The timeline set out by this initiative for mobile sports betting would be five years.
The problem is that California is huge, so getting to a tribal casino is not always practical. Plus, it would not extend sports betting to card rooms, which the tribes have argued violate their compacts. With all of this said, a November 2022 online sports betting bill also appeared on the California ballot. Both of these measures were rejected. Fast forward to 2024, and the legalization of California sports betting still appears to be years away.

Betting On California Sports Teams

As we said at the top, there’s no shortage of pro and collegiate teams in the Golden State. All the ones we were about to mention are widely available at the best offshore sportsbooks. Here’s what’s out there:

Betting On California NFL Teams

The NFL commands the most betting action by a large margin. Among the three California-based NFL teams, it’s the San Francisco 49ers that get the most looks. Los Angeles-based Rams and Chargers are getting there, but they don’t have the privilege of calling California home as long as the Niners have.

Betting On California MLB Teams

When it comes to all of California, the most popular team might just be the Los Angeles Dodgers. Therefore, they command their fair share of action in MLB betting. There’s also the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres, and the Los Angeles Angels. The Oakland A’s will soon be leaving the state and going to Las Vegas.

Betting On California NBA Teams

Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings all fight for attention in California. But make no mistake about it, this state is divided in half — Lakers for the South and the Warriors in the North.

Betting On California NHL Teams

Hockey might not seem like a sport that would be popular in a cool-and-sunny weather state like California, but the sport has surprisingly caught on. Here, the LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and the San Jose Sharks all fight for attention and betting dollars.

Betting On California NCAA Teams

There are dozens upon dozens of college programs in California. No way we’re going to name them all, however, just know the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins are the “top dogs” among fans and bettors alike.

Other Types Of Betting In California

As we’ve mentioned, casino betting is legal inside California — so long as it’s done on native-owned casinos. It’s not hard to find these establishments. Inside them, you’ll find a bevy of casino games, from slots to table games. Pretty much everything you’d find in a Las Vegas casino will also be offered here.

Daily fantasy sports betting IS allowed in California too. So technically speaking, DraftKings and FanDuel do operate in California, but not for their sportsbooks.

As for horse-race betting, this too is allowed in California — and actually online too. Several apps, including DraftKings and FanDuel, take in bets for it inside their horse-racing platforms. Of course, horse-race betting can also be done in-person at one of the few racetracks in the state.

California Betting Resources

International Sportsbooks

Read More

Bonuses for International Sportsbooks

Read More

Payment Methods for Non-Regulated States

Read More

California Betting Apps

Read More

U.S. Betting Legislation

Read More

Online Betting Guides

Read More

Sports Betting Rules In Each State

Want a guide just like this for the other 49 states in the United States? We got you! Here are quick links to our most popular guides:

Responsible Gaming In California

Last thing before we let you go: if you’re going to be gambling in California (or elsewhere), please do so responsibly. This should be a fun hobby— not a life-changing issue.

California’s tribal casinos certainly take this topic seriously. By state law, these casinos have to offer a wide-range of features for bettors that lose their track. Features include an ability to self-ban from gaming and posters or signs that give resources (a free hotline, for instance) for those struggling to control their gaming habits, among others.

We sure hope it never gets that bad for you reading this, but just know, help is available if you look for it.

"For those seeking additional resources on responsible gaming, consider these organizations: BeGambleAware, Problem Gambling Coalition, Gambling Therapy, and Addiction Center. You may also find the following websites helpful:

Gamble Aware (https://www.gambleaware.org/)

A non-profit organization providing resources and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.

International Center for Responsible Gaming (https://www.icrg.org/)

The International Center for Responsible Gaming (CRG) is a research institution dedicated to promoting safe gambling practices and addressing gambling-related issues.

24/7 Gambling Support Line (https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/)

A round-the-clock helpline offering immediate assistance and guidance for those experiencing gambling-related problems.

California-specific ones:

California Council on Problem Gambling - https://calpg.org/

An organization to help gamblers escape via a variety of different help channels.

State of California Gambling Help - https://oag.ca.gov/gambling/responsible

A range of helpful documentation and organizations to help gamblers in the state.

National Problem Gambling Helpline - https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/help-by-state/california/ -

A few numbers that can help gamblers find help.