California’s Gambling Laws
There’s a striking difference between online and offline gambling in the Golden State. Currently, the laws permit land-based casinos, cardrooms, charitable bingo, and state lotteries. Tribal casinos operate under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988) and Proposition 1A (2000). Cardrooms are closely monitored by the CGCC and the Bureau of Gambling Control, and the state lottery is legal under Proposition 37, approved in 1984. Californians can also enjoy horse racing, which is monitored by the California Horse Racing Board. But when it comes to online gambling CA remains rather restrictive. There are no online casino California sites and sportsbooks, and sweepstakes casinos have been banned since January 2026.
Compared with states such as Iowa and North Carolina, California falls in the middle. While real money online casinos in Iowa are also prohibited, sports betting is fully legal and widely available. At the same time, North Carolina is relatively restrictive and legalized sports wagering relatively recently.
Online Horse Betting
Since 1933, wagering on horses has been legal in the state of California and is regulated by the California Horse Racing Board. Due to its popularity, California is also one of only a few states to offer legal online horse betting. Players must be the legal gambling age of 18 and older to participate.
Lottery
The California State Lottery was first approved back in 1984, allowing Californians to participate in Powerball Games and the Mega Millions. Additionally, there are draw games and scratch cards available, regulated by the Lottery Commission. Players must be aged 18 and above to take part in any of the state’s lottery games.
Online Poker
California has a long history as one of America’s most popular poker states, but it does not offer legal online poker for real money. Lawmakers in California have tried to legalize online poker, but unsuccessfully. Currently, the only online poker available for Californians are social and sweepstake casinos that offer pai gow poker and other social casino games.
Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in California?
Real money online gambling in California remains prohibited, and the situation is unlikely to change. Fortunately, locals can still access reputable social casinos to play their favorite games for virtual currency.
When Will Online Gambling Be Legal in California?
In recent years, California has been the site of ongoing debates over whether to extend or loosen its gambling laws for online casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks. Yet tribal nations, private operators, and state authorities each have their own interests and visions, making it difficult to reach consensus.
Timeline:
- November 2022: Voters reject Propositions 26 and 27, which aimed to legalize online poker and expand tribal casino and online sports betting.
- 2023-2024: Minor efforts were made to create iGaming and sports betting proposals, but they didn’t gain significant support.
- Middle of 2025: State legislators introduce Assembly Bill 831, which aims to ban sweepstakes casinos operating under a dual-currency model.
- October 2025: Governor Newsom signs AB 381, making the ban effective as of 2026.
Local authorities continue to negotiate potential changes and solutions to broaden online gambling legislation, but with the sweepstakes casino California ban, the tendency doesn’t look encouraging. The Lucky Gambler team stays up to date with the latest news to share it with you.
Gambling Taxes in California
When playing at real money casinos, buying lottery tickets, or wagering on horse races, Californians should be aware of the taxes they may owe on potential winnings. At the moment, California doesn’t have a state tax on individual casino gambling winnings, but they are still subject to federal income tax (excluding the California State Lottery). When winning more than $1,200 from bingo and slots, or $5,000 or more from a poker tournament, players need to complete a W-2G Form.
The Best Land-Based Casinos in California
While residents are waiting for California to legalize online gambling, they can head to one of the dozens of tribal casinos scattered across the state. In the paragraphs below, we will share our preferred options.
Responsible Gambling
Gambling online should always remain a fun pastime, not a cause of harmful behaviors or addiction. Modern online casinos offer a wide range of responsible gambling measures aimed at keeping this pastime harmless and enjoyable. For example, setting deposit and session limits, reality checks, taking a cooling-off period, and self-exclusion.
If you or your loved ones feel that they can’t solve the problem on their own, there are plenty of useful organizations in California that are ready to help. For example, the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700), California Council on Problem Gaming, and California Department of Public Health. They offer helpful resources, self-evaluation tests, and anonymous phone or text assistance.
Conclusion
In California, players have access to a variety of gambling options, including land-based retail casinos, horse racing, and charitable lotteries. However, the best online casinos, sweepstakes brands, and sportsbooks remain out of their reach, and the situation is unlikely to improve in the near future.
Lucky, social casinos are still allowed, and Californians can claim a generous welcome package at Huuuge, enjoy hundreds of slots at Slotomania, or gamble on the go through a native Gambino Slots app. The Lucky Gambler team continues to monitor the market to give you the most accurate and up-to-date information on the local legislation, rewarding casinos, and game releases.
