Is Sports Betting Legal in California?

Legal Status of Sports Betting in California

California law prohibits sports betting in any regulated form. Residents cannot legally place bets on the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA or other sports via casinos, racetracks or mobile applications. The state has not issued licences for sportsbooks, and betting with offshore platforms remains unregulated and not state-approved.

The only sports-related betting that is explicitly legal is pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. It is available at racetracks like Santa Anita Park and Del Mar, at off-track betting locations and through licensed online racing services. The minimum age to place a horse racing bet is 18.

Why Sports Betting Remains Illegal?

The main reason is the structure of California’s gambling market. More than 60 federally recognised Native American tribes operate casinos under compacts with the state.

These tribes generate substantial revenue and hold strong political influence. They oppose commercial online sportsbooks entering the market without tribal control or economic benefit because it could reduce casino income and weaken tribal sovereignty.

Lawmakers have not reached an agreement with tribal leaders and commercial operators, which prevents any legislation from moving forward.

In 2022, two ballot initiatives attempted to legalise sports betting. Proposition 26 proposed in-person betting at tribal casinos and four racetracks. Proposition 27 aimed to legalise online sports betting statewide through partnerships between commercial operators and tribes.

Both measures were rejected by voters. Despite a combined campaign spend of more than 400 million dollars, neither proposal gained majority support. After the vote, no alternative legislation has progressed to the ballot or through the state legislature.

Available Betting Options in California

Sports betting remains illegal, but Californians still have access to other legal or permitted forms of wagering. The most common options include:

• Horse racing – Fully legal. Bets can be placed at licensed racetracks, off-track betting facilities and regulated online platforms.

• Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) – Legal grey area but widely available. Users enter paid contests by selecting virtual player line-ups and compete for cash based on real statistics.

• Social casinos and sweepstakes betting – Platforms use virtual currency or sweepstakes tokens instead of direct cash wagering. Winnings can often be redeemed for real money or prizes.

• Pick’em-style games – Users predict player performances or match outcomes for fixed payouts. These games are not classified as sports betting under state law.

Daily Fantasy Sports are especially popular. The most widely used platforms include PrizePicks, Underdog Fantasy, SuperDraft, Fliff, OwnersBox Fantasy, ParlayPlay, Dabble Fantasy, Sleeper Fantasy, Boom Fantasy and DraftKings Pick6. These platforms offer player predictions, pick’em contests and fantasy drafts. They operate because California does not explicitly prohibit DFS, and regulators have not taken enforcement action against them.

Since the failure of Prop 26 and Prop 27 in 2022, no new sports betting proposal has reached the ballot. As of October 2025, lawmakers and tribal governments have not agreed on a new initiative, and no vote is scheduled.

Most industry analysts believe the earliest realistic timeline for legalisation is 2026. Others suggest 2028 may be more realistic if tribes decide to propose their own model or agree to a revenue-sharing partnership with commercial operators.

Analysts estimate that a legal online sports betting market in California could generate up to three billion dollars in annual revenue. More than 35 states have already legalised sports wagering, increasing external pressure but not altering tribal opposition.

Public support for legalisation is gradually rising, especially among younger residents. However, without a compromise between the state and tribal governments, no regulatory framework will be introduced.