California is an exercise in frustration. Legal sports betting simply cannot get going in the Golden State. Most recently, a proposed ballot initiative failed to gain enough signatures to make it onto the ballot.
Sports betting on the Internet can be a thrilling experience for anyone. If you want your sports betting experience to go off without a hitch, however, you need to find the right website. Thankfully, the Internet is home to quite a few appropriate sites that can provide users with top-notch experiences.
Past efforts for sports betting legalization have stalled without ever making it out of the legislative process. Time is also running exceedingly short for the measure to pass through the needed committees and be the subject of a full vote.
Moreover, the state’s powerful tribes — which generate approximately $8 billion annually – would potentially be in opposition to the legalization of sports betting as a form of gaming expansion within the state. Notably, various pieces of online poker legislation have experienced an abundance of opposition from the tribes over the last decade in California for similar reasons.
The possible launch date for legal California sports betting is unknown at the moment. There are two ongoing initiatives presently under consideration, both involving the state’s Indian tribes.
The first would legalize sports wagering at land-based Indian casinos and horse racing tracks exclusively. This plan would not include online/mobile wagering for the foreseeable future. This initiative is being advanced by the tribes themselves.
The second effort stems from the state’s legislature. Under that plan, online/mobile wagering would be made available on platforms affiliated with the tribal casinos and racetracks. This plan is opposed by the tribes because it would also allow the state’s cardrooms to continue offering the house-banked card games the tribes feel infringe on their exclusivity.
It’s possible that either or both measures are put on the ballot as early as in November 2020. However, for that to become reality, each will have to qualify for the ballot by June 25. The tribes’ initiative suffered a setback in their already advanced signature collection efforts for the ballot when the coronavirus pandemic led to widespread stay-at-home orders.
A lawsuit filed by the tribes with the Superior Court of the State of California on June 9 seeks to obtain an extension on the timeline needed to gather and verify the necessary signature to qualify the measure for the ballot this November.
There currently is no legal sports betting framework in California, although there are two initiatives under consideration.
At the moment, there is no legal sports betting framework in California. Depending on which of the two competing initiatives eventually passes via voter referendum, bettors will either be limited to placing sports bets at Indian tribe brick-and-mortar casino locations and racetracks (the tribes’ initiative) or through online/mobile platforms associated with Indian tribe casinos and racetracks (legislative initiative).
There is currently no legal sports betting in California. However, based on other gambling-related activities in the state, it would be reasonable to expect that bettors will have to be at least 21 years of age to place a bet whenever wagering is legalized.
With no legal sports betting currently available in California, there is naturally no set policy and procedures in place for establishing a betting account in California.
However, following the model of other states, it’s expected that bettors will have to provide the following basic information to open an account:
Sports betting is not yet available in the state of California, and it remains to be seen if the initiative that allows online wagering will be the one that eventually is codified into law.
If online/mobile wagering is eventually available in California, it’s reasonable to expect that operators will offer the conventional withdrawal methods they typically make available in other states where legalized betting is already available.
These methods include:
However, if sports betting is limited to brick-and-mortar locations, then withdrawal options may be limited to checks or in-person withdrawals on site at sportsbooks.
Sports betting is not yet available in the state of California. If the measure being advanced by state’s Indian tribes is the proposal that is eventually voted on and passed, there would not be online wagering allowed. All bets under that plan as currently proposed would have to be made in person at the tribes’ brick-and-mortar casinos.
If the measure being advanced by the legislature is the one eventually voted on and passed, online wagering through platforms associated with tribal casinos and racetracks would be available. In this instance, bettors would physically have to be located within California – as verified by geolocation technology – in order to place a wager.
Naturally, it will be in the best interest of sportsbooks to offer competitive odds once sports betting is legalized in California. A principal factor will be what kind of tax rate and licensing fees operators are expected to pay under a legal sports betting framework.
If and when sports betting is legalized in California, it is expected that operators will be able to offer wagering on all major sports, as is the case in all other states already offering legalized wagering. That includes the following sports/leagues:
Should the state pass legal sports betting legislation, betting on the following teams, in addition to the major colleges, will likely be permitted:
If and when sports betting is legalized in California, it is expected that bettors will have access to the following types of wagers:
There is no specific indication at this point that in-game wagering and live betting will be prohibited under either of the active sports betting proposals in California. However, there’s always the possibility that outlook is altered before either measure is put up for a voter referendum.
It remains to be seen what companies/operators would be part of California’s sports betting market. If the initiative advanced by the tribes were to be the one that is codified into law, there would be no online sports betting options in California. As such, there may be a more limited number of companies involved in the market partnering with the tribes to run their brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
However, if the legislative effort is the one that is eventually passed by voters, online/mobile betting would be made available to California residents. Under that scenario, there would be a substantial number of companies interested in entering the market, including:
Without an official legal sports betting framework in place, there is no set breakdown of how tax revenue from sports betting would be allocated within California.
If the model from other states is generally followed, the bulk of the revenue will naturally go into California’s coffers, with small percentages potentially going toward problem gambling initiatives or administrative costs related to the oversight of the industry within the state.
Eilers and Krejcik project the legislative initiative would produce $503 million per year in revenue for the state when the market is fully mature, including $282 million during the first six months when factoring in expected licensing fees. Meanwhile, the tribes’ plan, which would not include online wagering, is projected to bring in approximately $200 million per year.
Sports betting in California is finally on the cards and is expected to be FULLY legal by the end of 2020. That’s amazing news, huh?!
Like you, I’m pretty damn excited. I’m a frequent sports bettor in the U.S. who’s been championing the legalization of sports betting in our great country for years. With sports betting expected to be legalized in California by November 2020 at the latest, I’ve been busy road-testing the best sportsbooks in preparation for what’s to come.
In this article, I’m going to look at the 5 top sportsbooks that are expected to hit California this year. I’ll also be discussing what California sports betting’s future looks like, what casinos you can currently bet at, and I’ll answer your most popular questions about California sports betting.
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Betting in California isn’t legal just yet – but it’s coming.
Almost half of America has legalized sports betting, which paves the way for California – arguably one of the country’s biggest sports markets – to do the same.
As of the time of writing, sports betting is well and truly on the November 2020 ballot, after the California tribes managed to get enough signatures to validate their petition. As such, I fully expect sports betting in California to launch by the end of 2020.
Betting on sports is super simple.
The first thing you need to do is pick a sportsbook that meets your needs. I’ve listed the top 5 California sportsbooks in the above section, with Bovada being my top pick.
Then, just create an account and make your first deposit.
The next step is to take a look at the sporting events that are currently offered by the sportsbook. If something catches your eye, take a closer look at the bets that are offered. Then, take a closer look at these bets – who do you think will win? What are the odds like? Is there value to be had?
Then, decide what type of bet you want to have. I’ll be covering the types of bets a little later in this article.
Once you’re satisfied with your bet and the odds, you just need to decide your stake – and place the bet. If your bet is a winner, your winnings will be automatically credited to your account. You don’t need to do anything else!
Once legalized sports betting is up and running in California, I fully expect the following casinos to open up their sportsbooks in the Golden State:
DraftKings is currently available as a casino and sportsbook in New Jersey and other legalized sports betting states. It also provides daily fantasy action and is a clear contender to open a sportsbook branch in California soon.
If you love variety when it comes to sporting activities and table games, DraftKings is a solid option.
Another online casino and daily fantasy site, FanDuel will be chomping at the bit to open up its sportsbook in California once it is green. If you love huge bonuses and daily fantasy sports, FanDuel is a good alternative to DraftKings.
William Hill is a UK-based casino and sportsbook that will be very interested in the California sports gambling market. With years of experience and a huge amount of sports coverage and betting options, William Hill is ideal if you’re into European sports.
As soon as sports betting is legalized in California, a sportsbook will need to partner up with a licensed operator in the state to take your bets.
As soon as sports betting in California is legal, and the partnerships are announced, I will update this section.
Because online betting for sports isn’t yet legal in California, you can’t bet on any sports at the moment. However, Las Vegas is just a short drive away, and you can bet on legal sports.
Once sports wagering is underway in California, here are the legal sports you’ll be able to bet on:
Once sports betting is finally legal in California, there are a number of different bets you’ll be able to place.
Here are the most popular types of bets:
One of the best things about sports betting is the bonuses and rewards that come your way. Bovada is currently running some excellent promos, but all the best sites offer some types of bonuses.
Here are the bonuses you need to look out for:
California is a pretty complex state that’s currently protesting the interests of its Tribal Casinos, which means that online sports betting is illegal as of the time of writing.
Not just yet, but it’s expected to be legal by November 2020.
You won’t be able to place a bet in California until sports betting is fully legalized. However, you can take a trip to a state where sports betting is legal, and bet there.
In keeping with sports betting laws all across America, I expect that you will have to be 21 or over to be able to place a bet in California.
If you’re a California resident, you can go to a state where it’s legal to bet on sports – such as Las Vegas – and place a bet there.
Mobile sports betting will be available in California as soon as sports betting is given the green light.
Sports betting California is going to be a lot of fun. The next step is to see what happens in November at the ballot. If it’s legalized, you’ll just need to pick a sportsbook, such as Bovada, and get betting!
In the meantime, there’s nothing stopping you visiting a nearby state where sports gambling is legal, and placing a bet there.