Online Poker in California – Is It Legal?

Martin Green
June 10, 2024

Despite the state’s recent efforts (and failure) to legalize sports betting in the past, as of 2025, there has not been a lot of conversation about legalizing online gaming beyond sports betting. It could be a while before the poker landscape begins to change in the Golden State.

California doesn’t have any locally-regulated online poker options but there are a wide variety of international poker platforms that accept California players. If you’re a poker fan, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to cover the top online poker sites for players in California.

We have highlighted the best online poker sites California players can access, the networks and poker software they use, the fees and rakes charged, the liquidity on offer and the exciting deposit bonuses new users can get. Read on to discover the best California online gambling sites with internet poker.

Legal Status of Online Poker in California

We are often asked: Is online poker legal in California? The answer is yes, but you will need to visit an offshore sportsbook such as Bovada, BetOnline or SportsBetting.ag. The Golden State does not have a locally regulated online poker industry. The only states with regulated online poker markets are Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

However, there are no gambling laws preventing you from using an online poker site based abroad. You just need to be vigilant and find reliable, trustworthy online poker sites that pay out when you request a withdrawal. Our experts have vetted all the different providers in the online poker scene and decided that Bovada and BetOnline are the best online poker sites in California.

California Poker Laws

Poker is permitted at brick-and-mortar venues in California. You can play at tribal casinos and card rooms in the Golden State. Tribal casinos and commercial cardrooms have been legal in California for many years. It does not have a legal online poker market, which is why offshore sites have flourished.

If the Golden State ever rolls out a locally regulated market for online poker, those sites could be hit with bad actor clauses, but for now, they offer a secure, convenient way to play poker cash games and tournaments in California.

California has not even attempted to introduce any online poker legislation, so it seems like the state is far-off from legalizing poker. Until then, offshore poker sites are a great option.

Video Poker

California does not have a local market for online casinos either. If you want to play video poker, you will need to use an offshore casino for online gaming. Bovada and BetOnline both have excellent online casino sections featuring a strong selection of video poker games along with other types of games. We can also recommend Bookmaker.eu and Heritage Sports for video poker. These games have a very high RTP when you apply the correct strategy.

Casual Poker

Casual poker games among friends are permitted in California if they are held in a low-key fashion; private poker clubs are not legal at all. You cannot earn money from hosting card games, so make sure you do not charge an entrance fee or organizer’s fee and do not impose a minimum food and beverage. If you adhere to those rules, you can host your friends for a poker night. If you want to sharpen your skills, sign up with Bovada, BetOnline, Everygame or SportsBetting.ag.

History of Online Poker in California

October 2019: California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announces that the state will not appeal a federal court ruling that found California’s card clubs are not subject to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and can operate house-banked games.
August 2018: California lawmakers fail to advance Assembly Bill 2863, which would have authorized online poker in the state.
September 2016: California Governor Jerry Brown signs Assembly Bill 2863, which would have authorized online poker in the state, but the bill does not advance past the Assembly.
October 2011: The United Auburn Indian Community and the Mechoopda Indian Tribe sue the state of California over a law that allows card clubs to offer certain types of games.
September 2011: California Governor Jerry Brown signs Senate Bill 40, which allows card clubs to offer games with certain restrictions.
2008: California voters reject Proposition 6, which would have authorized the establishment of a state-run poker room and allowed the state to collect a 33% tax on gross gaming revenue.
2007: California lawmakers introduce Assembly Bill 2026, which would have authorized the establishment of a state-run poker room and allowed the state to collect a 33% tax on gross gaming revenue, but the bill fails to advance past the Assembly.

California Poker – Live and In-Person

You can play poker at some prominent cardrooms in California if you’d like to check out a land-based casino near you. All of the casinos in the Golden State are tribal casinos. Some racetracks may also have cardrooms.

The Commerce Casino in LA | The world’s largest card room hosts a huge variety of poker tables, covering everything from Texas Hold’em and Omaha to Badugi and 2-7 Triple Draw. It has also hosted World Poker Tour regional events.
Ocean’s Eleven Casino in Oceanside | This popular casino is named after the Hollywood movie. It is open 24/7 and it offers a regular selection of poker tournaments.
500 Club Casino in Clovis | This venue has a large array of Texas Hold’em games, and you can also play Fortune Pai Gow and Omaha Hi-Lo.

How to Play Online Poker in California

Playing online poker games in California is quick and easy if you sign up for an account with a highly-rated site such as BetOnline or Bovada. It only takes a minute or two to register with them, and you can then enjoy online real-money poker on your computer or mobile phone at any time of day or night. These sites also feature other casino gaming options and offer sports betting in California.

Tips for Online Poker Real Money California

These are our top tips to help you play online poker in California successfully:

Stick to reputable online poker operators recommended by our experts, as we know they pay out on time and in full.
Consider adopting a tight-aggressive strategy, which is widely regarded as the best approach for modern poker players.
On that note, it pays to be selective with your starting hands. Do not play every single hand.
Work on cutting out frustration and anger at the poker tables, which creates tilt. If you spot tilt in an opponent, capitalize upon it in ruthless fashion.
Master the art of bluffing, and then use it selectively.
Gamble responsibly and always practice sensible bankroll management when participating in any form of gambling.

Conclusion: Online Poker in California

You will enjoy a secure online poker experience if you sign up with one of the top sites featured on this page. We recommend Bovada poker room as the best option for those seeking an online poker platform, as it provides better traffic and liquidity than its rivals, with a very busy schedule of tournaments and games, some great bonuses, same-day crypto deposits, excellent customer support and an impressive all-round user experience.