Online Casinos in California – Legal in 2024?

As of 2024, the Golden State still does not allow locally-regulated companies to offer casino gambling online after constituents voted against the two initiatives on the ballot in the November midterms of 2022. That doesn’t mean residents can’t play at the best online casinos in California.

Offshore casino sites operate outside the jurisdiction of the United States and offer players exciting opportunities to play games like poker, blackjack or other types of games for real money prizes. This guide reviews the best real-money online casino options for California players.

Best Online Casinos in California

These are the top 10 California online casino sites our experts identified after reviewing more than 100 contenders:

  1. BookMaker – Best online casino in California
  2. Heritage Sports – Leading California casino for VIP customer service
  3. Bovada – Best California casino welcome bonus
  4. BetOnline – Top online casino in California for game variety
  5. BetAnySports – Excellent online casino and sportsbook
  6. BetUS – Huge promotions for Golden State bettors
  7. WagerWeb – Trusted CA casino site with secure payouts
  8. JustBet – Elite California casino with exciting tournaments
  9. Everygame – Large volume of quality online casino games
  10. SportsBetting – High betting limits and generous promotions

Each of these top-rated sportsbooks can provide players in California with generous bonuses, competitive betting odds and much more.

In California, online casino gaming is still a long way from becoming legal. While the state’s legislative framework allows for various forms of gambling, including card rooms, tribal casinos and horse race wagering, online gaming remains a gray area. Californians are not entirely out of luck, though.

In the absence of state-regulated online casinos, players have found that reputable offshore sites provide a legal and accessible platform for their gaming pleasures. While we wait for the potential legalization of online gambling, no matter how distant in the future it may be, these offshore sites remain a viable option for Californians to enjoy their favorite casino games and win real money online.

Real-Money Online Casinos in California: Reviewed

The best offshore casinos for California players have different strengths, weaknesses and specialties. While these gambling sites are most known for online sports betting, the reviews below will go into more detail about the casino gaming options to help you find the best choice.

1. BookMaker: Best Online Casino in California

Bookmaker Casino

Bookmaker.eu earned the strongest overall rating during our rigorous online casino review process. It offers the best selection of high RTP slots and table games on the market, and that is a very valuable trait in an online casino. You will also be able to choose from two generous welcome bonuses, and the loyalty program is excellent.

Bookmaker.eu is the best online casino California players can access for high payout rates. This site has an exceptionally large number of high RTP online casino games. Popular slot games are available, like:

Railway Riches (98.47%)

Frosty Christmas (98.33%)

Mistress of the Sea (98.16)

Horoscope (97.44%)

City Animals (97.43%)

BookMaker also offers to reimburse you for Bitcoin network fees if you make a deposit using the world’s largest cryptocurrency. The user experience is also very strong, with an orderly layout and games that run smoothly via a mobile device or desktop.

Pros:

  • Best overall online casino California players can use
  • Large selection of slots with high payout rates
  • Neatly designed online casino lobby
  • Elite online sportsbook alongside the casino

Cons:

  • Smaller sign-up bonus than Bovada and BetOnline
  • BetOnline has better range of games

2. Heritage Sports: Beginner-Friendly Casino with VIP Service

Heritage Sports casino

Heritage Sports is the best option for any newcomers to the exciting world of online casino gaming in California. It offers VIP service for all customers, from high rollers to casual bettors, so you will receive strong support whenever you need it. The interface is also very easy to use, so players can find games quickly and easily, and there is a lot of supporting information on display.

This site has a cult following among sports bettors in California. However, it also has an online casino to match, with an impressive selection of games from reputable software providers. The live dealer section is one of the best, offering a realistic casino experience from any device. Special promotions like free deposits and a monthly casino rebate are also available for loyal customers.

Pros:

  • Most beginner-friendly online casino in California
  • Great selection of games from reputable suppliers
  • Excellent customer service for all players
  • Includes a sportsbook with reduced juice -108 lines
  • Reduced juice online sports betting

Cons:

  • Does not provide deposit bonuses for new users
  • Smaller variety of games in the slots section than some offshore rivals

3. Bovada: Best Sign-Up Bonus for Casino Players

Bovada Casino

Bovada is one of the most famous gambling brands in the United States. It offers the most comprehensive sportsbook in California, along with the country’s busiest poker room, an esports betting section and a racebook. The Bovada casino leads the way in terms of live dealer games, with a vast array of tables to choose from 24 hours a day, and it also has plenty of slots and virtual table games.

The Bovada casino leads the way in terms of live dealer games, with a vast array of tables to choose from 24 hours a day offering real-time gaming. It also has plenty of options for online slots and virtual table games.

Bovada offers new customers a 125% bonus of up to $1,250 on each of their first three deposits. That means $3,750 is up for grabs in total bonus funds if you use the Bovada promo code CAWELCOME100. It has a fantastic rewards program too, and you can also enjoy very quick crypto payouts, while the lobby is very neat and well-designed.

Pros:

  • Most impressive sign-up bonus
  • Best live dealer casino for Golden State players
  • Market-leading online poker room
  • Same-day crypto withdrawals

Cons:

  • Does not provide many ongoing promos for existing users
  • Smaller range of games available than competitors

4. BetOnline: Strongest Range of Casino Games

BetOnline Casino

BetOnline runs an elite online casino. It has more games than rival online betting sites, and they are generally quality titles from talented studios. The gaming lobby looks more polished and stylish than its competitors, and it has a great mobile-optimized site too.

Alongside its online casino, it has a poker room, sportsbook, racebook and esports hub. If you want to play a cash poker game or tournament, you will find a wide array of skill levels, although the poker rooms at some rivals, including Bovada, are busier.

New users receive a bonus of up to $1,000 after signing up. You can then claim two more 100% deposit match bonus offers. There are great options for returning customers too including reload bonuses and loads of promos. The BetOnline promo codes can be used to get exclusive offers.

Pros:

  • Wide variety of slots and table games
  • Earn up to $3,000 in deposit bonuses after signing up
  • Loads of recurring promos
  • Same-day payouts via Bitcoin and altcoins

Cons:

  • Charges fees for credit card deposits
  • Smaller sign-up bonus than Bovada

5. BetAnySports: Excellent Casino and Sportsbook Site

BetAnySports Casino

BetAnySports surged ahead of some impressive rivals to seal a top-five spot in our list of the best online casinos California players can access. It has a sportsbook, which is famous for reduced juice lines, a racebook and seven different casino platforms – 3D Casino, Classic Casino, Diamond Casino, Fortune Casino, Horizon Casino, Star Casino and Vegas Live – all rolled into one elegant online casino site.

You may have to root around in the various online casino areas at first to find your favorite games, but you will soon grow accustomed to the layout. There are lots of excellent titles within the varied overall portfolio, and it has a generous rebate program for casino customers too, so we were impressed with the casino gaming experience at BetAnySports.

Pros:

  • Seven online casino platforms rolled into one
  • Excellent cash-back program for casino players
  • Very simple and effective interface
  • Reduced juice sportsbook with -105 lines

Cons:

  • Bovada and BetOnline have larger bonuses
  • Not as established as BetOnline and BookMaker

Comparing the Best California Online Casinos

These are the traits we looked out for when reviewing online casinos in California:

  • Wide selection of quality casino games
  • High-end online casino software
  • User-friendly betting experience
  • Betting limits to suit all players
  • Appealing casino bonuses and promotions
  • Flawless security record
  • 24/7 customer service

BookMaker, Heritage Sports, Bovada, BetOnline and BetAnySports stood out by performing well in each category.

History of Online Casinos in California

March 2022: The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians announces its acquisition of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
October 2021: The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians and Station Casinos break ground on a new casino in Madera County, which is expected to open in 2023.
June 2021: California’s largest cardroom, the Commerce Casino, reopens after being closed for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 2020: Voters in the city of Elk Grove approve a ballot measure to allow the construction of a tribal casino on the site of a shopping mall.
March 2020: Several tribal casinos in California temporarily close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 2020: The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) announces a new set of regulations for cardrooms in the state, including restrictions on some player-banked games.
June 2019: The Wilton Rancheria tribe receives approval to build a casino in Elk Grove.
January 2019: The United Auburn Indian Community announces plans to expand its Thunder Valley Casino Resort with a new hotel tower and convention center.
November 2018: The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians receives approval from Governor Jerry Brown to build a casino near Madera.
June 2018: The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a federal ban on sports betting, potentially opening the door for California to legalize the practice in the future.
May 2018: The Graton Rancheria tribe announces plans to build a second casino in California, in addition to its existing casino in Rohnert Park.
November 2016: Voters reject a ballot measure that would have allowed the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians to build a casino in Madera.

What games are available with online casino apps?

These are the main types of games you will find at California mobile casinos:

  • Online Slots: Video slots, 3D slots, progressive jackpot games
  • Poker: Video poker and virtual table poker
  • Table Games: Blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps
  • Live Dealer Games: Table games, game shows with real money prizes
  • Specialty Games: Keno, bingo, scratchcards
  • Virtual Sports

Bonuses for California Online Casinos

You can benefit from a variety of bonuses at online casinos in California:

  • Deposit Match Bonus: A sign-up bonus whereby the casino matches a percentage of your initial deposit.
  • Free Spins: A bonus for new or existing customers, allowing you to spin a slot for free in a bid to earn a profit.
  • Reload Bonus: An existing customer bonus is available when you top up your account balance.
  • Promotions: Ongoing offers aimed at existing customers.
  • Loyalty Program: Earn points when you play casino games and trade them in for site credit or other rewards.
  • Rebate: Receive a rebate at certain intervals on any casino losses you incur.

Land-Based Casinos in California

State gambling laws permit land-based tribal casinos and card rooms, along with a state lottery and pari-mutuel wagering at horse racing tracks. These are the best tribal casinos in California:

  • The Commerce Casino, Commerce
  • Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon
  • Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula
  • Thunder Valley Casino Resort, Lincoln
  • Yaamava Resort Casino, Highland
  • Sycuan Casino Resort, San Diego

There are currently 66 active casinos across the state of California that are operated by 63 different Native American tribes. They offer blackjack tables, roulette games and slot machines; many have a poker room onsite. Offshore sites can offer the same experience as these tribal casinos (including dealer games) but with the added benefit of offering sports betting in California as well as other forms of gambling.

Best California Online Casino

Bookmaker.eu is the best online casino in California. It provides a broad range of exciting games with high RTP rates, and the lobby is very smooth, offering simple navigation for easy online gambling. Sign up today and you will receive a 100% slots bonus worth up to $500 or a 100% blackjack and video poker bonus of up to $250.

FAQs – Real Money Online Casinos in California

Can I play at online casinos in California?

California residents have access to a wide range of popular games including classic options like slot games and live dealer games but they must use offshore sites. The gambling laws prevent locally-regulated companies from operating.

How many casinos are there in California?

There are 66 land-based casinos spread across 27 counties in California. California also has various card rooms, plus the California Lottery and horse racing tracks like Santa Anita Park.

What online gambling is legal in California?

In California, the only online wagering that local gambling companies are allowed to offer is wagering on horse races. For online casino gambling, residents can use offshore sites.

What is the largest casino in California?

The Yaamava Resort Casino is the largest land-based casino in California, with a large volume of slot machines, roulette, poker tables and card games. This gambling location features a 17,100-square-foot gaming floor.

Can you play FanDuel casino in California?

No, you can only use FanDuel for daily fantasy sports in California. For real money gambling, residents can turn to any of the top-rated online casinos in our list above.

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