Online Gambling in California: A Guide to What’s Allowed

California is among the states in the U.S. that offer the most thrilling gambling opportunities. The law permits poker rooms and racetracks to operate, just as the law allows several tribes in the state to run casinos. While the tribes enjoy a near-monopoly on casino gambling, options for land-based gaming—especially when you include cardrooms—are actually quite numerous in California. Whether you prefer betting on a horse race or playing blackjack, the Golden State has a gambling option that’s right for you.

The path to online gambling in California has not been very smooth. Many other states have welcomed online poker and casino games and have passed legislation to allow these games to be played over the Internet. California, however, has been much more hesitant. It’s not like California lacks the potential player base; the state has a population of over 39 million. Yet despite several pushes over the past decade that have seen online poker legislation move through both the California State Assembly and Senate, in the end, California poker players have had to do without.

One of the major obstacles has been what’s known as the “bad actor” clause. This provision was meant to keep out companies that had formerly provided illegal online gambling to U.S. residents. The most significant effect of the bad actor clause, however, has been to keep out some very large companies from the conversation. PokerStars is a prime example, as are several companies that might be more likely to offer sports betting. (I see you, FanDuel.) Still, despite this unfortunate effect, and maybe even because of it, something like an “appetite” for regulating online gambling in California might exist to a degree that’s not being experienced anywhere else.

Although the status of online gambling in California is still undecided, there are many thrilling gambling options for both residents and visitors. Here are some of the best options you can find right now:

1. Californians can still enjoy online poker even though the game has not yet attained full legitimacy in the state. While California has not  yet fully embraced the concept of regulating online poker, quite a few offshore poker sites have quite enthusiastically embraced California as part of their player-base. Though these sites are not governed by California laws, they do operate under the auspices of different legal jurisdictions; quite effectively, I might add, since they’ve been in business for quite some time now and with quite a few happy customers. Those customers, of course, are enjoying the online poker experience.
2. California’s Land-Based Casinos and Tribal Gaming California has nearly 70 tribal casinos, offering a mix of poker rooms, slot machines, and table games—they’re doing quite well. The state also has about 30 licensed card rooms that offer not just poker but also other forms of legal card gaming. While many of these establishments have promotional events that attract players from all over the state, they might not be known for giving away free drinks to those who partake in their casino gaming options. Still, if you’re more into the thrill of land-based gaming, California’s casinos and card rooms have quite the selection and might serve as an excellent place for you to try your hand at gaming.
3. Sports Betting (Still Awaiting Legalization) For quite some time, fans of various sports in California have been clamoring for the chance to place legal wagers on the outcomes of those contests. The matter, however, is still very much up in the air. A number of other states have already legalized sports betting, and California is giving the notion some serious thought. If the state does decide to go forward, it seems almost a given that the wagering opportunities will encompass both professional and college athletics, and that platforms for doing so will include both in-person options at casinos and quite possibly online as well.

In California, there is a poker culture that thrives both on and offline. It is a place where many of the world’s best and most famous poker players bait, and beat, their hooks and where bluffing—life’s oldest con—is an art form. The following text looks at just what makes the poker people and poker practices found in California to be as well, you know, ‘California cool.

California’s burgeoning interest in online gambling means that we are likely to see some changes in the not-too-distant future. Even though there’s a dearth of federal regulations, online poker and sports betting have the makings of a new gold rush. Once they are fully legalized, they could easily become two of the most lucrative revenue streams for the state—while also providing residents with some thrilling new pastimes.