It may come as a shock to those not living in California, but a state boasting daily live sporting events that attract nationwide audiences and home to the planet’s biggest sporting names still lacks legal sports betting as of late 2025. Gamblers must travel out of state to Nevada, Arizona, or Montana to place bets, with no firm legislation for online sports betting or in-person gambling expected before 2026 at the earliest.
Dozens of tribal land casinos and around 90 licensed card rooms push for retail sports betting access into 2026, while legal alternatives include horse race betting (via TVG, FanDuel Racing, TwinSpires, DRF Bets), the California lottery, and daily fantasy sports (DFS).
California Betting and Prediction Markets
California lacks legal sports betting, but prediction markets offer a CFTC-regulated alternative for trading sports event contracts, bypassing traditional gambling laws in non-sports-betting states like California.
Fanatics Markets launched in California December 2025 as part of its 24-state rollout, covering sports outcomes, finance, culture events, with crypto and IPO markets planned for 2026 expansion.
Live in California: Fanatics Markets (sports prediction markets, event contracts), Kalshi (nationwide prediction trading, facing tribal opposition).
Not available: FanDuel Predicts (limited to AL, AK, ND, SC, SD; national rollout 2026).
Upcoming: DraftKings prediction markets targeting California and similar states.
California Horse Racing Betting
The state has some of the biggest and best horse racing facilities in the US with some of the richest races on the planet run at the like of Santa Anita and Del Mar. There is legal parimutuel betting controlled by the Californian Horse Racing Board, with legal online facilities offered by the likes of TVG and BetAmerica.
California Lottery
The state lottery has been running since 1984 and while there are numerous retailers across the state selling tickets, you cannot purchase tickets online.
California DFS
Whilst there has been no official regulation of the games in California, the state has the biggest market for DFS in the US.
California Online Casinos
There are no legal online casino facilities but there are dozens of land-based casinos across the state offering card games, slots and a variety of other table games.
California Poker
While online poker is outlawed, the casinos and card rooms – there are around 90 licensed card rooms in the state – offer a variety of poker options to players.
California Legal Online Gambling FAQs
Is sports betting legal in California?
No, traditional online or retail sports betting remains illegal in 2026, limited to horse racing; potential ballot measures or tribal deals may target 2026 but face ongoing opposition.
Can I use prediction markets in California?
Yes, CFTC-regulated platforms like Fanatics Markets and Kalshi operate legally for sports event contracts, despite tribal lawsuits; FanDuel Predicts is unavailable here.
Where can I get help with problem gambling in CA?
If you are worried about your own gambling, or a friend or relative is struggling to cope, help is available. California – National Council on Problem Gambling (ncpgambling.org).