Being the largest State in the USA with almost 40 million residents, it’s no surprise that California is a hotbed for sports betting in the United States.
Despite that, California is one of the few large states without legal sports betting. On this page we explain the current law, the options Californians have for betting on sports, how horse racing betting works in the state, and the major sports teams in each California city.
Is Sports Betting Legal in California?
No. California has not licensed or authorized any sportsbook, so it is not legal to accept sports bets anywhere in the state, either online or in person. California Penal Code section 337a prohibits betting on sporting events, and that law covers both running a sports betting operation and placing bets. In practice, enforcement has historically focused on illegal bookmaking operations rather than individual bettors.
Two ballot measures to legalize sports betting were voted on in November 2022. Proposition 26 would have allowed in-person sportsbooks at tribal casinos and racetracks, while Proposition 27 would have legalized online sports betting. Both failed by significant margins.
Sports betting will not appear on California’s 2026 ballot, so 2028 is now seen as the earliest realistic window for another statewide vote. Any future measure is also likely to need the support of California’s tribes, which operate the state’s casinos and have opposed online sports betting proposals that don’t give them control of the market.
Where Can Californians Bet On Sports?
Even without legal sportsbooks, Californians have several ways to bet on sports. Each works differently and comes with its own legal status.
Prediction Markets
Prediction markets such as Kalshi, Polymarket, DraftKings Predictions and FanDuel Predicts let you buy and sell contracts on the outcome of games. Instead of betting against a sportsbook, you trade with other users. These platforms operate under federal oversight from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rather than state gambling law, which is why they are available in California, though their legal status is being challenged in several states.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) let you pick players and compete based on their statistics. In July 2025, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a legal opinion declaring pick’em and draft style DFS contests to be illegal sports betting under Penal Code section 337a. Governor Gavin Newsom publicly disagreed, and the issue has not been settled.
In response, several apps changed how they operate in California. PrizePicks (Arena) and Underdog (Champions) switched to peer-to-peer formats, where you compete against other users rather than the app itself, and DraftKings Pick6 also uses a peer-to-peer format. DraftKings and FanDuel have continued to offer traditional daily fantasy contests in the state.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is the one form of sports wagering that is fully legal in California. You can bet in person at California racetracks and satellite wagering facilities, or online through advance deposit wagering (ADW) sites licensed by the California Horse Racing Board. See the horse racing section below for more.
Sweepstakes Sportsbooks
Sweepstakes sportsbooks, which used a dual-currency model to offer sports betting style games, are no longer an option. Governor Newsom signed AB 831 into law in October 2025, banning dual-currency sweepstakes sportsbook and casino platforms in California.
Betting in a Neighboring State
Licensed sportsbooks are legal in neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Oregon. Depending on where you live in California, Nevada may only be a short drive, and most Nevada casinos have their own sportsbook. You must be physically located inside the state to place a bet, and licensed sportsbooks require you to be 21 or older.
Offshore Sportsbooks
Offshore sportsbooks are licensed outside the United States and accept bets from California residents. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, which means Californians who use them have no state regulator to turn to if there is a dispute over a bet or a withdrawal.
In-Person Sports Betting in California
There are no legal sportsbooks anywhere in California. California’s tribal casinos and card rooms are not allowed to take sports bets, and any local bookie taking sports bets is operating illegally.
Major Sports Teams in California
California has a long list of major league sports teams. Here are the teams from the big 5 North American sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS), organized by city. Click on the city name for more information on betting on sports in that city, or see our guide to NFL betting in California.
- None
- None
- Los Angeles Angels (MLB)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
- Los Angeles FC (MLS)
- LA Galaxy (MLS)
- Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)
- Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
- Los Angeles Chargers (NFL)
- Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
- Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
- Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
- None (the Golden State Warriors moved to San Francisco in 2019, and the Athletics left Oakland after the 2024 season)
Sacramento
- Sacramento Kings (NBA)
- Athletics (MLB), playing in Sacramento temporarily ahead of a planned move to Las Vegas
- San Diego Padres (MLB)
- San Diego FC (MLS)
- San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
- San Francisco Giants (MLB)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA)
- San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)
- San Jose Sharks (NHL)
Horse Racing in California
Betting on horse racing is legal in California, both in person at the track and online through advance deposit wagering (ADW) sites licensed by the California Horse Racing Board. Bets are placed in pari-mutuel pools, which means you’re betting against other bettors and the odds are set by the amount of money wagered on each horse.
Live racing in California is now concentrated in the southern half of the state. Golden Gate Fields, Northern California’s last thoroughbred track, closed in June 2024, and harness racing at Cal Expo in Sacramento ended in 2025.
Major Tracks
- Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.
- Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar.
- Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress.
- The Big Fresno Fair, which was granted a harness racing meet for the 2026-27 winter.
Major Races
- Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack, part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series.
- Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park, a major prep race for three-year-olds on the road to the Kentucky Derby.
- Santa Anita Handicap at Santa Anita Park, a ten furlong race for horses four years old and up.