Sacramento isn’t located along the coast, which is where the vast majority of California sports teams reside in the big cities like LA, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco. Sacramento only has the one major sports team with the Sacramento Kings of the NBA calling the city home.
That said, sports betting is still a big part of the sporting culture in Sacramento. Unfortunately you are not allowed to bet on sports at California based casinos, so Sacramento residents have the option of either making the two hour drive to Reno or betting online through an offshore betting site.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Sacramento?
It is not legal to operate a sportsbook in the State of California.
That said, it is legal for California residents to place their bets through offshore sportsbooks that accepts American players, like the ones outlined below. These sportsbooks are regulated and licensed outside of the USA which allows them to offer a safe and secure betting platform that American residents can use.
Two propositions (Prop 26 and Prop 27) looking to legalize sports betting in California failed by significant margins on the November 2022 ballot. Attempts to legalize sports betting in the state are now back to square one and it will likely not be until 2024 at the earliest that another vote to legalize sports betting in California can take place.
Best Betting Sites for Sacramento Residents
- Built for American bettors
- Wide variety of competitive betting lines
- Easy to navigate betting platform
Bovada and BetOnline are our two top rated betting sites for Sacramento residents. Both sites are widely popular across the country and offer a trusted and secure platform for Americans to bet on sports online.
Offline Sports Betting in Sacramento
There is no offline sports betting allowed in California. If you want to place a sports wager at a land based casino you will have to take the two hour drive into Reno, Nevada. That said, California does allow you to wager on horse races in Sacramento.
Cal Expo Harness Racing
The Cal Expo Harness Racing takes place on Fridays and Sundays from November to May each year. You can place bets on the horses live at the track. The satellite wagering facility is open year-round allowing you to bet on horse races from all of the top tracks across California and out of state. There are over 140 private carrels, which allows you to bet on the racing action in privacy and comfort.
Pro Sports Teams in Sacramento
- Sacramento Kings (Basketball – NBA)
- Sacramento Republic FC (Soccer – USL)
- Sacramento River Cats (Baseball – MiLB)