The Oscars are set to take place this Sunday, March 15th at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. This year the award show will be hosted by Conan O’Brien for the second year in a row.
The Oscars are a huge event in LA and California as a whole. For this reason I wanted to create this page to help California residents understand how to place Oscars bets online.
On this page we explain the current legal status of sports betting in California, outline the options Californians have for betting on the Oscars, look at the odds for some of the most popular award categories, and finish with a general step by step guide to getting started.
Is Sports Betting Legal in California?
No. It is not legal to operate a sportsbook in California, either online or in person. Two ballot measures to legalize sports betting, Propositions 26 and 27, both failed by significant margins in the November 2022 election.
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.
Check out our California betting section to learn more about the regulatory climate of sports betting in the state.
Where Can Californians Bet On The Oscars?
Even without legal sportsbooks, Californians have several ways to put money on the Oscars. Each works differently and comes with its own legal status, so it’s worth understanding the differences before choosing one.
Prediction Markets
Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket let you buy and sell contracts on the outcome of the Oscars. Instead of betting against a sportsbook, you trade with other users, and the price of a contract reflects the market’s view of how likely an outcome is. 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.
Betting in Another State
Most state regulators, including Nevada’s, do not allow betting on awards shows like the Oscars, though a few states, such as New Jersey, do. You must be physically located in that state and 21 or older to place a bet.
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.
2026 Oscars Betting Odds
Sportsbooks offered more than 26 betting markets for the award show. Let’s take a look at the odds for some of the most popular categories from the 2026 Oscars (odds below taken March 14th):
Best Picture
One Battle After Another is the favorite with odds of -325, but Sinners has closed the gap significantly in the last month with odds of +250 on the weekend of the award show. It would be a shock if one of these two films did not win Best Picture.
Best Actor
Timothee Chalamet (Marty Supreme) was a massive -800 favorite one month ago, but the odds have shifted significantly in the past week. After winning the Actor Award for Outstanding Performance Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) is now the favorite to win Best Actor at the Oscars (-155). Chalamet is now nearly a 2-1 underdog with odds of +190 after almost being a lock to win his first Oscar a month ago.
Best Actress
The Best Actress category is a lock according to the odds, with Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) expected to win. Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You) has a small chance at odds of +2500.
Betting markets are typically available for all 26 award categories, along with prop bets on the broadcast itself.
How To Bet On The Oscars From California – Step By Step
Whichever option you choose, the process of getting started is similar. Here’s a general guide.
Step 1. Choose Your Option
Decide which type of platform fits how you want to bet. Prediction markets are the most widely available way to trade on the Oscars, while licensed sportsbooks in the few states that allow awards betting are an option if you’re traveling. Review the options above before signing up.
Step 2. Check The Age and Location Rules
Every platform has its own eligibility requirements. Most prediction markets and DFS apps require you to be at least 18, while licensed sportsbooks require you to be 21 in most states and physically located in the state where they are licensed.
Step 3. Create and Verify Your Account
Sign up with your legal name, date of birth and address. Regulated platforms are required to verify your identity, so you may be asked for the last four digits of your Social Security number or a photo of your ID.
Step 4. Fund Your Account
Deposit using one of the platform’s payment methods, which commonly include debit cards and bank transfers. Check how withdrawals work, and how long they take, before you deposit.
Step 5. Find The Market and Place Your Bet
Navigate to the entertainment or awards section, select the market you’re interested in, and choose your position. Before confirming, check the price or odds and how much you stand to win, using the bet types explained above as a guide.
Step 6. Set Limits
Decide on a budget before the ceremony and stick to it. Most regulated platforms let you set deposit and time limits in your account settings. If betting stops being fun, help is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
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