Mark Lewis
Editor
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Last Updated on 19/09/2022
Fact checked by: Drew the DFS Guy
Table of Content
- Introduction to the California gambling industry - Can you enjoy gambling in CA?
- Gambling Guide
- California land-based casino legal situation - What's the deal?
- Can you use an online casino in California? - A brief legal analysis
- California mobile casino gambling situation - Can you play on the go?
- Online casino operator licensing process - How it all works
- History of gambling in California - The story so far
- California online casinos 2022 FAQs - All you need to know
- Responsible gambling - Making the most of the best California online casino sites when they become available!
- Social casinos in California - If you want to play online casinos, but not for real money
- The best US social casinos
- Daily fantasy sports (DFS) - Win with expertise
- Our Favorite DFS Sites
- Conclusion
Introduction to the California gambling industry - Can you enjoy gambling in CA?
California casinos have been a part of the state for some years. It's a good idea to learn about the casinos in California and what you can expect from them. Without this information, you may be unsure of whether or not you can gamble in California, or even check out online gambling in California. Read on to find out more about gambling in the sunshine state today!
Gambling Guide
| Permitted / Offered? | Notes & Restrictions | |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes | |
| Online Gambling | Yes | Certain restrictions apply to types of gambling allowed. Parimutuel horse betting is allowed. |
| Sports Betting | No | Horse betting and DFS are two sports betting options that are legal, all other sports betting is currently not regulated in the state. |
| Lottery | Yes | Both state-wide lottery options and multi-state options are available and legal to play. |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | |
| House Gambling | No | The only time that house gambling is allowed is if it is for a charitable event where money is being raised. |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 18 or 21 | 18 for all gambling options besides some land-based casinos that offer alcohol within their establishments, where it is 21 years of age. |
California land-based casino legal situation - What's the deal?
The land-based casinos throughout California are legal to spend money and have a good time in, but these casinos have to fall under specific categories in order to be deemed as legal. California casinos have to be listed as one of the following in order to be considered legal forms of gambling:
- Indian Casinos
- Card Clubs
- Pari-Mutuel Horse Betting
- Charitable Gaming Events
- State Lottery
Those that set up California casino games to raise money or awareness are allowed, but only for the event. Anything outside of the event is not considered legal. This is true for other establishments that have not set up the legality of the casino. California casinos have to file the necessary paperwork in order to have the approval to operate within the state.
Illegal forms of gambling in California include playing craps with dice, meaning that the traditional game cannot be played. Other forms of the game may be offered inside legal casino options.
Can you use an online casino in California? - A brief legal analysis
There are currently no laws making online casino gambling in California legal, though lawmakers have tried to push legislation through several times now. That means that local players can't legally participate in online gambling just yet. While that's upsetting for many, it's not the end by any means. California looks likely to pass an online gambling bill in the coming years and players are likely to enjoy legal online wagering soon enough. It's very much a similar situation in some other states. For example, finding the best online casino New Hampshire means going offshore. However, until such time as real money online casinos are legalized, gamblers in both states can enjoy social casinos and playing at local casinos without an issue.
California mobile casino gambling situation - Can you play on the go?
Just like with new online casinos, mobile casino gaming is also something that is yet to be regulated in the state of California. When an online wagering bill passes in the state, it is a virtual certainty that mobile wagering will also be introduced. However, until then players will have to continue to use social casinos.
Online casino operator licensing process - How it all works
In order to obtain a gambling license in the state of California, an operator has to go through a series of steps to become as legal as possible. Specific paperwork and questions need to be answered in order to get the best possible outcome of obtaining the licensure within the state. Currently, only land-based gambling licenses are available and those wondering: "are online casinos legal in California?" will find themselves disappointed by the fact the answer is a clear "no".
The forms and information that are needed to obtain a land-based operator license include, but is not limited to:
- Information on the establishment, what type of gambling they are offering, the drinks or food they will offer, and any other California casino events they will be offering at the venue.
- A full list of the employees that will be directly involved with the venue, their jobs, and other information pertaining to the operation of the casino.
- A full disclosure, release of information, and designated agent.
- Declaration of property for the venue, as well as the property that the venue is situated on and what it will be used for, if anything other than the gambling establishment.
- Transcript sign over for the tax returns for the venue and specific gambling company.
All paperwork to get the California casinos up and running is something worth looking into, because these operators have to ensure that their establishments are legal. While these documents are needed for those that run actual casinos, the majority of the same paperwork is necessary for an online casino in California to run smoothly and legally.
The paperwork has to be brought to the appropriate office in order to be filed and approved. Once approved, a specific licensure number will be provided to the casino that shows they have done the necessary steps to become legal.
It is also important that the operator knows that the Bureau can request further information about their establishment in order to see if they should obtain the licensure. They use their sole discretion to ask for particular information from the casino requesting licensure within the state.
The forms for a gambling license can be found on the Bureau of Gambling Control’s website.
History of gambling in California - The story so far
Poker inside legal casinos, including card rooms, are not illegal throughout the state and they have been a favorite place for many visitors since 1850, back when California first became a state. The lottery has been around since the 1980s, and with 21,000 different retailers and 10 different lottery options, there are plenty of options to choose from.
The horse racetracks were introduced in 1933. Six major racetracks are offered throughout the state that you can bet on and watch the races inside the casinos. Native American land-based casinos were legalized and allowed in 2000, which took some time to pass. After regulation of the taxes and other specifics of the casinos were negotiated, they were able to run and provide gambling inside their casinos as long as they were constructed on their land.
According to the compacts and negotiations, many of the casinos are able to provide both Class 1 and Class 2 gaming experiences which include both slot machines and table games to use. Craps and roulette are illegal to play throughout these casinos, so they are usually not offered. Card versions of these games, as well as video slot machines can also be found, as these are allowed.
The revenue that currently comes from the legal gambling options throughout the state generates more than any other state in the country, making it an ideal place to find yourself playing. Those casinos offered through Native Americans may vary from one another because each agreement between new casinos was negotiated separately.
California online casinos 2022 FAQs - All you need to know
Responsible gambling - Making the most of the best California online casino sites when they become available!
When gambling, it is important that you set a budget and stick to it, as well as setting limits on the time you spend playing in the casinos. Being aware of the time and money you are spending is the best way to ensure that you are gaming responsibly. Casino sites usually provide responsible gambling controls for you to regulate both the time you spend on the site and the amount you are wagering with.
It is highly recommended that you set these parameters before you begin to play at a site. This will help ensure you stay in control of your gambling activity and do not incur any uncomfortable losses.
Social casinos in California - If you want to play online casinos, but not for real money
Those who want to spend time with other people or just have a little fun playing California casino games can find that social casinos hit the spot.
California social casinos are a great way of legally gambling in the state and still having a good time playing. There are plenty of online casinos in California that offer this type of fun by using virtual currency in place of real money for gambling.
Many casinos in California are starting to recognize the benefits that come with social casinos. The regulated Native -American-run casinos are offering both online and onsite social casino gatherings, games, plus many other events for players throughout the state.
The best US social casinos
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Daily fantasy sports (DFS) - Win with expertise
Daily Fantasy Sports are a fun way to enhance your enjoyment of watching your favourite sports. You have to use your judgement and knowledge to pick the players that you think will perform well and create your own dream team. This concept is different from what you would find in an online casino in California, DFS provides options for customizing your own team and maximizing your chances of a win.
California online casinos may offer this option, but you may have to go to specific places to get started. Daily Fantasy Sports can provide you with a way to win prizes or even cash in a way that is different from traditional online gambling in California. In short, DFS offers a chance to get more involved with sports.
If you want to check out the Fantasy Sports options that are out there, then click below for more information. You can get started with your fantasy picks right away!
Our Favorite DFS Sites
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Conclusion
Clearly, California is not the epicentre of gambling in the United States. Until sports betting and online gambling are fully legalized and regulated, the state will be lagging behind some of the more gambling friendly areas of the country. That being said, there is still plenty to entertain players in the Golden State.
Daily Fantasy Sports and social casinos provide players with ways to try their hand at winning prizes. Whilst racetrack betting has been permitted within California for a number of years. It's not an ideal situation for players in the Golden State, but in the last few years the number of states that have legalized online and sports betting has grown considerably, so do not be surprised if California joins the party in the near future.
