California online casinos for real money are illegal, and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. If online casinos in California are legalized in the future, players can look forward to an exciting selection of games and generous welcome bonuses. In the meantime, state residents can still enjoy online casino games at legal alternatives. Explore the best sweepstakes and social casinos below, offering a fun, free-to-play experience with the chance to win real cash prizes!
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Can you play at real money online casinos in California?
Currently, there are no legal real-money casino sites in California. Efforts to legalize online casinos have encountered strong opposition, particularly from California’s Native American tribes, who oppose expanding gambling beyond existing land-based tribal operations and licensed cardrooms in the state. However, anyone aged 21 or older can legally play online at California sweepstakes casinos.
Our top 3 California sweepstakes casinos
What is the best online casino in California? To help you decide, our team has reviewed the top sweepstakes and social casinos available to California players, evaluating game selection, bonuses, software quality, security, and customer support. Based on our research, these are the top California online casino alternatives we recommend trying.
1. WOW Vegas – Best casino for daily bonuses
WOW Vegas is a great option for CA online casino players seeking a wide range of slot options and rewarding opportunities. The casino boasts over 2,000 slots, including popular titles from top developers like Pragmatic Play, Novomatic, and Betsoft. You’ll find several progressive jackpot slots among the selections as well as lots of ongoing sweepstakes casino bonuses, such as daily and weekly giveaways in the Prize Drops Lobby, Lunchtime Loot, Wowzer Prize Drop Games, and Wake Up and Win.
- Pros: Expansive selection of 2,000+ slots, jackpot slots, scratchcards, bingo, and variety games.
- Cons: Daily Drops are only available if you play a certain volume, and the required volume is not specified.
2. Crown Coins – Best casino for progressive jackpots
Crown Coins is a slots-only casino with over 400 slot games from which to choose, including a nice selection of over 20 progressive jackpot games. You’ll find several top slot games from providers like Pragmatic Play, including Sugar Rush and The Great Pigsby. The site also offers an easy-to-claim welcome bonus and other ongoing promotions such as a daily login bonus that increases each consecutive day you log in.
- Pros: More daily bonuses, daily challenges, and purchase bonuses than many other sweepstakes casinos.
- Cons: No option for gift card redemptions, and no table games or live dealer games.
3. Stake.us – Best casino for crypto-friendly gaming
Stake.us also offers a terrific selection of online casino games for California players. The game library features over 3,000 slots from studios such as Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw, BGaming, OneTouch, Rogue, and many more. There are also a dozen live dealer games, including blackjack, baccarat, Sic Bo, roulette, and poker-style games. Look out for the site’s exclusive arcade-style games, as well as online scratch cards.
- Pros: One of the largest slot selections available anywhere, plus table games and live dealer games.
- Cons: Only accepts cryptocurrency payments and redemptions.
An overview of retail and online casinos in California
Tribal casinos in California support 184,701 jobs and generate an annual economic impact of $34.56 billion, according to the American Gaming Association. As such, the tribes have fiercely resisted any attempts to legalize online gambling in California, fearing it would damage their economic prospects.
Tribal coalitions spent a combined $244 million on campaigns opposing the most recent proposition to legalize online sports betting in California. The proposition was subsequently crushed, with more than 83% of voters opposing it. The tribes would likely mount an even more robust campaign to combat any plans to amend California gambling laws or legalize CA online casinos, so nobody has tried to introduce legislation to that effect.
Here is an overview of the current status of retail and online casinos in California:
- Retail casinos: Yes
- Number of casinos in California: Over 120, counting both tribal casinos and active commercial cardrooms
- Minimum casino gambling age: 21 at tribal casinos and cardrooms; 18 at tribal casinos without an alcohol license
- Top online casino alternatives: WOW Vegas, McLuck Casino, High 5 Casino, Pulsz, Funzpoints, Stake.us
- Casino slots: Yes
- Casino table games: Yes
Many of these properties are spread across the state, offering unique experiences at Southern California casinos near San Diego and Palm Springs, or Northern California casinos in scenic locations like Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Foothills. Some of the largest casinos in California can be found in these regions, featuring thousands of slot machines, expansive hotel resorts, and world-class entertainment options. Leading examples include Yaamava’ Resort & Casino near San Bernardino, Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Sacramento, and Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks.
Latest California casino news
Who regulates casinos in California?
The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) and the Bureau of Gambling Control regulate commercial cardrooms in California. There are currently 80 active commercial cardroom licenses, according to the CGCC, and of those there are between 50-60 cardrooms currently operating. There are also 65 tribal casinos in California, run by 62 different tribes. The CGCC ensures that each tribe complies with the terms of its gaming compact with the state. The tribes also have their own gambling commissions, which work with the National Indian Gaming Commission.
If California were to legalize online casinos, the CGCC and the Bureau of Gambling Control would regulate the industry. They would issue licenses, collect fees, and ensure that California online casinos uphold the state’s regulations.
Bonuses to expect at California casino sites
If California legalizes online casinos, you can look forward to many enticing welcome bonuses. Legal operators will offer large casino sign-up bonuses to attract new customers, plus ongoing promotions to reward existing customers for their loyalty. California casino apps would also likely launch alongside desktop platforms, giving players access to generous sign-up bonuses right from their phones. What bonuses could you find at real money online casinos in California? Here are some of the most popular and rewarding promos you can look forward to, plus a comparison of how they stack up against the bonuses you’ll typically find at CA sweepstakes casinos.
| Sweepstakes Casinos | Traditional Online Casinos | |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonuses | Typically provided as a generous amount of GC and SC when you sign up for a new account. | Offered to new customers as an incentive to register. Ex: no deposit bonuses, deposit match bonuses, and bonus spins. You usually can only claim only one welcome bonus at each online casino. |
| No Deposit Bonuses | Additional daily bonuses are often also available to claim on a regular basis. | Provides you with bonus funds immediately after setting up a new account. You do not need to deposit or risk your own money to receive the bonus funds. If you complete the wagering requirements, you can cash out a profit. |
| Deposit Bonuses | These appear in the form of first-purchase offers, generally gifting players with 150-300% extra GC for the price, plus a generous amount of free SC. | Online casinos often match a percentage of your first deposit with bonus credits. Ex: you may be offered a 100% deposit match of up to $1,000. You must then satisfy playthrough requirements before cashing out. |
| Bonus Spins | Bonus spins are offered in place of daily bonuses at some sites or as a bonus reward from time to time at others. | Sometimes offered as part of your sign-up package. Ex: you might be offered a 100% deposit bonus worth up to $500, plus 100 bonus spins on a particular slot. |
| Reload Bonuses | Many sweepstakes casinos offer this in the form of additional discounts and limited-time sales on coin packages. | Will match a percentage of your deposit with site credit. For instance, you might be offered a 50% reload bonus worth up to $100. Be aware that in most cases, bonuses are awarded as site credit (e.g., "bonus cash") and cannot be withdrawn but must be wagered. |
Games at California online casinos
If online casinos in California are legalized, they will offer similar games to those at tribal casinos and cardrooms in the Golden State. Until then, you can play hundreds of online casino games in California at the best social and sweepstakes sites. Some of the games you’ll find include the following:
- Online slots: The sites described above host hundreds of online slots and, in some cases, even more than 1,000. They cover dozens of different themes, from fruit and gems to Ancient Egypt and outer space. You can play simple three-reel slots with low volatility rates, modern games with progressive jackpots, Megaways slots, cluster pays slots, bonus buy slots, and much more.
- Online blackjack: You can also play online blackjack at these sites, and a few of them even offer live dealer blackjack. These games can have a very low house edge, but you need to know when to stand, hit, double down, and split cards.
- Online roulette: Online roulette is another popular table game you’ll sometimes find at the sites discussed above. The best ones offer both virtual and live dealer roulette games, including French, European, and American variants. You can only play a card-based roulette game at tribal casinos and cardrooms in California, so online roulette games offer a strong alternative.
- Online craps: Craps is a popular table game at commercial casinos, and online casinos typically offer both virtual and live dealer craps with a wide range of betting options. However, you won’t usually find online craps at sweepstakes sites, with BetRivers.net being one of the exceptions. In the meantime, you can play card-based craps at tribal casinos and cardrooms in California.
- Live dealer games: Some sweepstakes casinos offer live dealer games, letting players enjoy an authentic casino experience from home. California players can explore live dealer options at McLuck, RealPrize, Stake.us, and other sweepstakes casinos, where they can engage with professional dealers hosting games like blackjack and roulette, capturing the excitement of a real casino.
Gambling responsibly at California online casinos
If you choose to play at a sweepstakes or social casino in California, be sure to gamble responsibly.
Set a strict budget, and do not exceed it. Do not chase losses, and do not gamble when you are stressed, bored, angry, or drunk. Take regular breaks and enjoy casino games in moderation.
If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. The California Office of Problem Gambling can also help, as it provides support and pays for treatment. Another useful resource is the California Council on Problem Gambling site, which provides details about the local support networks in the Golden State, plus information about the statewide voluntary self-exclusion program.
Enjoy California online casino alternatives
There is no legal option to play at an online casino in California just yet, but there are still fun alternatives that let you enjoy casino games legally. Be sure to check out the best online casino in California options we’ve reviewed, explore your choices, and stay patient until online casinos are finally legalized.
A proposition to legalize California online casinos could appear on a future ballot if proponents gather enough signatures. However, getting it approved is a long shot, as they would likely face strong opposition from California tribes. This makes the path to legalization highly uncertain.
Until then, California casino fans can also play Parimutuel Powered Games on platforms like Horseplay and Giddyup. These sites offer casino-style games like slots and roulette with a twist — outcomes are based on real-world horse racing results.
Online Casino California: FAQ
There are no legal online casinos in California. You can only play casino games for real money if you visit a tribal casino or a card room in the Golden State. If you would prefer to play online, you can sign up with a sweepstakes casino. They allow you to play for fun, but you can also, in some cases, redeem your winnings for cash prizes.
The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) regulates card rooms in California. The CGCC also oversees the tribal-state gaming compacts, which allow Native American tribes to run casinos on their lands. The Bureau of Gambling Control helps regulate card rooms, while the California Horse Racing Board regulates pari-mutuel wagering, and the California Lottery Commission oversees the state lottery.
You must be 18 or older to play casino games in California. However, some casinos only accept players aged 21 or older, as they serve alcohol on-site. Anyone aged 18 and up can play at social and sweepstakes casinos online in California.
Online casinos should be perfectly safe if they are licensed and regulated by the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC). The CGCC is part of the Department of Justice, and it will ensure that legal online casinos in California are secure. They will need to offer fast, reliable payouts, and their games will need to be independently verified for fairness.
You cannot win real money in the traditional sense when playing at social and sweepstakes casinos. However, in some instances, you will be able to redeem your winnings for cash prizes or gift cards if you receive free premium coins and successfully play them through. Check the instructions at the individual site for how to go about redeeming your winnings in this way.