You can’t play at an online casino in California yet, and likely won’t be able to anytime soon as they aren’t legal. California has had very little luck in its efforts to legalize online casinos and other forms of gambling of virtually any kind.
However, Californians can play at top sweepstakes and social online casinos right now, including at sites such as WOW Vegas, McLuck Casino, High 5 Casino, Pulsz and others. Anyone 18 years old or above in California can play slots, table games, and even live dealer games at these sites. The games are free to play and in some cases offer ways to redeem winnings for cash prizes.
Read on for everything you need to know about California online casinos, including information about current options and more about what may come in the future.
Best California online casino alternatives
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Are casinos legal in California?
Yes, but online casinos are not. Real money online casinos have not been legalized in California. The state’s Native American tribes have resisted any attempts to expand online gambling in California, making it difficult for proponents to enact change. However, anyone in California who is 18 and older can legally play at social and sweepstakes casinos.
Top online casino alternatives
Our reviewers have evaluated the game selection, bonuses, software, security, and customer support at every online casino alternative in California. Here are our current picks for the top casinos to play in California.

WOW Vegas
WOW Vegas offers a large library of over 700 slots including favorite titles from top developers such as Pragmatic Play, Novomatic, and Betsoft. You’ll find several progressive jackpot slots among the selections as well as lots of ongoing promos such as daily and weekly giveaways in the Prize Drops Lobby, Lunchtime Loot, Wowzer Prize Drop Games, and Wake Up and Win.

McLuck Casino
McLuck Casino is another great option for California players. You’ll find around 750 slots at McLuck including classics from NetEnt, Pragmatic, Playson and other top studios plus many exclusive in-house games as well. You can also even play live dealer games at McLuck, including live dealer blackjack, baccarat, and roulette.
High 5 Casino
High 5 Casino boasts the largest game library of any of the sites we’ve reviewed with well over 1,000 games from which to choose. Like McLuck, High 5 Casino also boasts live dealer games with 15 tables available where you can play blackjack, baccarat, roulette and casino poker. Keep an eye out for other promos and perks at High 5 Casino such as the “Boosts on Demand” option awarding free spins and multiplier payouts.
Pulsz
If you like playing online slots, Pulsz is another top choice. There are more than 700 slots in the Pulsz collection, sourced from major providers like NetEnt, Playson, and Relax Gaming. You’ll find favorite titles like Starburst and Hot Triple Sevens among the choices. Pulsz also offers a small selection of table games that includes multi-hand blackjack and Texas hold’em poker.

Crown Coins
Crown Coins is a slots-only casino with over 350 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 for up to 0 days in a row.
Stake.us
Stake.us also offers a terrific selection of online casino games for players in California. The game library features close to 700 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 as well for the site’s exclusive arcade-style games, plus online scratch cards.
Other options to play online casino games in California
In addition to the above options, you can also test your luck at:
- Real Prize Casino
- Sweepslots Casino
- Sweeptastic Casino
- Vegas Gems Casino
- Zula Online Casino
California online casino laws
Tribal casinos in California support 184,701 jobs and create a $34.56 billion annual economic impact, according to a report from the American Gaming Association. As such, the tribes have fiercely resisted any attempts to legalize online gambling in California, as they fear 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 legalize 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
Who regulates casinos in California?
The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) and the Bureau of Gambling Control regulate commercial cardrooms in the Golden State. 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 online casinos uphold the state’s regulations.
When will real money online casinos be legalized in California?
California is highly unlikely to legalize online casinos any time soon. As mentioned above, efforts to legalize sports betting (including online sports betting) have been met with strong opposition in the state, which makes the prospects for online casinos even less likely. Not only would California tribes oppose attempts to legalize online casinos, but other interested parties in the state would likely work to stop such efforts as well.
Perhaps the only realistic way to legalize online casinos in CA would be to hand the tribes total control of the market. However, that would be a long, drawn-out process, which could take many years, so there are no immediate prospects of legal online casinos in California.
Bonuses to expect at California online casinos
If California legalizes online casinos, you can look forward to many bonuses. Legal operators will offer large sign-up bonuses to attract new customers, plus ongoing promotions to reward existing customers for their loyalty. These are some of the most common promo types that online casinos offer.
Welcome bonuses provide new customers with an incentive to register with a particular California online casino. Examples include no deposit bonuses, deposit match bonuses, and bonus spins. You usually can only claim only one welcome bonus at each online casino.
This offer provides you with bonus funds immediately after you set 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.
A California online casino may offer to match a percentage of your first deposit with bonus credits. For example, you may be offered a 100% deposit match of up to $1,000. You must then satisfy playthrough requirements before cashing out.
Some California online casinos may provide you with bonus spins as part of your sign-up package. For example, you might be offered a 100% deposit bonus worth up to $500, plus 100 bonus spins on a particular slot.
A reload bonus rewards existing customers for topping up their balances. The California online casino 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 California online casinos 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 games at the best social and sweeps sites in California. 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 the online roulette games offer a strong alternative.
Online craps
Craps is a commonly found table game option at real money casinos. California online casinos that use real money typically offer virtual and live dealer craps games, which provide a vast range of betting options. However, you usually won’t find online craps at the non-real money sites. In the meantime, you can play card-based craps at tribal casinos and cardrooms in California.
California online casino responsible gambling
We urge all readers always 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 that 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
Although online casinos in California aren’t legal yet, there are still some fun alternatives that will allow you to enjoy casino games legally in the state. Review your options and stay patient until online casinos are finally legalized in the state.
A proposition seeking to legalize online casinos in California could be added to a future ballot if proponents can gather enough signatures. However, a California online casino proposition would probably face fierce resistance from California tribes, making it highly unlikely to succeed.