Best California Online Casinos 2025
California gambling law remains complex and restrictive for Golden State online casino players. All online gambling for real money is illegal. Land-based casinos and poker rooms can operate legally in the state. Sweepstakes and social casinos are available in CA, offering casino-style games that you can play without spending a dime.
Our experts will guide you through California's online gambling world on this page. We’ll highlight some of the best California sweepstakes casinos, check out some games, and provide information on registering and claiming a welcome bonus.
We’ll also examine the history of California gambling, prospects for online casino legalization, and some fantastic land-based facilities available in the Golden State.
Our Top Five Recommended California Casinos
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Top Legal Games to Play at California Casinos
California offers a variety of legal gambling options and has some of the most complex gambling laws in the United States. The vast majority of CA gambling is land-based – tribal casinos and card rooms operate a range of games, while social and sweepstakes casinos offer online games. In addition, pari-mutuel horse racing betting, lottery, and charitable gaming are available for players and bettors.
Best Casino Games to Win Real Money in California
Sweepstakes casinos often feature the same exciting games as real money sites. Popular slot titles, progressive jackpots, table games like blackjack, poker, baccarat, and even live dealer experiences are available at the best sweepstakes casinos – and you can join in the fun without spending a dime.
Slots
Blackjack
Roulette
Live Dealer
Crash Games
Card Games
Baccarat
Arcade
Bingo
Casual Games
Craps
Dice Games
Fish Shooting
Game Shows
Instant Games
Keno
Other
Scratch Cards
Slingo
Table Games
Video Poker
Virtual Sports
Spinmatic
Amatic Industries
Barcrest Games
Spinmatic
SmartSoft Gaming
Casino Web Scripts
How to Win Real Money on Casino Games in California
Sweepstakes and social casinos are the only places to play casino games in California. Virtual currency can be purchased, claimed via promotions, earned for logging in, or by sharing social media posts. SC can eventually be redeemed for real-life prizes, gift cards, and, in some cases, cash.
California Online Gambling Overview
California Gambling Law
California remains one of the strictest states in the US regarding gambling. Despite several high-profile attempts to legalize sports betting in the Golden State, online casino games, sports betting, and poker are illegal. Tribal casinos and poker rooms are legal, however, and have been the most vocal opponents of any effort to legalize gambling in CA.
Federally recognized tribes in California have been offering bingo rooms since the 1970s. These bingo rooms proved successful, and more tribes began offering small-scale gambling until the 1987 Supreme Court decision in California vs. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, which reaffirmed the right of tribal authorities to offer gambling on tribal lands.
This led to the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988. IGRA allowed tribes to sign gaming compacts with states to allow slot machines, blackjack, craps, and keno. California voters approved Proposition 1A in 2000, which amended the state constitution to allow Class III gaming on California tribal lands. This launched an explosion of tribal casinos, and today, 65 tribal land-based facilities are open in the Golden State.
The only legal way to “gamble” online in CA is with social and sweepstakes casinos, as these sites do not allow you to wager real money. Therefore, you aren’t technically gambling since you use virtual currency to play games.
In addition, the state has several poker rooms that offer card games. Unlike casino games, card games have never been illegal in California, and there are 66 card rooms available in the state. These establishments date back to 1872.
How to Play With California Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos must complete a series of verification processes for fraud prevention. Don’t worry – this process is super simple, and using our guide below, you’ll be playing casino-style games at CA sweepstakes casinos in no time.
- Follow any link on this page to access a California sweepstakes casino.
- Select the registration option located at the top of the page.
- To verify your identity, provide personal information, including your name, address, email, and telephone number. Some sites allow you to register with Facebook or Google.
- Create a secure password and complete the registration process.
- Claim your welcome bonus, and take advantage of any reload bonuses.
- Navigate to the casino lobby and select your first game.
Accepted California Online Casino Banking Methods
You can purchase virtual currency at California sweepstakes casinos, which can be used to play slots and table games. However, since most sites provide plenty of free coins through welcome bonuses and reload promotions, you may never need to buy coins to spin the reels of slots.
If you’re ready to top up your bankroll and make your first GC purchase, follow our step-by-step guide to add funds to your account.
- Sign up for an account by following any link to a CA sweepstakes casino on this page.
- Once you’ve signed up, head to the payment page to purchase coins, selecting the coin package and your preferred payment method.
- Follow the instructions from your payment method to fund your account.
- Once the payment is confirmed, use your newly funded casino wallet to play casino-style games.
Common purchase methods include bank cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Most sweeps sites let you exchange your winnings for gift cards or cash using bank transfers. Below, we’ve provided a list of the most common banking methods available at CA social casinos.
| Payment Method | Purchases? | Redemptions? |
|---|---|---|
Debit Cards
| Yes | Sometimes |
PayPal
| Yes | Sometimes |
Bank Transfer
| Yes | Yes |
Skrill
| Yes | Sometimes |
Credit Cards
| Yes | Sometimes |
Gift Cards
| No | Yes |
Who Can Play at California Online Casinos?
Players must be 21 or older to gamble legally in California at casinos with an alcohol license, and 18 or older at tribal casinos without an alcohol license. However, remember that online gambling is currently illegal in the Golden State. Only California sweepstakes casinos are available for players, and these sites allow players aged 18 or older.
What Legal Requirements Must Players Meet for California Casinos?
Players at California sweepstakes casinos must be aged 18 or older and be able to verify their age using proof of photo ID. Their verification process usually takes a few days to complete. While this is being completed, you’ll generally be able to purchase coins, but you might not be able to claim prizes.
Who Regulates Online Casinos in California?
The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) regulates casinos in California. The commission was founded in 1997 to regulate poker rooms and later expanded to all casino operations in the state. If California legalizes online gambling, the CGCC will likely be responsible for regulating online casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks in the Golden State.
California Casino Apps for Players
Mobile sweepstakes casinos make it easy for players to enjoy casino-style games anywhere, anytime. Built on HTML5 technology and optimized for mobile browsers, the best sweeps sites boast user-friendly iOS and Android apps for a more immersive mobile gaming experience.
California Casino Apps for Android
If you want to enjoy casino-style games on your Android device, you’re in the right place. Plenty of choices exist for players who love spinning slots or trying their luck at table games on their smartphones or tablets. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some of the top California social casino apps on the Google Play Store.
California Casino Apps for iOS
Many California sweepstakes casinos for iOS mobile devices offer a more immersive experience designed with your iPhone or iPad in mind. Below, we’ve examined a range of social casino apps available on the App Store, and listed the best sweepstakes casino apps below.
History of Online Gambling Laws In California
Tribes, voter initiatives, and legislative efforts have shaped California’s online gambling laws. From the early efforts to bring gambling to the Golden State, to significant gambling operators attempting to legalize mobile sports betting, let’s take a closer look at the key milestones in CA’s online gambling history.
Timeline for Online Casino Gambling in California
1980
The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians began offering a tribally owned poker room and bingo hall in California.
1997
California passes the Gambling Control Act, creating the California Gambling Control Commission.
March 7, 2000
California voters approve Proposition 1A by a margin of 64% to 36%, allowing the state to amend its constitution to allow Class III Gaming on tribal lands. Viejas Casino becomes the first to offer slot machines in CA.
December 14, 2020
Tribal leaders submit 1.4 million signatures for the California Sports Wagering and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act, aiming to qualify for the November 2022 ballot. A few months later, it was announced that it would be placed on the ballot.
August 21, 2021
A new initiative, the California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act, is proposed by major gambling operators to legalize mobile sports betting. It also reached the required signatures to be placed on the November 22 ballot.
November 8, 2022
The California Sports Wagering and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act and voters heavily defeat California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act. This is the most expensive ballot initiative campaign in history, with nearly $450 million spent by tribes and gambling operators.
Legal vs Offshore Casinos in California: What’s the Difference?
Some offshore casino sites will claim to offer online casino games for real money, but it is important to note that these sites are not regulated by US or California law.
Unlicensed operators are not held to the strict standards of regulators like the CGCC to ensure secure payments, responsible gambling, fair gameplay, and data protection. It is essential to stay safe to avoid offshore casino sites. These sites pose significant risks as these platforms lack accountability.
Players have no legal protection for fraud, disputes, or unfair practices. You are also unprotected in the event your casino does not pay out. In the future, should online casino gaming be legalized in California, regulators will ensure that measures to keep you safe are upheld.
Land-based Casinos in California
Currently, there are 65 tribal casinos in California, offering players in the Golden State a range of slot machines, table games, and sometimes poker. You will also find various entertainment options, restaurants, and concert venues at these sites. Below, we’ve listed all the land-based casinos in California.
Yaamava' Resort & Casino
Operated by the United Auburn Indian Community, the Yaamava’ Resort and Casino opened in 2003 and has 144,500 square feet of gaming space. It entered into a tribal-state compact in 1999 and today features over 7,400 slots, table games, and a poker room. The site also features a 432-room hotel and a 3,000-seat concert venue. It also features several restaurants and bars, including a George Lopez-themed restaurant.
Pechanga Resort and Casino
Pechanga Resort and Casino, owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, is one of the oldest gambling establishments in California. It opened as a Bingo Hall in 1986. It features 290,000 square feet of total gaming space, over 5,500 slots, table games, a poker room, a golf course, and a 1,200-capacity concert venue. The Pechanga Events Center has also hosted live events like Bellator MMA and Thai Kickboxing.
Thunder Valley Casino Resort
Opened in June 2002, the Thunder Valley Casino Resort has over 3,000 slot machines, 125 table games, and a live poker room with a capacity of 160. The resort also features a luxury hotel, a 1,000-capacity entertainment hall, a spa, a 4,500 entertainment venue hosting The Eagles and Gwen Stefani, and 14 restaurants and bars.
FAQs
Are online casinos legal in California?
Only social and sweepstakes casinos are available in California. Online casinos, like all forms of online gambling for real money, remain illegal in the Golden State.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in California?
Yes. Sweepstakes casinos only accept bets with virtual currency, so you can play casino-style games at these sites in California without spending a dollar.
What are the best online casinos in California?
The best online casinos in California include RealPrize Casino, Hello Millions, WOW Vegas, Stake.us, and High5 Casino. Click any links to register, claim your welcome bonus, and get started.
Are California online casinos safe?
The California online casinos recommended on this page are safe, as they conform to our experts’ high standards. Our reviewing criteria include payment safety, fair games, and transparent terms and conditions.
Can I claim bonuses at California casinos?
Of course, you can claim bonuses at CA social casinos, although these bonuses are redeemed in virtual currency that you can use to play games and Sweepstakes Coins that can be redeemed for gift cards and prizes.
