Is online gambling legal in California?

Online sweepstakes casinos have been illegal under AB 831 since January 1, 2026. Winnings are subject to California's graduated state income tax of 1% to 12.3%, but California State Lottery winnings are exempt from state and local tax. Cardroom self-exclusion is available statewide through the Bureau of Gambling Control.

Online gambling is not legal here. Playing on offshore sites can get you into legal trouble.

Online sports betting is banned in California. Online casino is banned in California. Online poker is banned in California. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in California.

The minimum age on record for gambling in California is 21+. The minimum legal age is 21 for tribal casinos and licensed cardrooms. For the California State Lottery and pari-mutuel horse racing, the minimum age is 18.

Federal 24% withholding on wins over certain thresholds (e.g., $5,000). Winnings are subject to California's graduated state income tax (1% to 12.3%), but winnings from the California State Lottery are exempt from state and local tax.

No national licence for online gambling exists here, so a site taking deposits from players in California is not licensed locally, whatever licence it shows from elsewhere.

California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) and the Bureau of Gambling Control (BGC)'s website

Prominent operators in California

1. 1

   1. Contact the Operator Directly

   For any dispute at a licensed cardroom or tribal casino, the first step is to attempt resolution with the establishment's management.

2. 2

   2. File a Complaint with the Relevant Regulator

   If the issue is not resolved, for a cardroom dispute, file a formal complaint with the Bureau of Gambling Control (BGC). For a tribal casino dispute, file a complaint with that specific tribe's Gaming Agency or Commission.

3. 3

   3. Escalate to the California Gambling Control Commission (Cardrooms)

   For licensing and regulatory matters involving cardrooms that are not resolved by the BGC, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) is the ultimate state authority.

• ✓
  Verify the Cardroom is Licensed by the State

  Before playing at a cardroom, use the CGCC's public 'Licensee and Registrant Look-Up' tool on their website to confirm the establishment holds a valid State Gambling License.

• ✓
  Confirm the Casino is a Federally Recognized Tribal Operation

  Legal casino gaming is restricted to tribal lands. Ensure the casino you visit is operated by a federally recognized tribe. The CGCC website provides a map of legal tribal casinos and cardrooms.

• ✓
  Understand the Illegality of Online Sites

  Recognize that any website offering real-money online slots, sports betting, or poker to people in California is an illegal, offshore operator. There are no state-licensed online casinos or sportsbooks.

• ✓
  Reject 'Sweepstakes Casino' and Paid 'Daily Fantasy' Apps

  Following the 2025-2026 crackdown, any app or site still offering these products for cash prizes in California is operating in direct violation of state law and should be avoided.

• Myth

  It's legal to bet on offshore sportsbooks like Bovada or BetOnline because they aren't based in the US.
  Reality

  This is false. Under California law, it is illegal to place wagers with these operators. They are unlicensed, unregulated, and offer no consumer protection. State enforcement actions have shown a clear intent to curb illegal online gambling.

• Myth

  Sweepstakes casinos and Daily Fantasy Sports are legal ways to gamble online in California.
  Reality

  This is no longer true. As of January 1, 2026, online sweepstakes casinos are explicitly illegal under AB 831. Furthermore, a July 2025 Attorney General opinion declared paid-entry DFS to be illegal sports wagering.

• Myth

  If I win the lottery in California, I have to pay the state's high income tax on it.
  Reality

  This is false. California is one of the few states that specifically exempts winnings from its own state lottery from state and local income taxes. You are still liable for federal income tax, but you avoid the state tax bill.

What the rules mean for bonus offers you see in California. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.