Best California Online Casinos in 2025

Jane Shaw By Jane Shaw Editor at Casinos.US Updated: January 30, 2025
Jane Shaw Jane Shaw Editor at Casinos.US See Full Bio

We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she's our gambling tech expert. Jane's also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

Top Online Casinos in California

Casino Welcome Bonus Type Slots All Games Excluded States Rating Secure Link Terms
2,000,000 Coins No Deposit Required Social 200+ 200+ 4.95/5 PLAY NOW! Valid only for new players 21+ in all states except Michigan, Idaho, Rhode Island, Tennesse, and Washington. Full T&Cs apply.
Up to 100,000 Free Coins Sweepstakes 300+ 300+ 4.90/5 PLAY NOW! Valid only for new players 21+ in all states except Michigan, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington. Full T&Cs apply.
Up to 1,000,000 Coins Sweepstakes 500+ 500+ 4.90/5 PLAY NOW! Valid only for new players 21+ in all states except Michigan, Idaho, Nevada, Kentucky, and Washington. Full T&Cs apply.
150,000 WOW Coins + 2 Sweepstakes Coins Sweepstakes 1,330+ 1,340+ 4.85/5 PLAY NOW! Valid only for new players 21+ in all states except Michigan, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington. Full T&Cs apply.
5,000 Gold Coins + 2.3 Sweepstakes Coins Social 550+ 550+ 4.80/5 PLAY NOW! Valid only for new players 21+ in all states except Idaho, Nevada, and Washington. Full T&Cs apply.
100,000 Crown Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins Sweepstakes 300+ 300+ 4.75/5 PLAY NOW! Valid only for new players 21+ in all states except Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, Washington, Montana, Louisiana. Full T&Cs apply.
Up to 250,000,000 Gold Coins + 25,000 Free Stake Cash Sweepstakes 1,000+ 1,020+ 4.75/5 PLAY NOW! Valid only for new players 21+ in all states except New York, Michigan, Idaho, Nevada, Kentucky, Vermont, and Washington. Full T&Cs apply.

The Status of Online Gambling in California

1933 The California Horse Racing Act legalized pari-mutuel betting on horse racing events.
1984 The California State Lottery Act of 1984 legalized lottery games. Card rooms were also allowed to operate in the state.
1987 The California Gambling Control Commission was established to regulate card rooms and clubs in the Golden State.
1998 Native American casinos owned and operated by local tribes were legalized in California.
2018 The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned by the Supreme Court.
2024 The California Tribal Sports Betting Initiative (#23-0031), which could have legalized online and in-person sports wagering, failed to enter the 2024 general election ballot.

When it comes to gambling, California is one of the most restrictive US states. As of writing this article, online gambling remains illegal with only a very few exceptions, including social and sweepstakes casino sites. Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing events has been legal in the Golden State since 1933.

As you can see in the legalization timeline above, a few decades later, in 1984, lottery games and card clubs were also legalized. This led to the establishment of the California Gambling Control Commission, which main purpose is to regulate the market by imposing strict rules and safety standards.

Native American casinos were legalized in 1998, and today, there are more than 70 establishments owned by local tribes. Following the 2018 overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), several unsuccessful attempts were made to legalize sports betting and real money online casinos in California.

You won't find any legal online casinos in California. Any such platforms you can access from the state are not regulated, which means they could potentially be dangerous, so you should steer clear of them. Your best alternative is the available social and sweepstakes casino sites in the Golden State.

Legal Online Casinos in California

Sweepstakes vs. Real Money Casinos

At a social casino in California, you can play entirely free of charge by using virtual currencies with no real-world value. Most of these platforms also operate on a sweepstakes basis, meaning you can win and purchase sweeps coins, which you can redeem for real money prizes like cash and gift cards.

  • Free-to-play games
  • Limited risk involved
  • Possible real money prizes
  • Focus on the social factor
  • Smaller potential prizes
  • Often smaller game selections

The social and sweepstakes gambling sites are your closest alternative to California real money casinos, which remain unavailable. They have many positives, including lower risk, free-to-play games, and a significant focus on the social factor. On the other hand, these sites offer smaller potential prizes, if any, and may have fewer games in their portfolios.

What Casino Games are Available?

Social and sweepstakes casinos offer a wide variety of games, including the best online slots, blackjack, and roulette titles. Some of the recommended platforms even feature live dealer tables and sports betting. While not as extensive as the selections at real money gambling sites, they still promise plenty of entertainment.

California Casino Apps

Most of the best California online casinos operating on social and sweepstakes basis don't support native apps. However, all of them are perfectly optimized for mobile devices. They provide the same features you can expect to find at the best online casino apps, including popular games, easy navigation, attractive promotions, and quality customer service.

If you insist on trying a casino app in California, you have a few options. Crown Coins Casino, for example, supports a native iOS platform, and the same applies to High 5 Casino. Both platforms are rated highly by both users and our gambling experts. You can try them out for yourself using the safe links provided by our team.

Deposit and Withdrawals

Social California casinos allow for free play only, so there aren't any payouts. At sweepstakes platforms, you can purchase coin packages and potentially win real money prizes such as cash and gift cards. There are safe payment methods for deposits and withdrawals, including debit cards, prepaid cards, online banking, and e-Wallets.

Some of the most popular options we came across are PayPal, Skrill, and Bank Transfer. The leading Visa online casinos are also rather favored among players. As usual, deposits are instant, whereas withdrawals may take between 1-5 days, depending on the site and your preferred payment method. Platforms like Stake.us also offer a chance to use cryptocurrencies.

Local Casinos in California

There are more than 70 casinos in California, including tribal establishments and cruise ships. Some of the most popular gambling destinations in the Golden State are Pechanga Resort Casino, Yamava Resort & Casino, and Harrah's Resort Southern California. You can play slot machines, table games, and poker.

Responsible Gambling in California

Whether you're playing at the best California online casinos or land-based establishments, you should always stick to responsible gambling. If you notice any of the early signs of compulsive gambling (overspending in terms of time and money, chasing losses, etc.), you should seek immediate assistance.

There's a wide range of responsible gambling tools, resources, and services in California. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is one of them, and so are the California Council on Problem Gambling, Gam Talk, and Gambling Therapy. They provide professional support to both gamblers and their families and friends.

Offshore Casino Sites to Avoid

Offshore casinos are not regulated by any of the official gambling authorities in the US which means they don't operate legally in the country. In the list below, we've included a few of the platforms you should avoid at all costs. They may have unclear or altogether missing data protection protocols and safety standards.

  • Bovada
  • Ignition
  • Stake.com
  • Wild Casino
  • MyBookie

Unlike the best online casinos in CA, such unlicensed platforms don't undergo regular audits by independent companies like iTechLabs, so they can offer unfair odds and refuse to payout. You want to avoid that, especially if you're playing with real money deposits and bets. Your safety and protection should be your number one priority at California casinos online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What legal gambling options are there in California?

The State Lottery, Native American casinos, pari-mutuel horse wagering, and card clubs are all allowed. There aren't many options for legal online gambling in California, except for social and sweepstakes casino sites. Reputable platforms like RealPrize.com, Hard Rock Games, and Crown Coins Casino are among your options.

Will California legalize real money online casinos?

Only time can tell. Any attempts to do so have been unsuccessful, but that doesn't mean that things can't change in the future. Make sure to follow this space, where we publish the latest news from the gambling industry in the US. For now, you can try the available social and sweepstakes California casino sites.

Who regulates gambling in California?

The official gambling regulator is the California Gambling Control Commission, which was established back in 1987 and has its headquarters in Sacramento. The Bureau of Gambling Control also plays an essential role in ensuring a safe and legal environment for players from the state.

What can I win at social casino sites?

Most of the best California online casinos operate on a social basis and are all about free-to-play games, so there are no real money bets or prizes. Some also operate as sweepstakes platforms, meaning you can win or purchase sweep coins, which you can redeem for cash and gift cards.

Can I gamble online in California with a VPN?

The legal casino sites in California use geolocation software to verify your location. This means you won't be able to access a platform using a VPN. You may want to bypass some of the regulations in the industry, but we strongly advise against it. Play only at the best online casinos in CA with rigorous safety measures.
Jane Shaw
Jane Shaw Editor at Casinos.US

When speaking of gambling tech, Jane is our specialist. She's our slots expert, and with her B.S. in Engineering, you can rely on her to explain complicated game mechanics. Keeping up with casino trends, she'll update you on the latest games and innovative features.

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