Legal Sports Betting For California Residents
In light of the Supreme Court decision, bettors everywhere want to know if sports betting is now legal in California. The true answer to this question is yes, it is now legal for the state of California to allow residents to bet on sports. But it is only possible right now through online offshore sportsbooks. For land-based and state-licensed sportsbooks, lawmakers will first have to legalize sports gambling and renegotiate the state-tribal compacts that are in place with Indian casinos. The state will also need to determine if card rooms will be able to accept sports wagers. In the meantime, residents can continue to use the legal California sports betting sites that are based offshore.
Is It Now Legal To Bet On Sports In California?
In light of the Supreme Court decision, bettors everywhere want to know if sports betting is now legal in California. The true answer to this question is yes, it is now legal for the state of California to allow residents to bet on sports. That being said, lawmakers will first have to legalize sports gambling and renegotiate the state-tribal compacts that are in place with Indian casinos. The state will also need to determine if card rooms will be able to accept sports wagers. In the meantime, residents can continue to use the legal California sports betting sites that are based offshore.
California is The Land of Sunshine and Opportunity, and residents of California have the opportunity to gamble at online sportsbooks without fear of prosecution. Californians have pretty easy access to land-based casino gaming, but online sports betting sites are so much more convenient than even a gaming site in your neighborhood that some Californians will always prefer Internet-based sports wagering.
Sports Betting Laws in California
The state of California doesn’t have any laws concerning Internet gambling at all, and it appears that sports wagers placed from within state borders are safe, as long as you are not running an online sportsbook, which would run afoul of existing federal law. You should have no concerns when it comes to legal California sports betting because there are currently no laws on the books. That could change in the future if lawmakers decide to introduce sports betting legislation. There have been some attempts in the past to legalize and regulate sports betting, but they have all failed. But that doesn’t mean that there won’t be more attempts in the future. For now though, there are no California sports betting laws that govern the industry or prevent bettors from wagering at offshore online sportsbooks.
The short answer is: “No.” Not only have there never been any arrests made in California for online gambling, the state’s penal code doesn’t cover Internet wagering at all, meaning there is no law on the books that California-based online gamblers can break. A recent change in the focus of the 1961 Federal Wire Act indicates that the US government is only interested in cracking down on providers of sports betting, not on California online sports bettors themselves.
Bovada is a legitimate and trusted sportsbook for California residents ready to begin betting on their favorite sports teams. The sports betting site offers a wide range of odds allowing Los Angeles Chargers fans a chance to bet on the game outcomes, point spread, or team and player stats. Players can place future bets which gives you a chance to predict how far a team will go in the postseason or you can use the live betting feature and bet on what will happen in the game while the game is in play.
BetOnline is another popular online offshore sportsbook that offers an easy way to bet on sports. Sports fans in California will enjoy the variety of wagering types to choose from on the site such as points spread, money lines, futures, and prop bets that take the betting experience to another level. With prop bets, bettors can place wagers on things like “what will be the first score of the game?” or “how many field goals will be kicked?”.
A secure sportsbook that is available in California and provides a legal platform for bettors to place wagers on sports is SportsBetting. As a Los Angeles Dodgers fan, betting on SportsBetting can be a lot of fun by betting on live games and placing bets like “Will this game go to extra innings?” or “Will the third batter of this inning strikeout?” while watching the game in real-time. There are also parlay bets that allow you to bet on multiple games and bet lines. MyBookie
MyBookie is another online offshore sports betting site for sports bettors in the state. The sportsbook provides odds on various teams and players of professional sports around the world. MyBookie offers a mobile version of the sportsbook that allows you to go out to eat or even to the game and still be able to place bets and make deposits on your phone. Players commonly deposit funds into their accounts by using e-checks, debit or credit cards, or cryptocurrencies.
Xbet is available for bettors in California when betting on the Golden State Warriors or any other teams. There are many NBA bet lines that cover the draft, regular season, and the playoffs. On top of that, the sportsbook also has international sports, NCAA football and basketball, entertainment, political, and horse racing odds on the site for you to enjoy. You can also place wagers on this wide range of events and games using a mobile device or tablet.
How Federal Laws Inpact California Sports Betting
Federal laws impact legal California sports betting in many of the same ways that they effect other states. The law that once had the most influence on sports betting was the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). PASPA made it illegal for state governments to establish land-based sportsbooks. The only exceptions were Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon which already had sportsbooks or sports lotteries. On May 14th, 2018, the federal law was ruled unconstitutional and the federal ban on sports wagering came to an end.
The Wire Act of 1961 was one of the first federal sports betting laws but it still has implications today. The law makes it illegal for gambling operators to use wire communications to transmit interstate sports wagers and information related to bets. Though this only included telephones and telegraphs during its enactment, the Wire Act now extends to sports wagers placed over the internet. However, like most laws, it only applies to US-based operators, not casual bettors. This means that although it seems like online sports betting is illegal, it doesn’t actually do anything to prevent you from making your bets on an online offshore sportsbook.
The Unlawful Internet and Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is one of the most misleading federal laws. The name suggests that internet gambling is illegal, but the law does not prohibit any type of gambling. The UIGEA is a banking regulation that imposes special rules for payment processors and banks that handle online gambling transactions. The law is not directed toward bettors no matter how you look at it, and it only effects sports bettors by making some deposit options less reliable than others - i.e. credit cards. The best way to get around this law legally is by using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
The legal sports betting age in California is either 18 or 21. As there are no land-based sportsbooks in C.A., online sports betting sites are your best bet. Online sportsbooks will often have their own age requirements – accepting bettors as early as 18 years old – which is perfect for California residents. Always wait until you are of legal sports betting age and verify the requirements before visiting an establishment. Underage gambling is a risk that you should not take, unless you want your account to be suspended or terminated.
One of the most important aspects of online sports betting is being able to make legal deposits and withdrawals. Legal California sports betting sites will always offer several convenient methods that bettors can use to move money around their accounts. Bitcoin is the best banking method that sports fans can use. The digital currency is decentralized, meaning that there is no central bank to decline your payment. Transactions are 100% guaranteed, whether making a deposit or requesting a withdrawal. Online sports betting sites do not charge fees for using bitcoin, and deposits are applied to our account almost instantly. When requesting a withdrawal, your funds will reach your wallet in as little as 5 hours.
Other legal deposit methods include checks, bank wire transfers, and gift cards. You can learn more about the banking options that specific sites provide by reading our legal online sportsbook reviews.
How Can I Tell If An Online Book Is Legal and Regulated?
All legal California sports betting sites will have their credentials outlined on the site. Many times, there will be certification badges at the bottom of the home page, or, you can find information in the “About Us” section. You may also find regulatory details within the site’s terms and conditions.
Are Mobile Sports Betting Apps Available in California?
Mobile sports betting apps are legal in California, with many residents preferring this flexible option while they are on the go. Online sportsbooks will offer a mobile platform that allows you to take your sportsbook to the bar, the office, a game, or anywhere else. You have access to the same wide selection of sports and wager types that you would from the desktop site. Instead of having to download a separate app, you can visit the online sports betting site from the browser on your smartphone or tablet and be directed to their responsive website. The mobile-optimized sportsbook saves you the time and space of having to download a traditional app.
Is It Legal To Bet On Live Games In California?
Live betting is one of the most exciting features provided by online sportsbooks- and it is completely legal. You can watch major sporting events like the NBA Playoffs and bet live on Golden State or any of your other favorite teams. Live betting odds are available throughout the game and you can bet props, moneylines, and totals. When you want the most interactive sports betting experience, wager on live betting odds.
Can You Legally Bet On Politics In California?
Legal California sports betting sites offer something for everyone, including entertainment and political betting odds. The political betting industry may see the most action near election time, but you can start betting on United States and European political events before votes are cast. In the Props & Futures section, you will find a wide selection of betting odds including who will win the Presidential Election, which political party will take office, and much more.
Pro and College Teams in California to Bet On
Legal California sports betting action is exciting because there are more pro and college teams to bet on than just about anywhere else. The Golden State has long been considered a sports mecca, and residents of the state will not be disappointed when they explore the different California teams to bet on at online sportsbooks. If we were to provide a full list it would be 20 + teams long, so we will provide you with some of the most popular CA teams to bet on.
College
- UCLA Bruins
- USC Trojans
- Stanford Cardinal
- UC Berkeley Golden Bears
Professional
- Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA)
- LA Chargers (NFL)
- LA Lakers (NBA)
- Oakland A's (MLB)
- Oakland Raiders (NFL)
- San Diego Padres (MLB)
- San Francisco 49'ers (NFL)
- San Francisco Giants (MLB)