Author:
Ashley
Last Updated:
29/08/2024
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
CA born, casino expert
Topic:
US States
Experiences:
CA born, casino expert
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Table of Contents
- Who is this article suitable for? – Every Californian online gambling fan
- The legal history of online gambling in California – Still keeping our fingers crossed
- Editor’s recommendation – The best online gambling operator for users in California – BetMGM
- Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in California – Separating the wheat from the chaff
- What do we look for when evaluating operators for California residents? – Our secret sauce
- Our top CA casino providers
- Finding the right operator for you – Find your favorite flavor
- Conclusion – Only settle for the best
- Latest CA casino bonuses
- Online Gambling California FAQ
Who is this article suitable for? – Every Californian online gambling fan
Pretty much every online bookmaker attempts to lure in betting enthusiasts by offering something remotely close to satisfactory gambling products. But the modern bettor has become more knowledgeable about gambling services and can differentiate a below-par betting experience from an exceptional one.
As such, many bettors in California expect the best of everything or nothing. That’s regardless of whether gambling in California is legal or not. Even if it means looking to their neighboring states and abroad for out-of-this-world gaming, signing up with the best bookie is mandatory.
If we’ve described you to a tee, you might want to stick around and get a map that leads to the best betting experience. Whether you’re a newbie keen on tackling online gambling as a hobby or you’ve been around the block, you’ll find this article useful. Despite the legal nitty-gritty surrounding online gambling in California currently being sub-optimal, the good news is bettors residing in the state can still enjoy their favorite pastime.
We’ll first explore the legal journey that online gambling has gone through in California. Our guide will then draw your attention to the bookies worth signing up with to enjoy a fulfilling betting experience. We’ll also highlight our time-proven criteria for reviewing bookies. To help you start off on the right foot, we’ll even throw in a recommendation for the bookie we consider the best of the Californian lot.
The legal history of online gambling in California – Still keeping our fingers crossed
Is online gambling legal in California? That’s the topical question on the minds of bettors who stay in the Golden State, especially those who are still new to the activity. The short answer is no. Legalizing online gambling in CA is an ongoing debate among the relevant authorities. We’ll let you know that online gambling has been banned in the United States for a longest time.
That was not until the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the Federal Sports Betting ban in May 2018, a total game-changer on the American gambling scene. By prohibiting any form of gambling in America, states were now allowed to carve out their own sports wagering paths after the Protection and Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was repealed. In other words, each state was free to authorize and regulate betting within its confines as it saw fit.
States like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Mississippi ran with this opportunity and authorized sports betting. Other states have legalized other forms of online gambling as well, including casino gaming, fantasy sports, and lotteries.
The Golden State, however, seems to have dragged its feet concerning authorizing online gambling in CA. Despite numerous attempts to legalize California internet gambling, things are moving at a slower pace. But for the time being, you can still visit neighboring states open to legal sports betting to participate in the activity, even if you don’t permanently reside there.
If you fear getting prosecuted for betting online, don’t. Currently, there aren’t any laws prohibiting bettors residing in CA from placing bets online. That means should you do so, you won’t be facing any prosecution. Only when you decide to set up online gambling sites within the state do you risk rubbing up authorities the wrong way.
But are the prospects of online gambling California set to change for the better soon? We can only keep our fingers crossed. Proponents of homegrown CA betting platforms are also banking on the potential tax benefits associated with online gambling to hopefully sway even the most impassive authorities towards legalizing local bookies.
Editor’s recommendation – The best online gambling operator for users in California – BetMGM
With the status of gambling in California still hanging in the balance, players will have to make do by logging into bookies from other states. We did our research on the best bookmakers open to Californian bettors, and BetMGM took the cup. BetMGM is a leading sports betting site that uses state-of-the-art technology to give punters a rewarding gambling experience.
Launched in 2018, the sportsbook is still relatively new to the game but has managed to win the hearts of many players across the United States. The bookie is fully licensed to operate and holds a license from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. But despite having its headquarters in New Jersey, it welcomes tourists from several states in the U.S.—including CA. Dubbed the online sportsbook king, BetMGM covers numerous sports, from Archery to Water polo and every classic sport you can think of in between. The bookie offers countless betting options and covers events in prominent markets such as the NBA, NFL, NHL, and PGA tours.
To provide you with a complete betting experience, the bookie also features hundreds of casinos and poker games. Call it a one-stop shop for the ultimate online gambling experience. Placing a bet is simple and choosing a payment option is even simpler. You have several credible banking options to pick from, such as Paypal and Skrill. Exclusive promotions and rewards programs are also part of the deal. Overall, this is the bookie you want to sign up with for a well-rounded betting experience and to get around the speed bumps associated with gambling in California.
Five tips for a secure and fair gambling experience in California – Separating the wheat from the chaff
We mentioned how online gambling California is currently not allowed. But we also expressed how much we prefer to be optimistic regarding the future of online casinos in CA. With that in mind, we’ll go ahead and give you a few tips to be wary of should California’s online gambling sites become legal. These tips will ensure you enjoy a safe, fair, and secure gambling experience when you sift through a California online casino list.
What do we look for when evaluating operators for California residents? – Our secret sauce
We’re never ones to mislead you by providing you with biased and misguided reviews of bookmakers. Objectivity is our hallmark when evaluating operators. To avoid haphazardly conducting this important exercise, we bank on trusted strict criteria that never fail us. Ultimately, we want you to have the key information necessary to make sound comparisons when choosing your bookie.
Site usability
Few things frustrate seasoned bettors more than a disorganized bookmaking website. We understand how switching between sports, placing bets, and making payments hassle-free is necessary for both new and established bettors. As such, we evaluate a bookmaker’s site to ascertain things like navigation, speed, and user-friendliness. Decent CA online gambling apps go a long way toward helping with seamless usability.
Gambling options
We are exploring the betting options covered by the bookie to see if it offers enough variety to keep you entertained. Depending on their sport of interest, leagues like the NHL, EPL, NBA, and premier leagues are non-negotiable. A CA online real money casino section that’s brimming with California online slots, table games, and live dealer titles is also a must-have.
Range of markets and software providers
Different bettors specialize in different sports. That’s why we’re keen to review the selection of markets available in their areas of specialization. Does it provide basic markets like match winners, score lines, and over/under? Does the bookie take it a step further to include other markets like the Asian handicap? When it comes to casino sections, we look at the software providers who are responsible for creating the game selection. Our idea of worthy bookmakers are those not afraid to stretch their capacity and include the best of everything.
Competitive odds and RTPs
The odds and return to player percentages provided by a sportsbook can either ensure you wind up with a beefed-up bankroll or not. We’re guessing all bettors are inclined to hope for the former. That’s why we always look at whether online gambling sites provide competitive and reliable odds and RTPs. If they don’t, we’ll gladly point that out.
Live betting, live streaming, and live dealer gaming
Every progressive bookmaker has jumped onto the trend of offering live betting opportunities. No longer should punters wait only to place bets before the game starts. Over and above, offering events that are open to in-play betting, we will check if you can stream the events live as well. That way, you can see how your bets play out in real time for added transparency. Instead of having you drive all the way to your closest land-based casino, we always check if each bookie has a live dealer section to bring the card and tables action to your home.
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Finding the right operator for you – Find your favorite flavor
LasVegas-How-To.com is to bettors what a candy store is to kids. You’ll find numerous reviews of prominent bookies that are so open to Californian punters so much that choosing one won’t be easy. To help you pick the best sportsbook that meets your individual needs, we’ve structured the following questions that you need to ask yourself.
Are you new to sports betting?
Starting a new adventure can be intimidating if you’re not equipped with the correct information. Pick a bookie with an extensive help section to help you along should you find yourself stuck in a betting rut. If you can find one with a live chat platform, you can have your questions answered in real time.
Are you into nighttime gambling?
Speaking of the customer service team, sometimes you’re more comfortable betting at night, and that’s okay. If you fall into this category, it will help to find a bookmaker that offers 24-hour support, so you’re covered round the clock.
Are you a cautious gambler?
Look for sites that’ll help you practice cautious gambling with the help of maximum bet limits so you always stay true to your betting style. In the same vein, should you wish to take a betting sabbatical, a bookie that offers a self-exclusion program and responsible gambling tips will come in handy.
Do you love betting on the go?
If you love betting at any time and any place, you’d do well to look for a bookie that offers mobile sports betting. That way, you can use your smart device to log in to the site from almost anywhere. Also, make sure the mobile platform operates smoothly with zero glitches and system downtimes.
When faced with numerous bookie options, many new bettors find it challenging to keep these factors straight. If you ever feel unsure that you’re making the right decision, you can always refer to LasVegas-How-To.com guides and reviews.
Conclusion – Only settle for the best
The laws surrounding online gambling in CA aren’t favorable to the Golden State’s gaming community yet. But the US has seen a paradigm shift in the legal gaming landscape, from outright banning online gambling to being open to the idea. Californians, therefore, have every reason to be hopeful. So, despite the absence of legal CA online gambling sites, it doesn’t mean gamers have to toss their hobby.
More progressive states that have repealed the PASPA are open to the idea of Californians visiting their locales to log in. Offshore gambling sites are also ready and willing to accommodate CA bettors. But that certainly doesn’t mean every sportsbook you see is worth your time. That’s where we come in to help you make the right selection by reviewing some of the best sportsbooks on the market. We do, however, promise to keep you updated on legislative changes, so keep checking LasVegas-How-To.com for the latest information.
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