Online gambling in California is simple, easy, and legal. The best online casinos in CA feature a full range of online slots, blackjack, roulette, and other classic casino games. Because Californians play in offshore online casinos, the key is finding sites known for their fairness and safety measures. Our guide to California online casinos provides all the information needed to make a good decision.
Our casino reviews discuss the number and type of games available, the software providers, the welcome bonus information, other promotions, and deposit options. Of the hundreds of possible options, we narrow the choice down to a handful of casino sites that meet our standards. Once you separate the wheat from the chaff, players who choose the right option can have a lot of fun with the online gambling at California online casino sites.
How to Compare the Best California Online Casinos
If you're not sure what to look at when determining the quality of an online casino, here is a quick checklist that covers all the bases. Put these in the order that you find most important, then choose the casino that fits your wants and needs the most.
- Range of Games: How many slots are featured? How many versions of blackjack or roulette? Does it feature craps or Sic Bo? What about live dealer games? Sports betting? Poker?
- Software Providers: The software provider lets you know the slot titles a site has, plus the range of table games and video poker. Reputable software companies also confer a reputation on a casino site.
- Betting Limits: Some gaming sites are high-roller casinos with bigger bet limits and withdrawal limits. Other sites cater to mid-stakes players and penny players. Online sportsbooks often have big withdrawal limits.
- VIP Limits: An online casino's rewards club is much like a land-based casino's slots club. If you want VIP rewards for loyalty or high-volume play, then pay attention to the rewards club or loyalty program part of an online casino review.
- Bonuses: Welcome bonuses are a key factor for many online casino players. Others focus on reload bonuses, because these rewards can be redeemed one or more times per month, week, or day.
- Mobile Experience: Over 50% of online players now gamble using their mobile smartphone or tablet computer. Our reviews always discuss whether a site is compatible with Android devices and iPhones.
- Customer Support: Hopefully, no issues happen. If they do, you want the support staff to be friendly, knowledgeable, fluent, and helpful. They also should be available for calls and live chat 24 hours a day.
What Games Can You Play at Online California Casinos?
The great thing about online casinos is the sheer number of games. Name any game that you can play in a land-based casino and you can find a version in the best online casinos. Here's a brief overview of the most popular casino games online.
- Online Slots: The most popular casino game is a huge part of online casino gaming. The biggest bonuses involve online slots, while slots pay out the biggest prizes. Casino sites offer hundreds of these games: 5-reel slots, 3-reel slots, licensed slots, and progressive slots.
- Online Blackjack: Blackjack has the lowest house edge of any table game, though you'll need to learn basic strategy to attain optimal odds. The best casinos offer half a dozen versions of blackjack or more.
- Online Roulette: A fun game that doesn't require strategy. Roulette has a wide range of bets and is popular enough that three major versions exist: American Roulette, European Roulette, and French Roulette.
- Baccarat Online: The most popular casino game in Asia, baccarat is a table game with a low house edge and no strategy requirements.
- Craps Online: Shooting dice is one of the most entertaining casino games because the game offers a wide range of bets and a low house edge -- if you know which bets to make. Beyond that, craps requires no strategy.
- Online Keno: An 80-ball lottery game that came from China. Over the past 150 years, keno became a staple in land-based casinos. It has a high house edge, but has payouts ranging into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Online Bingo: Many online casinos offer multiple bingo games in the specialty games section. Top US online casinos offer a wide range of online bingo cards.
- Video Poker: Like blackjack, video poker is a game that requires strategy. Like blackjack, it also has a low house edge -- if you use good strategy. Most video poker games are based on 5-card draw.
- Live Dealer Games: These are live versions of blackjack, baccarat, and roulette streamed to your screen in real time. Real dealers are filmed spinning roulette wheels, tossing dice, and dealing cards while you make real wagers.
How to Play at a California Casino: 4-Step Process for Signing Up and Depositing Cash
If you've never played at a California online casino, signing up and depositing cash is a simple process. Follow the step-by-step guide below and you'll be playing real money online casino games in a few minutes.
- Choose an Online Casino: Read casino reviews to find the perfect combination of games, bonuses, deposit options, safety, and fairness. Sign up for a player account.
- Make a Deposit: Once you have a player account, log in to your account and click the Deposits or Cashier page link. Once there, choose a payment method and input the amount you wish to deposit.
- Accept the Welcome Bonus: Collect your bonus cash. This might require using a coupon code but, in many cases, requires only acceptance. Understand the bonus terms and wagering requirements.
- Play for Real Money: Use your bankroll and bonus cash for real money casino games. Either download the casino software or click on instant-play games. Choose your favorite game that applies to the requirement and enjoy real money gambling.
Payment Methods Available at California Online Casinos
Players might hesitate to play at online casinos because they don't know how easy it is to make a deposit. Most casinos support a wide array of payments, so players can use the banking method that's most comfortable to them. Here is a brief list of the payment options you can use.
- Credit Cards: Visa and MasterCard are available everywhere. American Express is available at many sites, while Discover Card is supported at a handful of sites.
- Debit Cards: Most sites that accept credit card payments from Visa, MasterCard, and Amex also accept prepaid cards from the same brands. This goes for gift cards and prepaid cards, too.
- Bitcoin Deposit: Bitcoin deposits are available at most of the best US online casinos. In many cases, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin SV, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dash, and other crypto deposits are supported.
- Web Wallets: E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are payment methods at many sites. Ecocard is popular, though these cards often require a fee.
- Bank Wire Transfers: Bank wires help you move cash from your bank account to your player account. Bank checks and e-checks do the same thing.
- Electronic Payment Services: MoneyGram, Wells Fargo, and Money Orders are accepted at some sites.
- Vouchers: Some sites support voucher deposits using services like PaySafeCard.
Comparing California Online Casino Welcome Bonuses
Because they have several aspects, welcome bonuses might confuse new players. You'll encounter the following terms when reading a welcome bonus's terms and conditions. To determine how good a bonus offer is, you'll need to take account of all of these factors.
- Bonus Offer: Promotions list a bonus amount, such as $1000. This details the max amount of bonus cash you'll receive. All of these have a minimum deposit amount to activate the offer. These range from $10 to $35 in most cases.
- Match Rate: Most welcome bonuses show a match rate, too, which is listed as a percentage. 100% means you'll receive $1 for every $1 you deposit. 200% means you'll receive $2 for every $1 you deposit, and so on.
- Promo Code: Some offers require a player to input a coupon code in order to activate the offer. If so, don't make a deposit without inputting the promo code. Several of the sites we recommend don't require coupon codes.
- Wagering Requirement: This details the number of times you must wager the bonus before withdrawing the cash. If you see a 25x wagering requirement, you'll need to wager the amount of the bonus 25 times before withdrawing the bonus money.
- Max Cashout: Bonus offers sometimes have a max cashout, though this usually applies to no-deposit bonuses. If a bonus promotion says "no max cashout", it means you can collect all of the winnings you have.
- Expiration Date: Sites require players to play through the requirement before a certain date. Pay close attention, because this could be as small as 7 days. Most welcome bonuses have an expiration date of 30 days or 60 days.
Land-Based Casinos in California: CA Tribal Casinos
Outside of Las Vegas, no US state has more brick-and-mortar gambling venues. Most of these are California’s tribal casinos, which include over 100 different gambling halls. California also has famous poker clubs like the Bicycle Club and Commerce Club, along with famous horse tracks like Santa Anita Park in Alameda. In the space below, we focus on the best land-based tribal casinos in California.
Top Land-Based Casinos in California
CASINO NAME | LOCATION | NUMBER OF GAMES |
Agua Sportsbook Resort | Rancho Sportsbook | 1450 Slots, Golden Frog Baccarat, Hot Water Craps, Mystery Card Roulette |
Pechanga Resort Casino | Temecula | 5000 Slot Machines, 130 Gaming Tables, 700-Seat Bingo Hall |
Pala Casino Spa Resort | Pala (San Diego) | 2000 Slots, 78 Table Games, Poker Room, Midi-Baccarat |
Viejas Casino & Resort | Alpine | 2374 Slots, 50 Gaming Tables, 10 Restaurants |
Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino | Lemoore | 2000 Slot Machines, Poker, Bingo, Gaming Tables |
San Manuel Casino | Highland | 900 Slot Machines, 16 Gaming Tables, Blazing 7s Blackjack Arena |
| Spotlight 29 Casino | Coachella | 1441 Slots, 15 Gaming Tables |
| Barona Resort | Lakeside (near San Diego) | 2540 Slot Machines, 127 Gaming Tables, Poker Room |
| Chukchansi Gold Casino | Coarsegold | 1800 Slot Machines, 36 Gaming Tables |
| Morongo Casino | Cabazon | 4000 Slot Machines, 92 Gaming Tables, Poker Room |
Commercial Card Clubs in California
Besides its many tribal casinos, California also features 56 card clubs. CA poker clubs are commercial enterprises founded by private companies. They don't offer slot machines but offer local poker and a selection of table games. Some, like the Bicycle Club and Commerce Casino, are world-famous. These venues host notable poker tournaments each year.
The Top 10 Poker Clubs in California
| CARD CLUB NAME | LOCATION | GAMBLING OPTIONS |
| Bicycle Club | Bell Gardens | 135 Poker Tables, 50 Gaming Tables |
| Commerce Casino | Commerce | 200 Poker Tables, 70 Gaming Tables, Racebook |
| Hustler Casino | Gardena | 50 Poker Tables, 36 Gaming Tables |
| Larry Flynt's Lucky Lady | Gardena | 30 Poker Tables, 30 Gaming Tables |
| Bay 101 Casino | San Jose | 23 Poker Tables, 26 Table Games |
| Hollywood Park Casino | Inglewood | 51 Poker Tables, 53 Table Games, Racebook |
| Lake Elsinore Casino | Lake Elsinore | 12 Poker Tables, 10 Gaming Tables |
| Club One Casino | Fresno | 12 Poker Tables Slots, 39 Table Games, Racebook |
| Capitol Casino | Sacramento | 10 Poker Tables, 17 Table Games |
| Seven Mile Casino | Chula Vista | 9 Poker Tables, 11 Gaming Tables |
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Online Casino California FAQ
Can I play in online casinos while in California?
Yes, you can. California does not regulate online casinos, which means players must gamble at offshore casino sites. The state doesn't prosecute individuals for playing at online casinos, though you'll play without consumer protections. It pays to read online casino reviews and deposit your money in safe, trusted, and reputable casinos.
How can I gamble online in California?
Californians can play at offshore online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks, but we recommend that people wait until the Golden State legalizes and licenses online gambling sites. State-licensed websites will be safer. With so many land-based gaming venues, most Californians live within an hour or two of a live gaming location.
Can you play for real money online in California?
Again, offshore online gambling sites exist, but these sites aren't licensed in California or other US states. California's legislature has discussed legalizing online poker over the years, though online casinos seldom are on the table.
What gambling websites are legal in California?
Californians can't launch real money online gambling sites and would be prosecuted if they did. At the same time, state officials don't prosecute or fine individual residents who play at offshore online gambling sites for real money. No California has ever faced charges for gambling online in the privacy of their own home (or on their smartphone).
Is playing online casino games in CA safe?
That depends on the online casino you choose. If you deposit cash in an honest, reliable, and fair casino, then the game are safe. If you choose a site with 128-bit or 256-bit encryption software, then deposits and withdrawals will be secure.
Can I play slot games online in CA?
Yes. While sites have online slots, it's better to visit a brick-and-mortar California casino for slot machines. There's a bigger selection, the jackpots are bigger, and you can join the slots club.
What is the legal age to play at online casinos in California?
The legal age to play at online casinos in California is 18 years or older. You might occasionally find an online casino that requires gamblers to be 21 or older, but the ones we recommend set 18 years as the cutoff.
How do I deposit at legal CA online casinos?
Make a deposit using credit cards, debit cards, web wallets, cryptocurrencies, and electronic payments (MoneyGram, Money Order). Most sites accept prepaid cards and gift cards with the Visa, MasterCard, and American Express brands on them. You can buy such cards at Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens.
If you prefer crypto deposits, you can use Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, and Ethereum. Also, players can move cash from their bank account to their player account use bank wire transfers, EFTs, bank checks, and e-checks.
What kind of bonuses are available at California casino sites?
If ever California legalizes online casinos, they'll have big bonuses. The best California online casinos offer welcome bonuses ranging from $500 to $7500 or more. For the larger welcome bonuses, players receive bonus cash on their first several payments.
Online casinos also offer reload bonuses for ongoing players. Don't ignore these. Though they're smaller than welcome bonuses, they're redeemable many times over. Casino sites also offer weekly bonuses, daily bonuses, free spin offers, bonus chips, and player rewards.
How do I pick out the best CA online casinos for me?
First, read honest online casino reviews. These guides give you the information you need to make a decision: game selection, software providers, deposit options, bonus offers and other promotions, and reviews of the customer service. Once you have all the information, you can make a decision based on the most important factors to you.
Do CA online casinos accept Bitcoin?
These days, most of the legit online casinos support crypto payments. Many accept Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and a few other altcoins. In most cases, you can deposit and withdraw cash using the various cryptocurrency options.
Is online gambling legal in California?
California online gambling isn't licensed. California lawmakers tried to legalize online poker 11 times in a 10-year period, but no one has introduced a bill since 2017. Even then, those bills involved online poker and not online casinos. Don't expect to see online gambling legalized in California in the near future.
Where can I gamble in California?
California has 81 land-based tribal casinos and 56 land-based card clubs. It has 11 horse racing tracks with peri-mutuel betting and 15 different off-track betting facilities (OTBs).
California even has 23 different casino cruises sailing out of Los Angeles and Santa Clarita. If you enjoy bingo parlors, you can find charitable bingo halls throughout the state. You won't find legal and licensed online casinos or poker sites, though.
Who regulates gambling in California?
The California Gambling Control Commission [CGCC]. It regulates the various forms of gambling listed above. If California ever legalizes online gambling, you can expect the CGCC to regulate the online sector, too.
