California online sports betting laws

California is one of the states where Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operates in a gray area. There have been attempts since 2015 to specifically legalize and regulate DFS here, but none have reached fruition. In the meantime, the state’s Attorneys General are yet to issue an opinion regarding whether DFS is illegal gambling under the laws of California, and no legal action has been taken by the state regarding DFS operators.

As a result, all the major DFS operators offer games to a huge and appreciative audience. California is estimated to have about 120,000 active players, generating more than $200 million a year in entry fees, and some $20m in revenue for the firms in question.

With a host of NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL teams in the state, plus a thriving college sports scene, there is never any shortage of games to play on.

Given the size of the population in California, and the number of casinos here, it is no surprise to find numerous agencies offering ways in which gambling can take place as responsibly as possible.

If and when California sports betting is legalized, it is clear there will be several places where anybody who encounters gambling problems can seek help:

• State of California : The attorney general’s office provides insight into the various programs and self-help resources available in the state.

• California Department of Public Health : The office of problem gambling has direct links to text, phone and online chat access to counselors, as well as a range of other resources.

• California Council on Problem Gambling : Offers a huge array of assistance including numerous resources to educate people, and those close to them, who develop issues.

• Problemgambling.ca : Delivers a range of self-help tools for anyone concerned about problem gambling.

• California State Lottery : Shows it takes the issue of problem gambling seriously with a code of conduct, employee training and a guide to its responsible play initiatives.

• Casinos: Venues such as the San Manuel Casino offer customers a link to resources and raise awareness of the problems that gambling can cause.

• National Council on Problem Gambling : The national organization with a local touch, as it collates links to resources as well as offering a 24-hour helpline.

As things stand, there is nowhere you can enjoy California sports betting. If the 2022 ballot initiative is successful, it would allow for a launch at some point in 2023.

The referendum would allow only for in-person sports betting at California’s 69 tribal casinos and four horse racing tracks. At present there are more than 60 casinos across California, all run by Native American tribes. The most up to date list can be found here .

It’s noteworthy that there are rumblings that major national sportsbook operators may join forces with California’s professional sports teams to support an additional sports betting ballot referendum to allow for mobile sports betting as well as in-person wagering at certain sports facilities. All eyes of the industry will continue to be on California to watch for developments in this space.