While California has plenty of options for players who enjoy casino gaming, online gambling is still illegal in the Golden State. Retail tribal casinos, card rooms, and the state lottery give players many options to enjoy their favorite games. Recent measures to legalize online gambling, like poker and sports betting, have failed. However, despite these setbacks, there are many California sweepstakes casinos that residents can register at today.
Now that online sports betting is legal in more than 30 states, the hope is that legal online betting in California could arrive in the near future. However, the latest proposal for online sportsbooks, Proposition 26, recently failed to pass.
Although legal online betting in California isn’t yet available, players who enjoy casino games have the option to play at online sweepstakes casinos where they can win cash and prizes. More than a dozen popular sweepstakes casinos are currently available, with new platforms continually being launched.
These providers aren’t regulated by the state but must comply with US sweepstakes laws. Anyone can play online at sweepstakes casinos for free with virtual currency in the form of gold coins, which they can request using several methods. Players can also bet with sweeps coins, which are given as a bonus to players who purchase or request gold coins and can be redeemed for cash and other prizes.
Winning Real Money at California Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos online in California offer sweeps coins as a bonus when purchasing gold coin packages. Gold coins don’t have any cash value and can only be used to play for fun. However, sweeps coins can be redeemed for cash, which is transferred directly to the player’s bank account.
Each sweepstakes casino has a minimum amount of sweeps coins players can redeem before requesting a payout. All players need to do is choose a convenient payment method, such as online banking, Skrill, or eCheck, and the funds will be transferred to their account within a few days.
Bonus Offers at California Sweepstakes Casinos
Online sweepstakes casinos continue to gain popularity in the state. The most popular sites offer welcome bonuses in free gold coins just to sign up. There are also various ongoing promotions for players, such as daily log-in bonuses and free spins.
The types of bonus offers provided to California sweepstakes casinos include:
- Sign Up Bonus
- No Deposit Bonus
- Daily Login Bonus
- Free Spins
- Gold Coin Purchase Offers
- Social Media Bonus Offers
- Loyalty or VIP Program
Are sweepstakes casinos in California safe and legit?
When it comes to playing at a sweepstakes casino online in California, certain providers are more highly recommended than others. As far as safety, playing at sweepstakes casinos is similar to legal real money casinos. They are also subject to US sweepstakes laws and must pay out when customers win and request to redeem their sweeps coins for cash.
Why should I trust legal sweepstakes casinos?
Legal online sweepstakes casinos must follow the promotional sweepstakes model to operate in all US markets. They must also provide players with secure online platforms that ensure they are treated fairly and receive timely payouts when they win. Providers must use the latest in digital security to keep all personal information safe, which isn’t the case if playing at an offshore casino site.
How do I get paid if I win?
Sweepstakes casinos in California have many different methods to redeem sweeps coins for cash. The most common way is to transfer the player’s winnings to their bank account using withdrawal tools like online banking or an electronic check. Some California online betting sites also offer withdrawals using e-wallets, such as Skrill
Games Selection at California Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos in California offer players a wide selection of games, with slots as the primary focus. The game selection is similar to what’s offered at retail or real money casinos online and includes table games, poker, scratch-offs, bingo, and more. Most also offer progressive jackpot slots where players can win huge prizes whether playing with gold coins or for real money.
Top Sweepstakes Casinos in California
For those in California who enjoy casino games, there are several sweepstakes casinos to choose from including Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots, and Funzpoints Casino. Sports bettors can bet on all major sports at Fliff, and poker players can play their favorite games at Global Poker.
Legal Real Money Online Casinos in California
Casino gamers in California are restricted to only playing at retail locations and online sweepstakes casinos. Real-money online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites are illegal in the state. It’s no secret that residents in California like gambling in retail casinos and placing legal bets on horse racing at one of the many racetracks throughout the state. Charitable gambling is also permitted, and they can place bets on live simulcast racing events, play at card rooms, and play one of the many games offered by the California Lottery.
Although legislation to legalize online gambling in California has failed twice in the past, lawmakers are aware the state has been missing out on millions in tax revenue since online betting was legalized nationwide in 2018. However, because many lawmakers have different agendas besides legalizing online gaming, getting two-thirds of the legislature to approve the activity is unlikely.
California Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting could become available to California residents sooner than expected. However, voters recently rejected two initiatives on the ballot this past November, which would have opened the state to secure partnerships with the local tribes and online casino providers. If sports betting becomes legal, California would immediately be the most dominant state in the US online betting industry due to the nearly 40 million people residing there.
For now, residents will continue to enjoy playing daily fantasy sports and betting on horse racing to satisfy their sports wagering activity. However, local tribes in the state have proposed a constitutional amendment allowing sports betting at retail casinos and state racetracks.
Sports wagering providers could be the first California online betting sites, as it’s now mainstream in more than 30 US states. However, resistance still exists within the state legislature and among local tribes. At this point, the soonest online sports betting will be legal in California is in 2027.
California Online Poker
California is home to over 80 legal cardrooms, more than any other US state, which are all licensed and regulated. However, online poker is still illegal, as many California cardroom operators have historically been resistant to any changes in the current law. Many poker players in the state choose to play at unregulated offshore sites but are taking a risk by trusting these sites will respond to any issues that may arise.
There are plenty of live poker options for players in California as well as other types of gaming activity. However, in the short term, poker enthusiasts will have to be patient as it may take some time to add online poker as one of the choices for players in this market. Because it has over three times the population of the biggest online poker state, Pennsylvania, finding enough players isn’t something potential California online poker providers need to be concerned with.
California Retail Casinos
California currently has 65 Indian Casinos in operation throughout the state. They are all regulated by the California Gambling Control Commission to operate legally. Native American tribes have negotiated compacts with the state to allow them to operate. The California Bureau of Gaming Control is the agency that determines if state gaming license applicants are qualified to be providers in the state under the current law.
These providers are considered the top land-based casinos operating in California:
Harrah’s Resort Southern California
777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Funner
Open 24 hours, this casino features more than 1,650 slots, 60+ table games, and a poker room.
Pechanga Resort and Casino
45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula
This is California’s most prominent casino featuring 4,500 slots, 150+ table games, bingo, off-track wagering, and a poker room.
San Manuel Casino
777 San Manuel Blvd, Highland
This casino has an incredible 4,900 slots, over 100 table games, and a poker room. It’s the closest casino (63 miles) to Los Angeles.
Sycuan Casino
5469 Casino Way, El Cajon
This retail casino is 30 minutes from San Diego and features more than 2,800 slots, bingo, poker, and off-track betting.
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa
49500 Seminole Dr, Cabazon
This location has over 2,700 slot titles, 60 table games, a bingo hall, and a poker room.
Responsible Gaming in California
The California Bureau of Gambling Control works with all gaming providers in the state to encourage programs related to Responsible Gambling. The state also operates the Office of Problem Gambling, which helps to assist people and gain public awareness of problem gambling. These programs are in place to help reduce the impact of gambling addiction within legal gaming establishments throughout California.
FAQs
Can I win real money at sweepstakes casinos in California?
Yes. California sweepstakes casinos online let players redeem sweeps coins for real money using many convenient methods. Players can have their accounts linked with their bank to withdraw funds using features like online banking and electronic checks to transfer their winnings directly into their bank accounts.
How old do you have to be to register at a sweepstakes casino in California?
While players must be at least 21 to play at land-based casinos, racetracks, and poker rooms in California, the minimum age to play at any online sweepstakes casino is 18.
Is online sports betting legal in California?
No. While online gambling in California is available for pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, online sports betting providers are still illegal in California. However, another push is currently being made to get a new initiative on the ballot in 2023 to have online sports betting available for players within the state.
Can I play for free at California’s sweepstakes casino sites?
Yes. There is no purchase necessary to play at online sweepstakes casinos in California. Players can get virtual tokens to play with as a welcome bonus and request them by mail from any online sweepstakes casino provider. Customers can also earn free coins by participating in contests and promotions on most providers’ social media platforms.
Who regulates online gambling in California?
The California Gambling Control Commission is the agency that licenses and regulates all gaming activity in the state. However, sweepstakes casinos fall under the jurisdiction of US sweepstakes laws and must abide by those laws to be eligible to operate anywhere in the country.