Best Online Casinos in California for 2024

Written By Dominic Field |

Updated on 03 December, 2024

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California casinos are legal, but only brick-and-mortar venues on certain tribal lands. But did you know that it’s still possible to play slots and table games online due to a legal loophole?

This guide explains the legal situation in full and we’ll even help you to pick the best California online casinos.

10
/ 10
# 1
Wild Casino

Welcome Bonus up to $5,000 + 125 Spins

  • Regular high-value cash tournaments
  • 900+ slots from Betsoft, Dragon Gaming, and more
  • 10% weekly cashback on losses
Play Now
9.9
/ 10
# 2
Betwhale

250% Casino Bonus

  • No deposit and withdrawal fees
  • Unlimited matching for crypto deposits
  • Flexible bonuses for sports and casino players
Play Now
9.7
/ 10
# 3
Raging Bull

250% Bonus Up To $2,500 + 50 Free Spins

  • Features RTG game collection
  • Regular tournaments with free entry
  • 45% weekly cashback
Play Now
9.7
/ 10
# 4
Ignition

Welcome Bonus Package Up To $3,000

  • Exclusive rewards program with cash bonuses
  • Weekly boost with bonuses and free spins
  • Expert tips to maximize casino bonuses
Play Now
9.7
/ 10
# 5
Black Lotus

300% Match Bonus up to $6,000

  • High stakes on slot tournaments
  • 300+ games from Rival, Saucify, Betsoft
  • Leaderboard with cash rewards
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California Online Casinos Key Takeaways

  • Land-based California casinos are legal – There are more than 60 tribal casinos operating on Indian land, but no commercial properties.
  • The state lacks online gambling legislation – You’re not going to find any state-regulated California online casinos, because there are no internet gambling laws in place.
  • Offshore casinos are an option – Despite the lack of a legal framework for online gambling, you can use offshore sites. It’s not considered illegal, because there are no laws that explicitly prevent it.

Top California Online Casinos Compared

The best online casinos in California are based offshore. Here’s an at-a-glance comparison of their key features.

Brand No. Of Games Sportsbook Live Casino Crypto
Wild Casino 1,200+ ❌ ✅ ✅
Bovada 450+ ✅ ✅ ✅
Raging Bull 250+ ❌ ❌ ✅
Lucky Creek 400+ ❌ ✅ ✅
CoinPoker 400+ ✅ ✅ ✅
Black Lotus 300+ ❌ ✅ ✅
MyBookie 900+ ✅ ✅ ✅
BetWhale 1,200+ ✅ ✅ ✅
Lucky Red 300+ ❌ ❌ ✅
BetOnline 900+ ✅ ✅ ✅
Ignition Casino 450+ ❌ ✅ ✅
BetUS 550+ ✅ ✅ ✅

Is Online Gambling Legal in California?

The rules surrounding California online casinos are somewhat gray. Generally speaking, though, gambling laws in the Golden State are fairly strict. Few activities are allowed, all of which are land-based.

However, there’s a distinct lack of online gambling legislation in place. This creates a loophole, as there are no laws that expressly state the use of online casinos for real money is illegal. That opens the door for overseas operators to step in.

Plenty of Californians have been playing at offshore casinos for many years, with no repercussions.

Bonuses at California Casinos

One of the major perks of playing at offshore sites is that bonuses are much larger than US-regulated casinos. Let’s take a look at the types of promotion available.

Deposit Match

Linked directly to a real money deposit, this type of bonus is expressed as a percentage. Most signup offers take this form. But many California casinos online also hand out smaller deposit match bonuses when you top up your account.

A new player welcome offer might be something like 250% up to $2,500. In this example, if your first real money deposit was for $50, you’d receive an additional $125 in bonus credits.

No Deposit

In contrast to a deposit match bonus, this type of promotion is completely risk-free. There’s no need to even link a payment method, let alone deposit any of your hard-earned money. Simply register an account, log in and the bonus funds are waiting for you.

A no deposit bonus may be a free casino chip, allowing you to play any game, or it could be a fixed number of free spins on slots. Either way, such promos are increasingly hard to find, and even the best online casino in California doesn’t offer one at the moment.

Free Spins

Slots consistently prove to be the most popular casino games, so it’s no surprise to see sites running promotions on selected titles. Whether it’s a loyalty reward, or part of a welcome package, a free spins bonus lets you play – and win – without risking a cent.

Some California online casinos include hundreds of free spins in their welcome bonuses, usually requiring a deposit in order to claim them. No deposit free spins bonuses tend to be smaller, with a maximum of 50 up for grabs.

Loyalty Programs

In such a competitive industry, online gambling sites are always trying to find new ways to retain players. A structured loyalty program is the most obvious starting point.

The more you play, the more points you’ll rack up. These can be exchanged for gifts, including casino bonuses. But they also contribute towards your VIP status. Climb through the levels to receive bigger and better perks.

Cashback

Losing is never fun, and the best casinos know it. That’s why many now offer cashback rebates, to help soften the blow after an unlucky streak. Here, you’ll receive a portion of your losses back, either as real money or bonus funds.

Most cashback deals are standalone bonuses, usually in the region of 10%, but some are linked to your loyalty status. The promotional period is normally a week, and most games are eligible, though some limit cashback to live casino games.

Friend Referral

This type of bonus went out of fashion for a while, but more and more online casinos in California are now issuing referral bonuses. The idea is simple – recruit your buddies using your special URL or code, and there’s a bonus in it for you.

Most friend referral rewards require the new recruit to deposit and play a specified amount before you qualify for the bonus. However, it’s usually worth it, with hundreds, if not thousands of dollars up for grabs.

Best Online Casino in California for Bonuses

Wild Casino
When it comes to bonuses, few can match Wild Casino. It all begins with a choice of welcome bonuses, allowing crypto enthusiasts to earn even bigger rewards. In terms of ongoing promotions, regular players are spoiled for choice. Watch out for special top-up bonuses every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, for instance, not to mention monthly reload boosts. In addition, there’s a weekly cashback rebate, and lots of regular prize draws and giveaways.
PLAY NOW

California Casino Games

What can you actually play at California online casinos? Let’s find out.

Slots

The most popular games at California casinos – whether online or land-based – are always slots.

Their random nature, coupled with the lack of complex rules or skill requirements, makes them a favorite of all demographics. Not to mention the ability to turn small stakes into potentially huge sums.

Blackjack

For many, there’s a glamorous, almost romantic element to playing classic games like blackjack. Immortalized in many movies, books and television shows, it’s a simple and extremely appealing game.

Some enjoy the skill-based nature, which makes it possible to beat the game – in theory, at least. While others simply love the relatively low house edge.

Roulette

Another iconic game, you won’t find many casinos – online or otherwise – that don’t offer some form of roulette.

The rules are simple, the action comes thick and fast, and it’s possible to win big sums thanks to a maximum 35 to 1 payout. However, all kinds of low-variance bets are also available, giving everyone the chance to get involved.

Casino Poker

Whether it’s 3-Card Poker, Mississippi Stud or Ultimate Texas Hold’em, there are plenty of ways for poker lovers to take on the house.

These relatively new games don’t just appeal to poker players, though. With a fair house edge and elements of skill, there’s a lot for anyone to love.

Other Table Games

It’s difficult to imagine a casino without table games like craps and baccarat. But in recent years, all kinds of innovative new products have popped up at online casinos in California and beyond.

Fan Tan and Sic Bo from the Far East. Andar Bahar and Teen Patti from the Asian subcontinent. There are so many interesting games to help keep your casino experience fresh.

Video Poker

An old-school classic, this is one of the few games in the casino that it’s possible to beat. Some pay tables return more than 100% in theory, though it depends on the specific game rules.

Either way, video poker is easy to understand and great fun to play, which explains its enduring appeal.

Live Casino

If you’re seeking an immersive, authentic experience, but don’t have time to actually visit any of California’s casinos, live dealer games are the answer.

It’s not just about convenience, though. Live casino games are more sociable than their traditional counterparts, while also removing any lingering doubts about their fairness.

Instant Win Games

Some players visit the casino to gamble. They’re less interested in the entertainment aspect, and they just want to play.

That’s why you’ll find many instant win games at online casinos today, which are usually modeled on scratchcards. Simply uncover the squares to match symbols and win prizes.

Crash Games

A relatively new development at CA online casino sites, crash games are a test of a player’s nerve. Everyone starts with a prize that steadily increases. It’s up to you when to cash out, before you lose it all.

The most well-known is Aviator by Spribe, but dozens of titles now exist, covering all kinds of themes.

Best Online Casino in California for Games

TG.Casino
If games are your focus, then TG.Casino is the best real money online casino in California at the moment. There are thousands of slots, table games and live dealer products to choose from, supplied by some of the industry’s biggest names. Look out for progressive jackpot slots, table games at a variety of limits and even a number of speciality titles, including plinko, scratchcards and crash games.
PLAY NOW

California Online Casino Banking

You can’t play casino games for cash without the ability to move funds in and out of your account.

Here are the most common payment methods you can expect to find at a real money online casino in California.

Card Payments

Debit and credit cards remain popular with players at California casinos due to their familiarity. The vast majority of the population owns one, plus brands like American Express, Visa and Mastercard are extremely well-established and reputable.

Although they’re reliable and secure, they can take up to a week to process casino withdrawals.

✅ Trustworthy and convenient option

❌ Slow to process gambling payouts

Cryptocurrency

Digital tokens like Bitcoin are increasingly popular, especially at crypto casinos USA. Why? Because they offer everything a traditional payment option does, only there’s no paper trail. That’s great if you’re worried about your credit report, or just value anonymity and freedom.

In addition, cryptocurrency is almost always the quickest payout option at a casino. Often, you’ll receive the funds in less than a day.

✅ Fastest way to receive casino withdrawals

❌ Requires a special cryptocurrency wallet

eWallets

Online wallets, such as Neteller, Skrill and PayPal, are extremely experienced at processing gambling payments – they’ve been in the business for over two decades. They’re also useful for keeping your bankroll apart from your daily funds.

What’s more, they’re quick, with near-instant deposits, and withdrawals commonly wrapped up in less than 48 hours. Beware though, as fees are usually involved when transferring from card to eWallet.

✅ Great responsible gambling option

❌ Transactions fees sometimes apply

Bank Wires

Traditional bank wires are slow and costly, but pretty much all California online casino brands still offer them. After all, some customers don’t want to use third party processors, preferring to deal directly with their bank account.

Fintech developments mean that it’s now possible, in some cases at least, to complete online bank transfers in less than a day. However, most casinos don’t offer this.

✅ No need to work with third parties

❌ Can take over a week to complete payouts

Sweepstakes Casinos in California

With unclear legislation around real money casinos in CA, sweepstakes sites are another option for casino-style games. These are just like any other online casino, only you don’t play with real money.

Instead, you’ll receive a number of free tokens with which to enjoy all of your favorite slots and table games. Win enough of them, and it’s possible to trade them for real money prizes, including gift cards, as well as cash.

Very few states restrict sweepstakes casino gaming. Washington is a major exception, but CA online casino sites of this kind are perfectly legal.

Land-based Casinos in California

All California casinos are tribal, and there are plenty of them. There are no commercial venues at all, but the Golden State is the country’s largest when it comes to Indian casinos.

At the beginning of 2024, 63 of California’s 75 native tribes were operating a total of 66 land-based casinos across the state. The California Gambling Control Commission oversees these tribal casinos.

Taxes at California Casinos

Although California doesn’t tax lottery winnings, all other gambling profits fall under the state’s income tax laws. The amount you need to pay depends entirely on your annual income.

On top of that, there’s also the federal gambling tax of 24% to take into account. Offshore casino sites don’t pass any documentation to the IRS, though. This means that you’ll need to take care of your own taxes on any gambling winnings.

Best California Online Casinos Final Thoughts

Despite the lack of a legal framework, it’s still possible to play at a casino online in California. There are literally hundreds of offshore sites that accept players from all over the United States, including CA.

Naturally, when using one of these options, you’ll need to pick the most trustworthy. But as long as the site is licensed by a reputable international regulator, your funds will be secure and the games will be honest.

All of the brands highlighted in this guide are safe and reliable, offering hundreds of the latest slots and table games. But TG.Casino is the one that stands out with its library of more than 5,000 games.

That’s partly down to all those games and the rewarding welcome offer. But it’s mostly because of the super fast cryptocurrency withdrawals making it one of the best instant withdrawal casinos in the US. .

California Online Casinos FAQs

Is gambling legal in California?

Is online gambling legal in California?

Can you gamble at 18 in California?

Are casinos legal in California?

Can I use mobile casinos in California?

References

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