The best online casinos in California 2024
We’ve compiled a list of the best California online casinos for game variety, welcome bonuses, and fairness. Although online gambling for real money isn’t legal in CA, you can play safely at social and sweepstakes casinos. We only recommend trustworthy gambling sites, so read on to find out why we rate these casinos highly.
Our top recommended California online casinos
California casinos to avoid
We rate and review many California online casinos, but sometimes we find sites well below our standards. This might be due to payment issues, poor customer service, or a glitchy game experience. If a site isn't up to scratch we'll add it to our list of casinos to avoid.
The best online casinos in California
The online sports betting landscape may be changing soon, but there’s still a way to go with online casino gambling. Although online real money gambling in California isn’t legal, there are plenty of social and sweepstake casinos you can play at for free. Designed to replicate the online casino experience, these free-to-play sites offer hundreds of world-class slots. Find our top picks below:
WOW Vegas
WOW Vegas is a big name in social gaming. This California online casino has over 330 unique slot games to play, most of which come from top developers like Pragmatic Play and Betsoft. Players love WOW Vegas for its impressive range of promotions for new and existing players alike. When it comes to social online gambling in California, it's hard to beat Wow Vegas.
Read our full WOW Vegas casino review.
Pulsz Casino
Pulsz offers over 300 Vegas-style games completely free to CA bettors, including slots and jackpots from industry-leading providers. As well as boasting a generous 367k free Gold Coins and 32.3 Sweeps Coins welcome bonus, this social casino is one of the few places you can enjoy poker and roulette in the Golden State.
Read our full Pulsz casino review.
High 5 Casino
You’ll soon see why High 5 Casino is one of California’s most popular sweepstake casinos, with its efficient customer support center, flexible banking options, and exciting daily rewards. High 5 uses its own currency system, comprising Game Coins (GCs), Sweeps Coins (SCs), and Diamonds. You can exchange SCs for real-life prizes and rewards. Golden State players can also access High 5’s intuitive mobile capabilities and native app.
Read our full High 5 review.
McLuck
If you’re looking for fun and free entertainment in the Golden State, McLuck Sweepstakes Casino has your back. Californian players are invited to enjoy hundreds of vibrant slots, Unlimited Play and Exclusive GC (Gold Coin) Games, and tons of awesome promotions from the native McLuck Casino mobile app. You can accumulate even more Gold Coins by logging in daily and participating in Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter promos.
Read our full McLuck casino review.
Stake Casino
California residents interested in cryptocurrency can purchase coins on the Stake sweepstake casino using their preferred crypto platform. Since 2017, Stake has been providing its crypto-exclusive social casino to customers in the US. You can also play a collection of casino-style games only available on this social casino. Winning slots and other games allow you to collect Stake Cash prizes.
Read our full Stake Casino review.
Fortune Coins
Progressive jackpots are enormous in the US, as you play with the knowledge that any spin could trigger a huge jackpot. Fortune Coins does one better and applies a six- or seven-figure virtual jackpot to every one of its online slots! Register a new account and use your 20m Gold Coins welcome bonus to set the reels spinning on a variety of slots, keno, and table games. If this massive bonus doesn’t satisfy your appetite, you can buy more Gold Coins using a range of secure deposit options.
Read our full Fortune Coins casino review.
BetRivers.net
BetRivers.Net is another 'play for fun' site that offers over 200 free online casino games. This California online casino offers both slots and table games from top developers like NetEnt and Red Tiger. Players like the site for its authentic casino-like gaming experience and that all games are fully optimized for mobile play.
Read our full BetRivers.Net casino review.
Gambino Slots
Gambino Slots is one of the best slot casinos in California, offering an awesome registration bonus of 100,000 free coins and 200 free spins. You can wager your virtual currency on various exciting slots and claim a daily spin on the Bonus Wheel. The casino even offers an exclusive VIP program for its top wagerers and compatible iOS and Android apps for gambling on the go.
Read our full Gambino Slots casino review.
Luckybird.io
California players interested in cryptocurrency can purchase virtual currency, play exclusive slots games and win crypto-shaped prizes at LuckyBird.io. There are plenty of other opportunities to pick up free coins, like the daily login bonus, the faucet feature, treasure chests, and the lucrative LuckyBird VIP program. Sign up today to grab your free virtual currency welcome offer right now.
Read our full LuckyBird.io Casino review.
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games has a one-of-a-kind model where players donate to their favorite charities to claim free game coins. No other social casino has this feature, allowing you to make a difference as you play casino games. While the list of slots is small, every game is exclusive and comes with a prize pot of $2,500. What Golden Hearts is really about is its selection of online bingo games, with around 4-5 games every hour.
Read our full Golden Heart Games review.
California online casino match
What game do you want to play most?
Sports betting and online casinos in the US
Find the latest online gambling legislation updates for your state below.
Key
Key
Getting the best online casino bonuses
If you're looking for an easy way to boost your gameplay, casino bonuses are the answer. While some land-based casinos offer small promotions and token bonuses, online casinos - including social sites - offer massive welcome packages to attract new players. California casinos typically offer a range of bonuses for new and existing players, and we’ve detailed the most popular variations below.
Sign-up bonuses
As the name suggests, this type of bonus rewards new players for creating an account. Since online gambling is an oversaturated market, you’ll find a sign-up bonus at almost any online casino. These bonuses typically come as deposit bonuses or, less commonly, as no deposit bonuses.
Deposit bonus
The most common form of sign-up bonus, deposit bonuses are rewards you receive when making a deposit to the site. Many online casinos offer deposit match bonuses, where the casino will match a certain percentage of your deposit in bonus cash. Alternatively, other sites provide ‘reload’ bonuses, where returning players can earn free spins and other prizes for funding their existing accounts.
No deposit bonus
In direct opposition to the above, no deposit bonuses don’t require a deposit. Instead, the casino will give you a reward just for registering a new account. They are typically much lower in value than deposit bonuses and could have stricter wagering conditions. However, they’re definitely worth claiming when you find them.
What is the law on online gambling in California?
Online gambling for real money is currently not legal in California, and neither is online sports betting. However, it is legal to play at social and sweepstakes casinos which offer casino-style games for free. There have been motions to legalize online gambling and sports betting, but these have been strongly voted against so we’ll unlikely see any big changes soon. Until attitudes shift, you can enjoy immersive land-based casino gambling in one of the state’s 65 tribal casinos.
⭐ Retail casinos | Yes |
🔞 Legal gambling age in CA | 18 |
🏆 Top casino brands in CA | WOW Vegas, Pulsz, Stake, Gambino Slots |
✅ Online slots | Yes |
Who regulates online gambling in California?
Online gambling is not yet legal in California. You can legally wager real money on casino games at land-based tribal venues, where the tribe itself regulates gaming. The only online gambling sites available to Californian bettors are free social and sweepstakes casinos. Unlike real online casinos, free sites don’t require a state-approved license to operate in the US. To guarantee safety, these casinos are regulated by customer protection groups and external testing agencies like eCOGRA.
18+ at tribal casinos
California’s gambling age is 18 for pari-mutuel horse wagering, the state lottery, and bingo games. However, while you can legally wager at a local casino from 18 onwards, many casinos ban anyone under 21 from entering the premises.
Tax on winnings
Excluding the California Lottery, all gambling winnings are taxable in the Golden State. All earnings under $5,000 are subject to a flat 24% tax. You’ll need to report anything above this threshold or any winnings over 300x your original bet on a W4 tax withholding form. You’ll need to register your winnings on an IRS Form 1040 and any itemized losses.
The history of gambling in California
California still holds a lot of potential for change when it comes to online gambling legislation. There have been numerous attempts to change the laws in recent years, making this state one to watch. Follow the latest updates below:
- 2024 - Indian Gaming Association conference chair Victor Rocha spoke optimistically about the future of sports betting on his podcast. “Listen, sports betting is going to happen. We put it on the ballot in 2022 because we knew that it’s going to happen eventually."
- 2022 - Californians voted against propositions 26 and 27 with a 67% majority. This means online sports betting won’t be legalized, signaling a lack of appetite for online casino legislation.
- 2021 - The online sports betting propositions for the California iGaming Bill get started.
- 2020 - A bill to progress the regulation of online sports betting - Bill SCA-6 - didn’t make it past the Senate floor.
- 2018 - The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overturned by the US Supreme Court. This opened up the ability for states to legalize online sports betting and signaled a more sympathetic position on online gambling in general.
How we rate the best California online casinos
Our team ensures we provide unbiased, consistent casino ratings by following a 25-step review process. It covers all the key categories you’d expect to give a well-rounded rating of California online casinos. Read a more in-depth breakdown below.
Safety and security
We hold very high standards when it comes to safety and security. Although the social and sweepstakes casinos available in California don’t need licenses from state-approved bodies, they can be regulated by customer protection groups and external testing agencies like eCOGRA. We also look for up-to-date SSL encryption software to keep your personal data safe. This is important as you can still use your money to purchase coin packages.
Games and software
Although quantity doesn’t always mean quality, we do look for casinos with over 500 games on offer. We know the importance of choice to our players and so it’s good to see a mixture of game types. As online gambling isn’t legal in CA, these are casino-style, so we like a mix of games inspired by slots, table games, and bingo.
Casino bonuses
Even though you’re playing games for free at CA online casinos, you can still secure exciting promotions and bonuses. Typically, when you sign-up at a social or sweepstakes casino, you’ll get a welcome bonus made up of gold coins and sweeps coins. This varies per casino, but we look for offers of around 100,000 gold coins or more with a few of the more valuable sweeps coins thrown in too.
Banking options
Although you can play completely for free at social casinos, should you wish to purchase coins, you’ll need good payment options. We look for at least 10 accepted banking options, and they should include popular options like debit cards, PayPal, eWallets, and increasingly cryptocurrencies. It’s also important that you can use a wide variety of both deposits and withdrawals, as some casinos limit your withdrawal options.
We’re impressed with instant and fast withdrawals under 24 hours and low minimum deposits from $5 or $10.
Casino app and mobile play
We know so many players choose to enjoy online casinos from their phones, so we are very critical of the mobile play and app options available. The best casinos offer a high-quality app with at least 90% of the games available on the desktop version. If they do offer an app, we also look for it to be available to both iOS and Android players. Where there
Customer support
As in all areas of entertainment, good customer service is highly important. Online casinos should cater to players by offering a range of different ways they can get in touch with any queries or feedback. The best casinos offer a responsive 24/7 option like a helpline or live chat support with a casino advisor. We look for email support, social media accounts, and at the very least a robust set of FAQs. Forums are another helpful way casinos can offer advice, by allowing other players to give their perspectives too. One thing’s for sure, and that’s that good casinos are easy to get in touch with.
Which online casino games are available in California?
Whether you prefer spinning the reels or bluffing your hand, you can find a great variety of free casino games at social casinos in California.
Slots
Immersive graphics and innovative features make online slot machines one of the most entertaining casino games around. Game developers are constantly releasing new slots in a variety of themes, so there are thousands to choose from. You can select your game based on its variance and RTP (Return to Player) percentage, making them one of the most versatile games for players of all budgets.
Blackjack
Blackjack has the highest RTP percentage of any casino game (aside from craps), which makes it hugely popular among US bettors. The premise is simple: beat the dealer to 21 without going bust. Its simple rules, high RTP, and wide betting limits make it a staple of California casinos.
Roulette
The ultimate game of chance, roulette is available at almost every online casino in the US. Many tribal casinos offer ‘California Roulette’ as a legal option, which uses a deck of cards instead of a ball and wheel. If you’d rather play the classic game, you can do so at social casino sites, as they are not regulated by the California Gambling Control Commission.
Poker
Being the birthplace of the casino classic Texas Hold’em, it’s hardly surprising that online poker has quickly grown into one of the most popular casino games in the US. However, playing online poker in California is not yet legal. Until it is, you can practice your poker face at free-to-play California online poker sites like the WSOP social poker casino.
Video poker
What happens when you combine the decision-making skill of online poker with the fast-paced randomness of slot machines? You get video poker. Plenty of social casinos offer video poker games, which are a great beginner-friendly alternative to online poker.
Live dealer games
While not as common as free-to-play slots, some social casino sites offer free live casino games. These games are streamed live in HD from studios worldwide and help recreate the atmosphere of a brick-and-mortar casino from the comfort of your own home.
Online sports betting
All eyes are on California as two CA sports betting bills make their way to the ballot. If either one succeeds, Golden State bettors will be able to wager on the Lakers, the Dodgers, the Giants, and the 49ers by as early as 2023. Whether it’s retail or mobile betting that passes the vote, bettors will be able to wager on a wide variety of markets and bet types.
Daily Fantasy Sports
While the Californian government doesn’t regulate Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) sites, they aren’t explicitly banned or illegal. Bettors in the state can therefore access all of the top DFS sites available online, including FanDuel and DraftKings.
State lotteries & bingo
The state lottery is one of the few legal betting options in California. Available to anyone over the age of 18, you can only buy lottery tickets in person at official lottery retailers. While the Golden State is known for having some of the highest tax rates in the US, any winnings generated from the state lottery are tax-free.
Most popular casino payment methods
Play at the best online casinos in California to ensure you get the most popular US payment options. Although social and sweeps casinos aren’t playing for real money, you can purchase coins, and in some instances, you can win cash prizes. Here are some of the top deposit and withdrawal options we look for at California casinos.
Visa
Visa is a global leader in banking with years of experience with debit cards and online payments. You can trust that deposits are efficient and stable when you use Visa.
Mastercard
Mastercard is a familiar bank for many US players with credit and debit cards through the banking giant. You can trust them for secure payments and excellent customer support.
Skrill
This digital wallet was designed with players in mind and is readily accepted at online casinos. Skrill is advertised for iGaming and betting use so the team is familiar with deposits and withdrawals.
Trustly
Trustly is a popular payment method as it doesn’t require a card or an app. 12,500 banks support Trustly in over 33 countries, including the US, where you can use it at online casinos.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is one of the easiest and most familiar ways to deposit or withdraw at an online casino. It’s incredibly secure and easy to use, which makes sense from the tech giant.
Bitcoin
If you’re familiar with cryptocurrencies, you’ll know about Bitcoin. This virtual currency is one the biggest and longest-standing in the market, and many casinos now accept this as a standard payment method.
Wire transfer
Wire transfers are straightforward transactions that allow you to transfer funds using minimal information. They cut out the middle man and are typically processed on the same day.
Online casinos in California - key info
⭐ Best CA online casino | McLuck |
💎 Best for bonuses | |
🎰 Popular casino games | Slots, jackpot slots, and more |
💳 Payment methods | Visa, Skrill, and more |
💰 Real money online gambling | Illegal |
✅ Social and sweepstakes gambling | Legal |
Local casinos in California
Despite its lack of online gambling options, California has plenty of land-based options. We’ve selected our top picks from the 70 brick-and-mortar Indian casinos for you below:
Gambling responsibly in California
Playing at online casinos is only ever supposed to be fun entertainment. If you or someone you love is struggling with addictive behaviors, there are plenty of resources in California to support you. You can find more general information in our responsible gambling hub or explore the options below.
National resources
Problem Gambling Helpline - 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
California resources
Office of Problem Gambling - provides valuable treatment and prevention programs in California
California Health and Human Services Agency - responsible for health and addiction services in the state
National Council on Problem Gambling California - offers additional resources and statistics relevant to California residents
Best sweepstakes promo codes CA
Online casino California FAQs
Can I play at online casinos in California?
Yes, you can play at social and sweepstakes casinos in California. Real money sites are not yet legal, but you can play a range of casino games at any of the social sites highlighted on this page. As long as you are over the age of 18, you can play online slots and table games free of charge.
What types of online gambling are legal in California?
At the time of writing, the only forms of gambling available in California are land-based tribal casinos, pari-mutuel horse race wagering, the state lottery, Indian bingo halls, and charitable gaming (such as raffles). It is anticipated that sports betting will soon be available in the state, though whether this will involve either retail or mobile betting is yet to be decided.
Who regulates online gambling and casinos in California?
Land-based casino gambling is regulated by the individual tribe that operates the casino, but the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) ensures each tribe complies with the tribe-state compact. Meanwhile, the California Horse Racing Board regulates all pari-mutuel wagering, and the California Lottery Commission regulates the state lottery.
Can I legally play online poker within California?
Unfortunately, California online poker is not legal yet. However, many states are beginning to legalize online poker, so it’s possible to expect it to launch in California at some point. That being said, you can play free poker at social sites like the WSOP.
What’s the legal gambling age in California?
The legal gambling age in California is 18. While this does include land-based casinos, each tribe is at liberty to raise the minimum gambling age to whatever they see fit. The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, for example, raised the minimum age from 18 to 21 at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Palm Springs to match the legal drinking age.
Can I win real money at online casinos in California?
Yes, some sweepstakes casinos allow you to win real money prizes. Some online casinos use 'Sweepstakes' coins as a currency that can be redeemed for real money awards and prizes. This is the only way to claim a real money prize in California.
What is the number one online casino in California?
The number one California online casino is McLuck. Head to our shortlist above to find more online casinos in California.
Written by Adam Ryan
A writer and editor with a penchant for games and strategy, Adam Ryan has been with the Casino.org team for eight years now. Having written for and edited numerous iGaming brands in his career, he’s something of a content sage when it comes to our iGaming copy in the US and Canada.
References
Legal Sports Report - California sports betting future front and center at IGA Conference
