JUMP TO:
- Is sports betting legal in California?
- Current status of California sports betting
- Timeline for sports betting in California
- Potential online sportsbooks in California
- California teams that could drive betting interest
DISCLAIMER: Sports betting is not yet legal in California. This article is intended for informational purposes only and will be updated as new legislation, ballot measures or court rulings develop. Until legalization is finalized and regulated operators launch, residents in California cannot legally place sports bets.
While sports betting has been legalized in some capacity by two-thirds of the nation, it remains banned in the state of California. The largest U.S. State by population and second-largest state in the continental U.S., Cali has tried many times to pass betting ballot initiatives.
Tens of millions of Golden State residents want the ability to bet on sports, but still more have rallied against that fate. Native tribes and special interest groups have fought against retail and mobile sports betting, successfully thwarting two propositions in 2022.
Read on for more about the potential for sports betting legalization in the state, a brief timeline of recent ballot initiatives, which sportsbooks will likely come to California if the ban is lifted, and more.
Is sports betting legal in California?
No, sports betting has not been legalized in California. Voters in the state overwhelmingly rejected two ballot initiatives in November 2022 that would have legalized both online and retail sports betting.
Current status of California sports betting
Sports betting is not yet legal in the state of California. Complex issues dealing with tribal gaming exclusivity has been one of the major hurdles to clear in the legalization process.
There currently are not any new initiatives on the ballot in the state. The earliest that one could be added and voted on would be in 2026, but the more likely option would be 2028.
Timeline for sports betting in California
In November 2022, California voters roundly rejected two ballot measures — Propositions 26 and 27, to be exact — continuing Cali's ban on sports betting. The measures were defeated largely due to opposition from California's Native American tribe, as well as expensive ad campaigns from competing interests.
Proposition 26 would have permitted in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and horse-racing tracks.
Proposition 27 would have legalized statewide online sports betting, allowing major out-of-state companies like DraftKings and FanDuel to enter the market.
Many Native American tribes, who hold exclusive rights to casino gambling in the state, opposed the 2022 initiatives. A major point of contention turned out to be the proposed framework for online betting, which some tribes feared would hurt smaller operators.
Legalization efforts have been complicated by infighting between tribal gaming groups, card rooms and online sports betting operators. However, another attempt to legalizing sports betting in California is expected via another ballot initiative in 2026.
FanDuel and DraftKings began working with California’s tribal gaming entities in 2025. However, even if things work out on that front, it's tough to see sports betting being legalized in California before 2026.
Potential online sportsbooks in California
While sports betting has not yet been legalized by the Golden State, it's easy to surmise which sportsbooks will be California-bound when it gets green-lit.
Here are some of the most popular sportsbooks in the United States:
California teams that could drive betting interest
- NBA: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings
- NFL: Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers
- MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and Oakland Athletics
- NHL: Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks
- WNBA: Los Angeles Sparks, Golden State Valkyries
- MLS: LA Galaxy, Los Angeles FC, San Jose Earthquakes
- NCAA: UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans, San Diego State Aztecs, California Golden Bears, Cal Poly Mustangs