Online Casinos in California – Online Gambling Sites CA

Is California Online Gambling Legal in California?

In California, gambling is a mixed bag. If you’re into the lottery or horse racing, you’ll be right as rain since they’re legal. What about Indian casinos? They’re everywhere, you can play slots, blackjack, and bingo.

Poker rooms are a big deal here too, but don’t go looking for roulette or craps in those poker rooms. State law says no dice or ball games in card rooms.

Online gambling, that’s where it gets slightly more complicated. There’s no clear law saying you can’t, but it’s not explicitly legal either.

Some folks use offshore sites without issues. If you’re wondering what about sports betting, it’s not legal yet.

They’re talking about it in the legislature, but nothing materialized. There you have it. Some stuff’s legal, some isn’t while others remain in a legal limbo.

Bill That Will Legalize Online Gambling in California

The state of California introduced several bills that will legalize and regulate online gambling.

The status and details of the bills may have changed. Here are some of the notable California online gambling bills:

• AB 431 (2017): It was one of the earliest efforts to legalize online poker in the state. Sadly, it did not progress far in the legislative process.
• AB 167 (2019): This bill is the “California Sports Wagering Regulation and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act.” It seeks to legalize sports betting, retail, and online sportsbooks.
• SB 1390 (2020): Introduced in February 2020. The bill aims to legalize online sports betting and to establish the California Sports Wagering Commission.
• ACA 16 (2020): This constitutional amendment allows sports betting in California. It requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Legislature and approval by voters in a statewide referendum.
• SB 210 (2021): Introduced in January 2021. The bill aims to authorize sports betting and establish the California Sports Wagering Commission to regulate the industry.
• ACA 16 (2021): A reintroduced version of the 2020 constitutional amendment proposal. Its goal was to allow sports betting in California, following the same legislative and referendum process.

Criteria for Selecting the Best Online Casinos

When selecting the best online casinos in California, here are the key factors to take into account:

• Licensing and Regulation: Check if the online casino has licenses in Curacao, Costa Rica, and Panama.
• Game Selection: The variety must include slots, table games, live dealer options, and specialty games.
• Bonuses and Promotions: Casinos must welcome new depositors with bonuses, and a reload bonus, and offer loyalty programs. Pay attention to bonus terms and wagering requirements.
• Payment Options: When you win money, online casinos in California must pay you fast through cryptos, credit/debit cards, bank wire, or checks.
• Security and Fairness: Check for certified Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fair play.
• Customer Support: We’ll test the quality of their email, phone, and live chat support. How fast they reply to emails is important too.
• Mobile Compatibility: Each casino is mobile-friendly allowing you to play games on the go from anywhere.

Is Online Poker Legal in California?

Online poker has not been legalized or regulated by the state of California. There have been numerous legislative attempts to authorize and regulate online poker, but none have successfully become law.

Many of the state’s tribal casinos and other stakeholders have had differing views on the topic.

Nonetheless, state-regulated online poker rooms do not exist, many Californians play on offshore poker sites.

They operate outside of the US and cater to players from various states. However, they can be risky as they operate outside the state’s regulatory framework.

Typical Bonuses from Online Casinos

Avoiding Online Casino Scams: Safe Gambling with CasinoWhizz

When you gamble online there are pitfalls. Check if the casino has a license in Curacao or Panama.

Reviews and player feedback help a lot. Be wary of too-good-to-be-true bonuses since they can be traps.

Pay attention to their payment methods. Legitimate casinos offer popular and trusted payment options.

Which Casino Games Offer the Best Odds to Win?

Knowledge is power! If you’re looking to maximize your returns, know the house edge of the games. The house edge represents the casino’s statistical advantage over the player.

While luck plays a role, games with a lower house edge can increase your chances of winning.

Choosing games where strategy and skill come into play can swing the odds your way.

Security California Online Casinos Use

A legitimate online casino uses 128-bit or 256-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer). That protects the personal and financial data of Californian players.

Look for the small padlock icon in the address bar. That tells you that it’s a secure online casino.

Reading reviews and player feedback tells you whether the site is safe or not.

Independent companies such as TST or iGaming Labs must test the RNGs of their games. Most sites display the logos on their webpages. When you play their games to win money, you’ll get a good shake.

Best Online Casinos in California for Real Money

While Californians have long been able to play at offshore online casinos, the state still has to regulate online gambling.

When choosing an online casino in California, pick a site that covers a variety of games from quality software providers.

The list below depicts the best real-money online gambling for players in California. CA residents qualify for exclusive bonuses, instant payouts, and best odds.

Real Money Online Casino California No Deposit?

Whether you’ll get a no-deposit bonus depends on the casino. Some offer it, some don’t. If you’re in California and interested in a free chip, it’s best to check the casino’s promotions.

You can ask them for a small no-deposit bonus to test their games. In our experience, most sites will happily give you an extra free chip just for pitching.

We also caution you that the no-deposit bonus comes with top-heavy terms.

What’s The Best Payout Casino in California?

The best payout casino in California is Wild Casino. With a small budget of $50, we played the “Rags to Witches slot,” and won $250. A few hours later the money was in our Bitcoin wallet.

What sets them apart? They pay fast and their KYC process for withdrawals concludes within 24 hours. No endless documents, and no waiting for days.

High rollers, can cash out up to $100,000 using 15 different cryptos. Further, Wild Casino accepts a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods including credit/debit cards and cryptos.

Does the State of California Tax Online Gambling Wins?

One of our players recently won $10,000 at Wild Casino, she asked us if she must pay tax. We told her, yes, as Uncle Sam wants his cut. In California, you must report any winnings on your state tax return.

So, what did she do? She had to fill out a W-2G form, which Wild Casino sent her. The form has all the info about her big win. When tax time came, she attached it to her federal and state tax returns.

Long story short: if you win big, you must declare and pay tax to the Feds and California. Don’t try to dodge it; the IRS always finds out.

Watch Out for These Online Casinos in California

Before you play casino games for real money check the site’s reputation. The CasinoWhizz team warns you against the following casinos.

We played at them a few years ago and had a less-than-stellar experience. As is our custom before any site goes onto our site, we do our due diligence about them first. We’d rather take the knock than you.

The sad part is that these sites are still in operation today. Wild Vegas Casino: We dropped $200 into slots here, and after some wins, we were eager to cash out.

Guess what? Our withdrawal request stayed “pending” forever. No response, no money. Note that the site has no affiliation whatsoever with Wild Casino.

PrimeSlots Casino: Played blackjack and won about $500. Tried to withdraw, and they put us through document hell. Sent in all they asked for, but the money never came. A total waste of time.

Silver Oak Casino: Thought we’d change it up with roulette. After winning $300, they claimed we violated some hidden rules and confiscated our winnings. It’s like they’re making it up as they go.

Responsible Gambling

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling-related issues, seek help right away.

Organizations such as the California Council on Problem Gambling provide resources and support for those in need.

Players can self-exclude or set deposit limits, to manage their bankrolls better.

Remember, gambling should be fun and not a means to get rich quickly. Contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.