California Gambling Laws For 2024

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) in Sacramento is the right arm of the state government that oversees Tribal-State compacts and helps enforce California gambling laws. The Golden State has a very rich gambling history, and currently offers responsible adult wagering in the form of poker rooms, state run lotteries, Indian owned land based CA casinos, bingo halls, pari-mutuel thoroughbred horse racing and floating casino cruise boats.

Recent changes in California gambling laws now allow for Golden State residents to also purchase lottery tickets online as well as in traditional brick-and-mortar outlets.

Is Gambling Legal in California?

California is considered to be a very gambling-friendly state, and currently boast one of the most successful and profitable gambling industry’s in the US. A variety of venues are available for players, including casino games, poker, lottery, bingo, and pari-mutuel options.

This guide is designed to assist players in successfully navigating through what is and is not legal concerning gambling entertainment in the Golden State. We address both land based and online gambling platforms for a comprehensive approach as a resource guide to players. Informed players make the best decisions regarding their gambling activities, and we intend to become a premiere resource destination in which players have access to current and accurate information at all times.

What is the Legal Minimum Gambling Age in California?

The legal gambling age in California is 21. It is illegal to participate in any type of gambling for players who are not at least 21 years of age, and it is illegal to allow an underage player to participate. There are stiff penalties in place for anyone caught providing any type of gambling opportunities to persons who are under age.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, including playing lottery games or engaging in pari-mutuel wagering, both which require a player to be at least 18 years of age to participate.

Is Online Gambling Legal In California As Of 2024?

This is a very popular topic right now in the Golden State. Currently there are multiple efforts being made to legalize various forms of state based online gambling for CA residents and visitors.

While things are in motion, at this time it is not legal to operate an online gambling site of any kind within the state of California. There are no laws which prohibit players from visiting and participating at legally licensed and regulated online gambling sites which are located outside of the USA.

There are a number of these type of options currently providing services to players in CA, and this guide lists several of the brands which have been reviewed and approved by our staff of online gambling professionals. They are each legitimately licensed and compliance certified, and subject to strict regulatory oversight by their respective governing jurisdiction. Because these sites operate out of a region which has legalized online gambling, they can legally provide online gambling entertainment to players around the world, including those of us in the US.

It does look like CA is headed towards a state sanctioned online gambling industry, but we cannot know for certain how this will play out specifically. There are also a number of law makers who are attempting to reverse the DOJ’s position that states can legally determine their own fate and status concerning online gambling, and while we don’t expect them to be successful, we will be watching closely as things unfold and provide all relevant and updated information in our California online gambling news archive.

California Tribal Gambling Laws

California gambling laws do not allow for brick-and-mortar Las Vegas style casinos to be built on state owned land. However, the state does recognize the rights of Native Americans to dictate their own gambling destiny on tribal owned property. Because of that, there are now more than 60 Indian casinos located in California, like the popular Quechan Casino Resort in Winterhaven.

The California gambling laws which allow tribal communities to operate casinos outside state jurisdiction were upheld at the federal level in 1987, when the United States Supreme Court sided with the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians in the landmark ruling against the state of California. There are currently no state or federal laws prohibiting or criminalize California online gambling when played at legally licensed sites which are based and regulated outside of the United States.

California Lottery Gambling Laws

A full 62 of the 109 California tribes now have some stake in a casino in the state, but they are not the only land-based gambling presence. California lottery law allows access to the multi jurisdictional lottery which delivers some of the largest lottery jackpots in the world, including the record $640 million jackpot won in March of 2012. Recent legal changes also allow California lottery fans to purchase their lottery tickets online from a licensed lottery agent.

You can imagine how much more convenient this is for players who struggle to find the time to make an extra trip to the physical lottery outlets. You will find information about this option on our California lottery page.

California Poker Gambling Laws

California gambling laws that look upon most card games as contests of skill rather than luck allow for more than 100 land-based CA poker rooms to offer Texas Hold ‘Em, Seven Card Stud and Omaha poker games. One of many facilities licensed by the CGCC to operate poker rooms under the state’s Gambling Control Act is the Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens California, just 10 minutes outside Los Angeles. A large 123,000 square fee property with over 82 table card games, access is provided 24 hours a day.

Is Pari-mutual Wagering Legal According to California Gambling Laws?

Pari-mutuel and simulcast wagering on horse racing at interstate and intrastate racetracks is also covered by California gambling laws, and regulated by the California Horse Racing Board. A constitutional amendment in 1933 legalized horse racing, and that board is composed of seven acting members appointed by the Governor. The famous Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California is one example of a thoroughbred horse track that hosts some of the most important races in the entire United States.

California Gambling Laws Serve Their Purpose

California gambling laws are in place to ensure a safe and fair experience for the state’s residents and travelers, while also protecting the state’s own financial interests. Gambling revenue generated in California is a multibillion dollar industry, and the panels, commissions and boards put in place to handle the many diverse wagering offerings in the Golden State work diligently to provide the best possible experience. With online gambling legalized in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware, and the always changing face of gambling in America dictating diligent attention, California gambling laws effectively adapt and change to meet current socioeconomic conditions and desires.