California has been my favorite state since my parents took me there when I was a kid. As a huge sports fan, my goal was always to return to the Golden State and check out the exciting California sports betting scene.
That’s what I did recently: I booked a flight to check out the sportsbooks in CA, both online and offline. I took in a few sports games, chatted with the locals on the beach, and got their advice on which betting apps I should join.
I’ll walk you through which sportsbooks I played at and how I rate each one.
I’ll also show you my wins and losses (hey, I’m very transparent).
California Sports Betting Sites
- Bovada: Top choice overall ($750 welcome bonus)
- BetOnline: Recommended for parlays
- SportsBetting.ag: Top CA online sportsbook for live betting
- EveryGame: Great choice for futures bets
- MyBookie: Personal favorite for college betting
What I Did in Sunny California
As it turns out, sports betting isn’t yet fully legal in California. So, while I could still join online betting sites like Bovada, I had to head to two nearby states – Arizona and Nevada – to place bets offline.
You know what? I was okay with this since it allowed me to explore more of the country.
The two land-based sportsbooks I played at were Caesars at Chase Field, Arizona, and BetMGM sportsbook at Bellagio, Nevada.
Back in California, I went to a Lakers game, I spent almost an entire day relaxing on Venice Beach, and I saw some incredible live music at the historical Whisky a Go Go.
I also did a spot of hiking, drove along the famous Mulholland Drive, and visited the Indian Wells tennis tournament before taking some time out in my hotel rooms to place some bets at a few online sports betting sites that are available to Californians.
How did I get on? Let’s find out.
Best California Betting Sites I Tried
Betting sites in California are all the rage for anyone who wants to bet safely and securely online without inconveniencing themselves by driving out to a land-based book.
You get all the same perks as a land-based sportsbook, plus more, including bigger bonuses and more in-play betting options.
After gathering recommendations from locals on the best California betting sites, I narrowed down my choices and put them to the test – here are the top five I played at:
Bovada
I’d heard of Bovada before people recommended it to me, so I couldn’t wait to start. Signing up took less than 2 minutes, and once I made a first deposit of $50, I grabbed the 75% up to $750 welcome bonus.
Why is Bovada my personal favorite? It has everything I want from an online sportsbook: Reduced juice, lots of betting markets, and advanced betting tools, including a Props Builder.
For many, the Props Builder will be the biggest draw since you can use it to fashion your bets from scratch based on game, team, and player props. For example, I used it to bet on the Lakers vs. Mavericks game and added a bunch of player props, including Doncic over 25.5 points.
Customer support is 24/7, and there are various payment methods, including crypto and vouchers. While there are some transaction fees involved, they are only minor.
I’d like to have seen a reload bonus, but I can’t complain about Bovada’s $125 referral bonus or their rewards program, which adds points to your account each time you bet.
BetOnline
Are you a parlay fan like me? BetOnline has us covered.
Look, I know some hardcore sports bettors who loathe parlays. But when you’re playing with a smaller bankroll, parlays are a great way to boost your chances.
In my experience, no betting site does parlay sports betting in California better than BetOnline. You can place some game parlays, building an entire bet around the same game. If you think this is no big deal, I can assure you that many sportsbooks don’t offer this feature.
BetOnline also has a ‘Mega Parlay’ feature that lets you add pre-selected parlays with enhanced odds to your slip. I used this feature once, and while the bet was lost, it was only lost by one leg.
I had a whale of a time entering a few different sports betting tournaments here, including a $200,000 bracket madness contest that only cost $20. I tried the $10,000 player props predictor contest for March Madness, which was free to enter. BetOnline is also one of the top Texas sports betting sites with such awesome features.
More withdrawal methods would suit me, and BetOnline promoted crypto a bit too much. Other than that, I have no issue with how reliable and consistent the payout process is here.
SportsBetting.ag
If I’m ever in California again anytime soon and want to bet in-play, I’ll be sure to use SportsBetting.ag. Live betting is when you bet on games that have already started, such as an NHL team, to win the second half after trailing at the midway point.
SportsBetting.ag puts on more live markets than anyone else, and you can bet on the moneyline, the spread, the totals, and alternative lines and props in play.
The lack of live streaming is a slight downside but not a big deal, especially if you can watch the game elsewhere. Moreover, SportsBetting.ag mitigates this with an in-game graphic visualizer that keeps you in the loop with the action.
The odds are updated in real time, and I had a lot of fun trying to win some money betting on a few live tennis matches at the Chile Open. Clay tennis is my forte, and thanks to some handiwork on-court by my man Sebastian Baez, I made some profit.
SportsBetting.ag charges some transaction fees like many California sports betting sites. However, crypto transactions are always free, and you can reduce your expenses by being strategic with how often you make a deposit and request a withdrawal.
EveryGame
Psst – I know a great little spot in California for futures betting. It’s called EveryGame. Would you believe it? – it’s America’s oldest online betting site.
My jaw hit the floor when a Clippers fan on Venice Beach told me that EveryGame is older than him (he looked 50 but swore he was 28).
But age matters when it comes to online sports betting, and the fact that EveryGame has been around so long means it’s easily one of CA’s most trusted betting sites.
And when it comes to futures betting, there’s really no end to the things I could bet on. I locked in England to win the 2026 World Cup, Jannik Sinner to win this year’s Wimbledon at (-200), as well as the Thunder to win the NBA Championship.
I noticed I could also bet on Rookie of the Year and MVP of the Year, with EveryGame giving me better odds than anyone else.
I won’t lie – I’d rather the interface pop a bit more. But it’s a minor gripe. Like other betting sites, you can also enter tournaments here, including Hot Hoop Challenges and a $5k tennis betting challenge. I entered and used my clay court knowledge to take home a cool $100.
MyBookie
Land-based sportsbooks let you bet on many things, but many of them seem to prohibit college sports betting. If that’s an issue for you, MyBookie saves the day.
I deposited $50 straight off the bat and claimed the 50% matched deposit bonus worth up to $1,000. I was also treated to a $10 casino chip as part of this offer, which was very generous of MyBookie.
Then, I turned my attention to the NCAAB betting markets. My team is the Pittsburgh Panthers, and I took on them -4 to cover the spread versus the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at (-110) odds.
MyBookie gives you many ways to bet on college football and basketball, though I’d prefer it if they released alternative lines and props a little earlier. As it is, they get their moneyline, point spread, and totals odds out quicker than anyone else.
What I also liked about this CA online sportsbook is its NCAA news section. Each day, you get free access to up-to-date news articles about the latest action and expert betting tips and analysis. I took full advantage of it and turned my initial $50 into $200 with a little help from the experts.
MyBookie lets you know where you can stream each college game, too.
While it seems that VIPs get a better deal here than non-VIPs (including access to more payment methods and faster withdrawals), I couldn’t argue with the number of free tips and innovative betting tools, including an early cashout tool for college sports.
Land-Based Sportsbooks I Visited in California
As mentioned, California doesn’t have any land-based sportsbooks just yet. Hopefully, that will change soon, but the best nearby options are in Arizona and Nevada. I headed to the boiling confines of the Grand Canyon State first, and here’s how I got on:
First Sportsbook I Played at – Caesars Sportsbooks at Chase Field
Chase Field is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, which helps to make the Caesars Sportsbook (located just outside the stadium) easy to find. It’s also worth noting that this is the first-ever sportsbook to have launched inside an MLB stadium. And they tell me I’m not a history buff!
I rocked up during the off-season. I would have preferred to arrive under the impossibly azure skies on a game day to soak up the atmosphere, but I figured it was probably for the best this way (less hustle and bustle).
The stadium was open to allow us sports bettors to do our thing, and when I turned up on a Thursday afternoon, it was only mildly busy.
Due to its location, finding a parking spot is easy (though I imagine it would be a lot tougher on game day). Once I’d parked my car, I ate at the steakhouse next to the imposing stadium and watched cars and traffic breeze past on a stiflingly hot Arizona day.
Then, I headed out into the baking heat to waltz over to the stadium.
What It’s Got
Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field is open most days from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. On weekends, the doors open at 8 a.m. and stay open until 10 p.m., giving early risers and late arrivals plenty of time to check the odds and place their bets.
The sportsbook isn’t inside the stadium but resides in the space vacated by the old Game 7 Grill. It has both outdoor and indoor spaces, and I preferred the air-conditioned confines of the indoor space.
Despite the sheer number of ticket windows in Chase Field, you can only place bets at ticket windows 21 – 25. That suited me just fine.
I also quickly realized that Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Fields is more than just a sportsbook. Across the two floors, there is also Guy Fieri’s DPTHX Kitchen + Bar. You can order mouthwatering food at the bar while watching the live sporting action on one of the many LED TV screens.
There are betting windows everywhere, too, and every single one is needed on game day.
How I Did
When I turned up at Chase Fields, Lebron was hunting down another record for the Lakers. So I added him to record over 36.5 points and assists to a bet.
The King came good for me, but – unfortunately – it was the Magic who let me down, as I added -4.5 to the same bet. I also got hammered by the Knicks on this particularly unfruitful late afternoon of NBA betting.
The good thing, however, was that I could watch the action live on the TV with my fellow sports fans, some of whom had also backed Lebron. He left it late to get his final assist over the line, but there was huge approval when he locked in those points. At this point, the drinks began to flow.
In between all that, I ordered myself a refreshing beer and checked out some other sports. I bet on two horse races and placed a soccer parlay on the advice of a Diamondbacks fan who told me Wrexham would win their League One game in England (what the heck did I know? I’m totally new to soccer).
His enthusiasm was infectious, and I’ve pretty much gotten Wrexham AFC fever now. Wales, watch out. I’m coming!
The choice of sports to bet on was pretty much endless, and I even found myself betting on darts. I’ve never watched live darts in all my life, but betting on Luke Littler and hoping for a 9-darter was as nerve-shredding as the time I went bungee jumping.
Overall Impressions
There’s very little (if anything at all) that Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Fields does wrong. Caesars struck gold when they partnered with the Diamondbacks because this location is as perfect as any sportsbook I’ve played at. Put it this way: you won’t drive yourself crazy trying to find a parking spot.
If you want to bet on the Diamondbacks, you can do so on game day, though not during the game itself. The only thing you can’t bet on here (as far as I could see) is college sports.
Besides that, Caesars has everything you need for a full day and night of sports betting. It’s spacious, has enough TVs so you’ll be able to catch all the action, and the food and drink aren’t bad either.
There are also bonuses to take advantage of while downloading the app, which means you can swerve the betting windows and place your bets online. My only criticism is that the online bonuses are better than the offline ones.
Next Sportsbook I Tried – BetMGM Sportsbook at Bellagio, Nevada
I headed to Nevada from Arizona to visit the iconic BetMGM sportsbook at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino.
Unlike the Caesars sportsbook at Chase Fields, the BetMGM sportsbook allows me to stay onsite in one of the hotel rooms to secure valet parking.
I arrived Saturday afternoon, checked into my room, and enjoyed a quick sightseeing spot at the nearby Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Impressive stuff.
By 5 pm, it was time to check out the sportsbook.
What It’s Got
The BetMGM sportsbook at Bellagio opens a tad earlier than the Caesars sportsbook in Arizona. During the week, you can place bets from 8 am, while during the weekend, you can place your bets from 7 am. The betting windows close at 10 pm, but the bar is open 24 hours.
Unlike the Caesars sportsbook in Arizona, which covers two floors, the BetMGM sportsbook in Bellagio covers just one. However, I’d argue this is enough space, as it’s a 5,600-square-foot venue. Big? You bet.
Moreover, it comes complete with 44 TVs, although only six are what I would describe as ‘large.’ The rest are a little bit small, and there were times when I couldn’t see the action due to the sheer number of people milling around.
The kicker, however, is this sportsbook’s dedication to horse racing. There are an astonishing 99 monitors for horse racing action, which cover around 30 race tracks daily.
And, trust me, this place needs all the monitors it can get because almost all the monitors were in use when I arrived, with horse racing bettors glued to the screens.
As mentioned, this sportsbook is part of a hotel complex and has plenty of betting windows and helpful tellers. It’s also part of a wider complex that incorporates the world-famous Cirque du Soleil.
How I Did
The place was pumping on the Saturday night I visited. There was plenty of NBA action to bet on, including the Clippers and the Knicks, and lots of horse races still to go off. Tennis was popular, too.
I quickly learned there was no shortage of things I could bet on, with BetMGM offering traditional markets like the money line and the point spread alongside props and live betting opportunities.
Armed with a reasonably sizeable bankroll, I placed a $100 straight bet on the Clippers to beat the Knicks after a teller told me they’d be screening all the action live. I couldn’t wait to sit with some nachos and watch my bet come good.
I also bet $50 on the Clippers to beat the Knicks -4.5, and I added them to a parlay with the Hornets to beat the Nets. What can I say? I was confident.
Unfortunately, I got too confident about tennis at Indian Wells. Buoyed by a large group of Djokovic fans who had taken up two tables and were rowdily supporting their guy, I backed Djokovic in-play to make the comeback after he lost the first set to Botic Van de Zandschulp.
What can I say? He crumbled and lost the match 2-1. I wasn’t too deflated since I was just having some fun, but I couldn’t help but notice that the Djokovic fans went extremely quiet and quickly left after uttering a few grumbles. Win some, lose some, fellas.
From then until 10 pm, the place was packed with NBA fans, horse racing bettors, and the odd tennis fan watching Carlos Alcaraz blitz Quentin Halys. I was left kicking myself that I didn’t back the Spaniard to win by four clear games. Money on the table, huh?
I watched the Clippers and the Hornets come good, treated myself to a beer, and then returned to my room.
Overall Impressions
I loved that the BetMGM sportsbook in Bellagio is part of a hotel complex. I could waltz in and out, grab a bite, and place my bets without heading outside.
My room was comfy, the atmosphere in the sportsbook itself was electric, and everyone seemed to have a good time, win or lose.
I’d prefer a few more of the larger TVs since I could only see and count six of them. But what impressed me was that the tellers were prepared to accept big bets and how friendly and helpful they were.
A few bonuses wouldn’t go amiss either, though I was told by a sports fan and dedicated horse racing enthusiast that all the best bonuses are available online. Yeah, I figured.
Things I Learned Writing About Sports Betting in California
It’s easy for me to say I had a fantastic time traveling up and down California, watching live sports games, and placing bets.
Finding my feet took me some time since I had to place my land-based bets in different states. What did I learn along the way that could be useful to you? Here are my top things to be aware of:
Ask for Help
Sportsbooks can get very busy, especially during the weekend. They can get so busy that you might shy away from reaching out and asking for help since everyone is actively engaged in something.
However, most sports bettors and tellers are too happy to assist if you have a problem. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure about a particular market or can’t find a sporting event.
Have Your Money Ready
When you go to the kiosk to place a bet, ensure you have your money (or your card) ready.
Remember, every second counts with sports betting, and there may be people behind you waiting to place a bet for an event just about to start. If you delay them, you could irritate many people by fumbling around in your wallet.
Set a Bankroll
Set a bankroll so that you don’t get carried away. I’ve seen guys in sportsbooks who are chasing after their horses lost. They place bet after bet in a frenzied pursuit of their earlier losses.
Before you walk into a sportsbook, know precisely what you’re betting on. Don’t go over your limits. Otherwise, sports betting will no longer be fun.
Take a Break, Grab a Beer
Speaking of chasing one’s losses, the easiest way to break a bad pattern is to take a breather by heading to the bar. Many sportsbooks have bars where you can sit down for an hour and relax.
I recommend you do this if you feel you’re starting to bet too much and have hit a bad run. It will help you to cool off.
Claim the Welcome Bonuses Online
If you try out California online sports betting, claim the welcome bonus to get started. There’s one available at all the best online betting sites in California, and it usually takes the form of a matched deposit offer.
For example, if you deposit $100 to claim Bovada’s 75% matched deposit bonus, Bovada will add $75 worth of bonus funds to your account.
Online Sports Betting in California is Unbeatable
California sports betting online has everything you need to place sports bets from the comfort of your own home (or wherever else you are). It’s convenient and safe and gives you many chances to claim some awesome bonuses.
And while it’s a shame that land-based betting isn’t yet available in the Golden State, there are some promising signs that the situation may change for the better sometime soon.
In the meantime, you could always hop over to Arizona or Nevada and place bets there instead.
Me personally? I had a brilliant time playing at CA sports betting sites like Bovada and BetOnline while I soaked up the sun. I claimed the welcome bonuses and took advantage of the best betting odds and a suite of innovative betting tools, including Props Builders and parlay boosts.
Next time, I’d be sure to play for longer so I get invited to the rewards programs and VIP clubs these sites offer. I’m all about those prioritized payouts. For now, I’m happy to have taken home some profit.
‘Till next time.
California Sports Betting – FAQs
Before I go, I want to answer a few common questions related to sports betting in California:
What’s the Best Time to Visit a California Sportsbook?
It all depends on your appetite for hustle and bustle and what sports games are on. Weekday mornings and afternoons are the quietest, as are late evenings. Weekends, on the other hand, are always the busiest.
That said, if a sportsbook is dedicated to horse racing, there will always be a fair number of horse racing bettors present any time of the week.
What Sports Can I Bet On in California?
Many California sports betting sites offer a wealth of popular sports. All the major American sports, including the NFL, the NBA, and the MLB, are available, while worldwide sports like horse racing, soccer, tennis, and Aussie Rules are generally available at most sportsbooks.
However, you’ll find more sports and betting markets at online betting sites, which offer alternative lines alongside traditional markets like the moneyline and the point spread.
Is There a Dress Code?
This all depends on where you go. A sportsbook set inside a plush hotel like the BetMGM Grand at Bellagio might require you to dress smart casual, although nothing is strict or enforced. The unspoken rule of thumb is to wear something you know is smart (as opposed to scruffy).
You should be good as long as you’re wearing something respectable and not turning up in slacks and a t-shirt with coffee stains on it. Don’t dress too up, and don’t dress too down. Just wear something nice.
Can I Bet Online in California?
Online sports betting in California is available, though it’s important that you sign up for licensed betting sites like Bovada and BetOnline. These are safe and reputable options that have a track record of treating their customers well.
Can I Bet at California Online Sportsbooks Using My Mobile Device?
Yes. All the best California sports betting sites are fully optimized for mobile betting. You can access the markets and odds via mobile sports betting sites (via browser), while some sites also have an app that you can download directly from the website.
Gambling is risky. 21+ only. Please call 1-800-GAMBLER or seek help at gamblersanonymous.org if you have a gambling problem.
