Sports Betting in California
Not LegalBy DawBets · Last verified: November 2026
Quick answer: Online sports betting is not legal in California, but 9 CFTC-regulated prediction markets remain available under separate regulatory frameworks.
Licensed Sportsbooks
Not available. Online sports betting is not legal in California. Voters rejected Prop 26 and Prop 27 in 2022 (67% and 82% opposed). No sports betting measure qualified for the 2026 ballot. Tribes are aiming for a tribal-led online sports betting initiative in 2028.
Prediction Markets
Federally regulated by the CFTC. Trade event contracts on an exchange model — separate from state-licensed sportsbooks. Federally available: prediction markets remain legal in California under federal CFTC regulation, even though traditional online sportsbooks are not authorized.
Sweepstakes Sportsbooks
Dual-currency social sportsbooks: play with free coins, or with a sweepstakes currency that can be redeemed for cash prizes where the operator's rules allow. Sweepstakes-model platforms were banned in California effective January 1, 2026 under Assembly Bill 831. Fliff and Rebet both exclude the state from cash-prize play, and ProphetX and Novig have since become CFTC-regulated exchanges.
Legislative Status
Voters rejected Prop 26 and Prop 27 in 2022 (67% and 82% opposed). No sports betting measure qualified for the 2026 ballot. Tribes are aiming for a tribal-led online sports betting initiative in 2028.
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Frequently asked questions
Is sports betting legal in California?
No. Online sports betting is not currently legal in California. Voters rejected Prop 26 and Prop 27 in 2022 (67% and 82% opposed). No sports betting measure qualified for the 2026 ballot. Tribes are aiming for a tribal-led online sports betting initiative in 2028.
Can I use Kalshi in California?
Yes. Kalshi is a CFTC-regulated prediction market available to California residents. It offers sports event contracts under federal commodities regulation, separate from state-licensed sportsbooks.
Is ProphetX available in California?
Yes. ProphetX, a CFTC-regulated peer-to-peer sports exchange, is available to California residents.
What betting platforms are legally available in California?
Even though traditional online sportsbooks are not available in California, you can access CFTC-regulated prediction markets (Kalshi, Polymarket US, Robinhood, FanDuel Predicts, DraftKings Predictions, Fanatics Markets, Crypto.com Event Contracts, ProphetX, Novig). These operate under different regulatory frameworks than licensed sportsbooks.