Are sports betting sites in California legal?
If you’re sitting there thinking, “hang on – since when did sports betting become legal in California?”, then you’re right to presume otherwise. There’s been no let up on the legal restrictions prohibiting the use of real money bookmakers in the Golden State, so any hope of placing legal cash wagers on the Lakers, Dodgers, or Giants is a false one.
Don’t close this page just yet, though, as we think we’ve come up with the perfect alternative to real money sportsbooks in CA. So if you’ve been hankering for a site that offers
sports betting with a free bonus and no deposit, keep reading as we’re certain you’ll like what we have to share.
So, what sportsbooks are legal in California?
Over the past couple of years or so, a new type of gaming site has emerged that looks set to turn American sports betting (or the lack thereof) on its head. We’re talking, of course, about social sportsbooks – non-monetary sports picker sites where you can make predictions on your favorite sports fixtures in a 100% legal, legit, and safe way.
If you live in Cali, you should have plenty of these innovative new social sportsbooks at your disposal. The concept behind them is simple: bettors can make free sports predictions without wagering real cash, simply by using a mix of free virtual currencies instead. The sports betting markets themselves are 100% real, with the main difference being that no cash changes hands when you lock in a wager or manage to bag a win.
It’s this lack of physical betting that’s the chief reason why social sportsbooks are now permitted in many US states, and why we’re now seeing a sharp increase in the rise of social
sportsbooks in Texas, California, and other jurisdictions.
Are real prizes a possibility at a social sportsbook in California?
We’re sure you’re anxious to know if real cash withdrawals are a possibility at social sportsbooks in CA like they are at equivalent
sportsbooks in Georgia. The short answer is no, for all the reasons we’ve just described.
Hold your horses, though, because we’re not completely ruling out claiming real prizes here. Because although you can’t withdraw winnings from successful bets as you would on a regular sports betting site, there is the potential to redeem prizes like cash and gift cards by other means.
Social sportsbooks share similar characteristics to their sweepstakes casino counterparts. That is, they give bettors the chance to exchange Sweepstakes Coins for prizes when the right conditions are met. This isn’t the same as withdrawing real prize money, but it does at least give you a glimmer of hope that prizes are possible.
5 of the best sports betting sites in California
Those who’ve cast an eye over our recent guide to
sportsbooks in Florida
will know that there are some exciting sites out there for sports fans in the Sunshine State. But how are things in Cali?
Well, we’re pleased to say that California has no shortage of awesome social sportsbook sites, with several top brands launching in the Golden State in recent months. Here’s a look at five of our favorites.
Rebet – A social sportsbook for real sports fans
Rebet: Pros & Cons
- Unique Peer-to-Peer betting function
- Innovative social sports betting
- Bet against your friends
- Exchange your Rebet Cash for cash prizes
Rebet is about as close to the real thing as it’s possible to get on any social sportsbook in CA. With 60+ sports and thousands of betting markets, it’s every bit as good as an equivalent real-money bookmaker – minus the physical cash wagering, of course. Besides a diverse mix of sports and betting markets, Rebet customers also benefit from live chat support on-demand, along with the provision of a high-performance mobile app that’s perfect for making sports predictions on the move.
Fliff – One of the OG social sportsbooks to hit Cali
Fliff: Pros & Cons
- Cash prizes available
- Picks for major sports
- Free to play
- Available in most states
- Exclusive promo code:
FLIFFSTRAFE
- Minor sports not featured
Visit Fliff
That’s right – of all the social sportsbooks on our shortlist, Fliff was one of the first to reach California, so it deserves your time and attention for this alone. We love how easy Fliff makes it to switch between just for fun and sweepstakes betting modes, with Fliff Coins and Fliff Cash leaving bettors with different betting styles and betting markets. Redeeming Fliff Cash for prizes like cash and gift cards is also a super rewarding – and simple – experience, and you’ll only need 50 Fliff Cash to redeem these free-to-collect credits to redeem a prize; that’s one of the lowest minimum Sweepstakes Coins redemption requirements on any social sportsbook in California.
Thrillzz – Claim an awesome sign-up bonus with no deposit required
Thrillzz Social Casino
- 3 Thrillzz Sweeps free
- 100% first-purchase promo
- Sweepstakes sportsbook
- Redeem Tickets for prizes
Visit Thrillzz
California was one of the first states where Thrillzz set up shop, so it should provide some peace of mind that you won’t be the first Golden Stater to give this app a try. Speaking of apps, while Thrillzz’ is one of the best social sportsbook platforms out there, it is worth noting that a desktop version isn’t currently available – a fact that could ultimately limit its reach. If you’re more than happy to make sports picks on the go via smartphone, though, then you’re in for a rewarding experience, with Thrillzz offering bucketloads of legit sports fixtures and hundreds of complementary betting markets.
SportsMillions – An awesome social betting experience awaits
SportsMillions holds no punches in its quest to become the go-to platform for sweepstakes fun in Cali. Not only can you cherry-pick from a choice selection of betting markets, but there’s a fully-fledged sweepstakes casino – complete with 800+ games – to enjoy too. This isn’t a simply a novelty add-on, either; SportsMillions has enlisted the help of some impressive casino game developers to flesh out its Vegas-style gaming portal, with Pragmatic Play and 3 Oaks Gaming among the brands that drew our eye. Couple that with a far-reaching social sportsbook, and it’s hard to argue with what SportsMillions has to offer.
Legendz – Brand-new social sportsbook with lots to offer
Legendz: Pros & Cons
- Social media giveaways
- Original games
- Generous promotions
- Extensive sportsbook
- Available in 43 States
- Daily Rewards & VIP Program
- No live chat function yet
Visit Legendz Casino
Legendz didn’t launch until late 2024 but that shouldn’t put you off. On the contrary, with some epic sign-up bonuses currently available to new bettors – how does 500 GC + 3 SC sound? – now is the perfect time to find out what this new California sports betting site is all about. We’ve certainly liked what we’ve seen from Legendz so far, with a real focus on favorite US sports betting markets like NBA, NFL, and MMA fixtures. There’s a game-packed sweepstakes casino available for when you’re between sports fixtures, too, although it’s not quite as extensive as the SportsMillions equivalent.
Which sportsbook in California offers the warmest welcome?
If your main priority is finding a site that offers sports betting with a free bonus and no deposit, comparing the sign-up offers available at each of our recommended sites is a sensible place to start.
| Brand | Welcome Bonus |
| Rebet | 100 Rebet Coins + 1 Rebet Cash |
| Fliff | 1,000 Fliff Coins and 1 Fliff Cash |
| Thrillzz | 3,000 Thrillzz Coins + 3 Sweeps Coins |
| SportsMillions | 1,000 Gold Coins + 3 Sweeps Coins |
| Legendz | 500 SC and 3 SC |
Sports betting apps in California are a thing – well, sort of anyway
If you were scratching your head as to the apparent legality of sportsbooks in CA, we hope this guide has helped clear up any confusion you may have felt about the different between sweepstakes sports betting apps and their real-money counterparts. With cash-wagering bookies blacklisted in CA, the likes of Rebet, Fliff, Thrillzz, SportsMillions, and Legendz provide the ideal alternative for those set on predicting the scores and plays of their favorite teams. Check out our in-depth brand reviews for more helpful tips and insights.
Top-ranked social sportsbook bonuses
1.
Sign up for 3 SC + 500 Gold Coins FREE and 50% extra on your First Purchase!
Virginia Players Eligible
2.
Spend $10 get 25 Onyx Cash
Virginia Players Eligible
3.
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
+ Get up to $5 Per Day
Virginia Players Eligible
4.
Spend $10 Get $50 in Coins
Virginia Players Eligible
5.
4 Free Bucks + 150,000 Bits
Virginia Players Eligible
Best sports betting sites in California FAQs
⚖ Is it legal to bet on sports in California?
No, real cash wagering isn’t legal in CA. However, the emergence of social sportsbooks now means you can predict sports outcomes in a safe and legal way.
💵 Can you win cash at sweepstakes sportsbooks in California?
You can’t cash out winnings or place real wagers as this would fall under the remit of gambling. However, most brands give you the chance to exchange free Sweepstakes Coins for prizes like cash and gift cards after certain betting requirements have been met.
✅ Which sportsbooks are legal in California?
If you want to make legal sports predictions in CA, we recommend Rebet, Fliff, Thrillzz, SportsMillions, and Legendz.
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