Traditional California sports betting is illegal, and all attempts to legalize it failed in 2022. Changes to this may occur, but no sooner than 2026.

Yet, Californians can still bet legally if they do it online. The Golden State has no limits to ban its residents from betting on offshore sites operating legally online, and in this article, we'll give a short and simple guide on how you can bet on sports while living in California.

Let’s get started!

How do you bet on sports in California?

The first thing you need to know about sportsbetting in California is that if you want to do it legally, you must find a website registered outside the United States.

That's right: sports betting is NOT legal in California, but it is legal if you place bets online on a resource operating outside the U.S.

There are numerous safe sports betting websites operating from countries like Panama, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ukraine, etc. To use them, you must be over 18, start an account, deposit funds, and make your bets!

Where to bet on sports in California?

There are several websites that are great for legal sports betting. All of them are founded and operate offshore and, therefore, do not restrict California citizens' ability to place bets and withdraw funds.

The best sites to select from are:

Bovada

It is a company and a website that operates legally in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a respected gaming jurisdiction, and the country has no internal laws prohibiting the residents of other states like the United States from placing bets.

MyBookie

MyBookie is also a legal sports betting website licensed and operating outside the United States. Therefore, it can accept bets from California residents with no legal restrictions. It is also a reputable company that is considered safe for international sports betting.

BetOnline

The government of Panama regulates BetOnline. Therefore, it is also a legal resource for Californians to place bets online. This website also has a good reputation in the sports betting community.

XBet

XBet is governed by the same company as MyBookie, so it shares the same conditions for international betting and accepts bets from residents of the United States. As a part of the international network, the site is a reputable resource for placing bets with peace of mind.

BetUs

The company holds licensing credentials from Curaçao, operates legally, and is therefore considered safe for US bettors and residents of other countries.

There are also multiple other online resources a California citizen may like, yet it is necessary to be careful about their security.

Here's what to pay attention to when choosing a sports betting site outside the US:

• Check the website's licenses. You can find them in the footer or in the dedicated section. If the website doesn't have license information in a visible place, it's a bad sign for reputability.

• Google it. A reputable website will be mentioned in media, blogs, or comment sections on places like Reddit.

• Check the website’s SSL for secure connection and security badges. A reputable company will showcase the security providers.

How to place your first online sports bet?

Once you've chosen a reputable online sportsbook, you can create an account and make your first bets.

Here are the steps to take:

(1) Create an account

You must complete a simple registration form by providing information such as your name, address, date of birth, and email. This information is needed to verify your age and identity.

(2) Deposit funds

You can send money to your sports betting account using various methods, such as credit/debit card, bank transfer, e-wallet, or PayPal.

(3) Select the market

Browse through the list of sports and games available for betting and select the ones you want to add to your betting slip. If you prefer multi-betting, continue adding selections to your slip.

(4) Enter a stake

Enter the amount you want to wager in your betting slip. This amount should adhere to the site's minimum and maximum bet limits.

(5) Check and confirm your bet

Review the bet, paying special attention to the potential payout to ensure you don’t make any mistakes and confirm your bet. Once the bet is confirmed, it cannot be changed or withdrawn.

(6) Check results

After the event, you must check the results to see if your bet succeeded. If you have won, your prize amount will be automatically placed on your account without any action on your behalf.

(7) Withdraw earnings

To request the withdrawal of your winnings, go to the withdrawal section of your account and enter the amount you want to withdraw. Then, follow the instructions as you move forward. Also, some sportsbooks may require additional verification to ensure compliance with security regulations.

Safe betting

Sports betting is considered an entertainment activity and can be fun. However, for people with addictive behaviors, it can be a source of problems. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure you stick to safe betting guidelines, like avoiding addictive behaviors and limiting the amount, amount, and frequency of your bets. Take care of your safety to enjoy the best of your betting experiences online.