Online Casinos in California: The Best Offshore Sites

Best Online Casinos for California Players

For those in California, numerous safe offshore casinos cater to every type of player. The real challenge lies in zeroing in on the perfect one.

All gambling sites listed on this page offer excellent options for various reasons. Here are the six that stood out the most:

• DuckyLuck Casino  – Best Overall Casino for California Residents
• Wild Casino  – Best for Table Game Variety and Tournaments
• Super Slots  – Best Crypto Casino for CA Players
• Red Dog Casino  – Best Specialty Games Casino for California
• Bovada  – Best Live Dealer Online Casino in CA
• Ignition Casino  – Best Real Money Online Casino in California for Poker Players
• Las Atlantis Casino  – Best CA Online Casino for Welcome Bonus Selection
• SlotsandCasino  – Best Slots Casino for California

Comparing the Top California Online Casinos 

How We Rate the Best CA Online Casino Sites

Before recommending any online casino to our readers in California, we run it through a series of structured evaluations using our in-house developed B.E.S.T. system. Here are some of the key elements we take into account:

Availability in California

We ensure that each casino is widely available across all 58 counties in California. Our team evaluates crucial aspects such as English-speaking customer support and the availability of popular games like poker and slots. Additionally, we seek out options like roulette and craps, which remain unavailable to date in California’s land-based venues.

Bonuses and Promotions

A key part of our review process is to personally test out each promotion offered by the sites we evaluate. We do this for both welcome and ongoing offers, free spins, cashbacks, tournaments, and loyalty rewards in order to classify their value, variety, and accessibility.

Entertainment Features

Gambling should be fun. Full stop. We grade every section of each casino for ease of playability, entertainment value of the games, and the ease with which we can find what we’re looking for. Our team also evaluates the range of titles that are currently trending in California, as well as the quality of mobile-friendly games given the state’s high mobile usage and significant spending on smartphone services.

Safety and Security

We take the security of your personal and financial information very seriously, and we expect online casinos to be just as committed to that. As part of our due diligence, we verify the platform’s licensing and assess its adherence to jurisdictional standards throughout the years it has been in operation. We also assess each site’s privacy policy and their data security measures, such as their use of Transport Layer Security (TLS).

Transactions

Our evaluation includes assessing the support of payment options like wire transfers, credit/debit cards, and cryptocurrencies. We also ensure they provide smooth, reliable, and safe transactions with minimal fees and quick processing times. 

Is Online Gambling Legal in California?

• Online Casinos: Available (offshore only)
• Land-based Casinos: Available (Tribal)
• Online Sportsbooks: Available (offshore only)
• Land-based Sportsbooks: Not Available
• Poker: Available (offshore only)
• Horse Racing: Available (Parimutuel and offshore)
• Lottery: Available
• Gambling Age: 18

Right now, the legality of gambling in California is not exactly clear-cut. Online casinos aren’t lawfully set up within the state—you won’t find any state-regulated gambling sites.

Land-based casinos are quite a big deal. There are around 67 in total, all operating legitimately under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. They typically host all sorts of games like slots, blackjack, and other classic tables. You’ll also find about 72 state-licensed cardrooms.

However, neither of these options are allowed to offer titles like roulette or craps, which are considered “ball and dice” games and are currently not permitted under California gambling laws.

Thus, many Californians opt to play on offshore casino sites. These operate from foreign jurisdictions like Curacao and Panama, which puts them out of the reach of California’s gambling regulators.

Speaking of which, the California Gambling Control Commission is in charge of all things gambling. However, they don’t regulate online gambling directly because, officially, there’s no legal framework within the state.

There are other forms of online gambling that are actually on the books; for instance, you’ve got sites that have specific licensing for advance-deposit wagering. Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) also operates in a sort of gray area—they’re not formally legal, but big players like FanDuel and DraftKings accept California players without any legal backlash.

Future of Online Gambling in California

Lately, California’s been buzzing with efforts to reform its online gambling laws. It’s all about finding a balance that the tribes can get behind since they currently hold the cards for casino gaming.

There’s a proposal on the table to let tribal lands host online sports betting, roulette, and dice games. If that goes through, it could open the door wider for online casinos down the line.

Do you want real-time updates? Keep an eye on the California Gambling Control Commission for the latest on where things are headed.

Popular California Online Casino Games

Based on an independent analysis, we found that poker and slots are the casino games California residents search for the most. Below, we’ll explore the different variations of each and show you where you can play them.

Poker

When you mention ‘poker’ at CA online casinos, you’re essentially tapping into two popular categories. First, there are the RNG (Random Number Generator) games, where you play solo against the computer—there’s no need for bluffing or reading other players. Las Atlantis stands out here, hosting 27 varied video poker titles—including Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better—available for both real money and practice play.

If the cardroom vibe of places like The Commerce appeals to you, then you should definitely see what Ignition and Bovada have to offer. Both sites rank among the top offshore casinos to play poker for real money, featuring Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, and Omaha Hi/Lo cash tables with all sorts of limits. They also host Sit’n Go’s (SNGs), larger tournaments, and even freerolls where a well-timed bluff can net you thousands of dollars.

Online Slots

Online slots are available in all sorts of shapes and sizes. SlotsandCasino has several titles that closely mimic traditional machines, complete with three reels, straightforward paylines, and symbols like jokers, bells, and card suits.

More modern slots come with advanced graphics and animations, multiple reels, and plenty of payline structures. They’re packed with in-game features and bonus rounds that kick in when you land specific symbols or scatters, opening up the chance to boost your wins with increasing multipliers or even snag a progressive jackpot.

Online Casino Bonuses Available for CA Gamblers

Every online casino we listed on this page provides a variety of bonuses and promotions for California residents. Welcome bonuses are very popular—the most common of these match your first deposit by a specific percentage to kickstart your play. You’ll also come across free spins offers, typically providing a set number of spins on specific titles or a collection of games at no extra cost. Additionally, many gambling sites have loyalty programs and cashback incentives, rewarding you for frequent play and cushioning the blow on losses.

Online Casino Banking Options for California Players

Offshore casinos make it very easy for those based in California to deposit and withdraw. Traditional banking options like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are commonly found, yet they pose challenges such as higher transaction fees and slower withdrawal processing due  the interplay between banks outside and inside the US.

For quicker access and fewer fees, many players turn to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Tether, which also offer added privacy and no direct ties to traditional systems.

Additionally, some casinos accept prepaid cards, which can be a straightforward way to manage your gaming funds without sharing any sensitive information.

Responsible Online Gambling in California

Playing it safe is the only way to keep online gaming as fun and light as it’s supposed to be. Always set yourself a budget—decide how much you can afford to lose before you even log in– and stick to it.

It’s also smart to set time limits on your gaming sessions to prevent getting too caught up. Online tools like time-outs, deposit limits, and self-exclusions can help, too; they help keep your budget in check and let you take a break if things start feeling overwhelming.

And remember, support is always available. Here are a few useful resources in California:

California Problem Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit their website at www.calpg.org for crisis counseling and referral services to individuals affected by problem gambling.

California Youth Crisis Line: A 24-hour crisis line for youth (ages 12-24) and their families in California. Call 1-800-843-5200 for assistance.

Gamblers Anonymous (GA): A twelve-step support group for anyone seeking aid with gambling issues, offering free, dedicated help for men and women. Find meeting locations and times at www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/locations, or call:

• Sacramento: Hot-Line # 1-855-222-5542 (1-855-2-Call-GA) 
• Los Angeles/Orange County and Surrounding Area: Hot-Line # 1-855-222-5542 (1-855-2-Call-GA) 
• Palm Springs: Hot-Line # 1-760-325-2808        
• San Diego/Southern Riverside County: Hot-Line # 1-888-233-8547 or 1-855-222-5542 (1-855-2-Call-GA) 

UCLA Gambling Studies Program (UGSP): Part of UCLA’s Department of Psychiatry, the UGSP has been dedicated to reducing harm from problem gambling through research, prevention, treatment, and training since 2005. More information at www.uclagamblingprogram.org or call (310) 825-4845.

Start Playing at California Online Casinos

All the best online casinos available in California are only a few clicks away from getting your game on. Top sites like DuckyLuck and Wild Casino make it very easy to set up an account; usually in just 2-3 minutes with straightforward, step-by-step guidance.

Las Atlantis has a splendid selection of welcome bonuses to choose from, and just like SlotsandCasino, all RNG games are available to test for free in demo. Games cover all bases—think slots, table games, specialties, and live dealer action.

For those who thrive on challenging others at the poker table, it’s very tough to beat what Ignition and Bovada have to offer.

Charlon

Muscat

Content Specialist

Articles

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All the way from the renowned iGaming hub of Malta, Charlon has been contributing to the gambling industry since 2019. He began his career at Paddy Power™, but the onset of the pandemic led him to swap his nine-to-five for a life of full-time travel.

Throughout his journey, Charlon developed a successful freelance career, leveraging his prior industry knowledge and focusing on analyzing online casinos, sportsbooks, slots, payment methods, and current trends and strategies through the lens of an actual player.

See All Charlon’s Articles

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