Legal Poker For California Residents
California poker players can legally play poker for real money only in state-licensed casinos and card rooms. Operating and taking part in unlicensed games is not tolerated in California. The state does not have any law against residents playing real money poker online.
On this page, we have presented a brief overview of California poker laws besides discussing the legalities of playing real money poker online. California players can also browse the list of licensed offshore online poker rooms we have presented here.
California Poker Laws & Statutes
California is quite clear about the stand it takes against illegal gambling. Playing poker is legal in California, provided players do it in state-licensed and state-approved gambling facilities. The state has no online poker laws and does not allow its residents to play at offshore online poker rooms, but has so far not penalized any of its residents for playing real money poker online.
Players are free to organize and take part in home poker games. According to the laws, “controlled games” can be legally played in homes and licensed card rooms and Indian casinos. Those who want to operate “controlled games” in California are first required to get a license from the state. Anybody operating “controlled games” without a license will be strictly penalized by the state.
However, the penalties for residents taking part in an illegal game are lighter than for operators running illegal and unlicensed gambling facilities within the state. Some gambling experts have even pointed that California is least likely to prosecute any of its residents for gambling. It is worth noting that so far the state has not done so.
California permits certain forms of charity gaming such as raffles, bingo, and poker.
Is it Legal to Play Online Poker in California?
In 2007, California amended its charity gambling laws to include an online gambling provision, according to which online charity gambling activities are not permitted. California also legalized online horse betting in 2010. No other part of California’s gambling laws mention online gambling. Since no law specifically states that it is against the law for residents to play real money poker online, it may be concluded that it is legal for residents to play for real money at offshore online poker rooms.
Can I Get into Trouble for Playing Online Poker California?
Players will not get into trouble just for playing real money poker games at offshore online poker rooms. In the first place, the state does not have any law that specifically prohibits residents from registering at offshore online poker rooms and playing poker for real money. Under such a circumstance, the state cannot penalize any of its residents for playing real money poker online. So far, the state has not penalized any of its residents for using offshore online poker rooms.
The state, however, does not permit, authorize, or license any operator to run online poker businesses in its jurisdiction. It cannot take action against offshore online poker rooms accepting California residents because they do not come within its jurisdiction.
Legal Poker Sites That Accept California Players
In the great state of California, many residents have questions when it comes to playing poker. Although it is a legal and legitimate hobby, good information concerning online poker rooms can be hard to come by. Below is a compiled list of poker sites that both accept California residents and have been verified as safe, legitimate, and willing to provide excellent customer service.
Bovada Poker - Most Trusted Online Poker Room For California
California residents should always start their search with a long look at Bovada, whose online poker room is one of the best in the business. Bovada has been operating for over 20 years, and California residents rave about not only the quality and connection speeds offered by this online poker site for California residents, but the plethora of choices when it comes to how the game is played. Whether the player would rather risk a little hand by hand at the poker table or risk a lot with a big buy-in for tournament play, Bovada can cater to all kinds of poker players.
In order to show California residents that they’re willing to go the extra mile to ensure total satisfaction, this legal California poker room even throws a great entry deal into the mix. When you first sign up for an account with Bovada and make your deposit, you’ll find that you’re eligible for a full 100% of your deposit back in bonus money. Check the bonus page for details, but make sure you don’t miss out on this great offer many players have already taken advantage of.
BetOnline Poker - All California Players 18+ Welcome Here
One more terrific poker site for seasoned veterans and newcomers alike to try their hand at is the aptly named BetOnline. As one of the nation’s fastest growing poker sites, more and more California natives are signing up with BetOnline every day. It may be the intuitive software they like or all the perks and bonuses the poker site for California residents offers, but players who visit BetOnline tend to log out as incredibly happy and satisfied customers.
To get the most out of a new account, make sure to check the tournaments page. This legal poker room guarantees more money in their tournaments than any other site out there, and players in California are learning just how fun and easy it can be to earn their piece of the pie. Every weekend, BetOnline hosts $10,000 guaranteed tournaments with buy-ins as low as $20 and a $2 entry fee. Go to BetOnline's poker room for further details, but make sure not to miss out on any of these great tourney deals when looking for a legal poker site for California residents.
| Legal California Poker Sites | Welcome Bonus | What To Play | Site Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bovada Poker Play / Sign Up | $1,000 FREE - 100% Match | Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo - Stud Hi/Lo |  |
| BetOnline Poker Play / Sign Up | Maximum $1K: 200% Rate | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| SportsBetting Play / Sign Up | 200% Match / $1,000 Max | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo | |
| 5Dimes Poker Play / Sign Up | Vary Weekly - Check Website | Texas Hold'em - Omaha Hi/Lo |  |
Does California Have Legal Land-Based Poker?
California poker laws are not based on whether poker is a game of skill or luck, but on the rake. Any poker game, in which a percentage of the pot is taken as the rake, is considered illegal, but games with non-percentage rake structures are legally accepted. Percentage-based games are, therefore, illegal in California.
California poker players can legally play real money poker in the card rooms of licensed California casinos. Players can also take part in charity poker tournaments and home poker games.
Legal Land-Based Poker Rooms For California Players
Residents of California can legally play poker at licensed live poker rooms and land casinos. California also permits licensed organizations to run charity poker tournaments to raise funds for charity, and players are free to take part in such events. California is home to a number of card rooms such as Angie’s Poker Club, Bankers Casino, Crystal Casino, Diamond Jim’s Casino, Livemore Casino, Lucky Derby Casino, Towers Casino, and Wine Country Casino and casinos such as Barona Resort, Gold Country Casino, Bear River Casino, and Harrah’s Rincon.
While California residents will not find any California-licensed online poker rooms operating within the state, they will find plenty of California friendly offshore online poker rooms, which are licensed and regulated in remote gambling jurisdictions. The online poker rooms we have listed here are some of the best for California poker players. They are all licensed and regulated in foreign gambling jurisdictions.
Future of Poker/Online Poker in California
Since California has the largest population in the world and has already legalized some forms of online gambling, the state is likely to legalize online poker, but one cannot say exactly when it might do so. Although residents of California are fond of poker and a number of lawmakers are willing to legalize and regulate online poker, the state’s gambling industry is not united. A number of Indian tribes and operators of small gambling businesses are against the legalization of online gambling on grounds that it will hurt land-based gambling businesses.
California has made several attempts to legalize online poker, but has not succeeded so far. The latest online poker bill proposed in California was called SB1463, but it did not turn out to be a success. If it was passed, California would have been in a position to license operators of online poker businesses to launch online poker rooms.
