The Gambler on the road takes on California sports betting sites

The Gambler on the Road series is live! This time around, Lucia’s on a trip to California, looking to find out where people bet on sports and to learn more about the industry in general.

California is a land of contrasts.

It’s the tech hub of Silicon Valley and home to Hollywood glitz, yet its sports betting laws lag far behind. Despite the restrictions, Californians find ways to bet, whether it’s crossing into Nevada, placing wagers on horse races at Del Mar, or using sportsbooks licensed in other jurisdictions.

Curious to experience it all, I made a stop at the iconic Del Mar Racetrack. Nestled along the Pacific, this historic venue blends California’s coastal charm with its limited legal gambling options.

But my trip wasn’t just about the racetrack. I also explored the online sportsbooks Californians love. I tested several platforms, and I will share all of my findings (along with details of my trip) with you today.

Popular sports betting sites among Californians

Before reviewing these sports betting sites, I’ve got to tell you about my time in the Golden State.

I had a bunch of suggestions for California sportsbooks, but with limited time and funds, I had to keep things simple. I set aside $600 to test out a few popular platforms, placing small wagers to see how they measured up.  Thankfully, one of my picks came through (hello, Giants!) and I managed to break even after a close game. But let’s not get sidetracked. Here’s what stood out to me (the good and the not-so-good) about these betting sites and how they stack up.

What I do

My travel series “Gambler on the Road” pretty much sums up what I do – I travel across the US to get a taste of the gambling culture in each state. My goal is to visit at least one land-based casino or sportsbook in each state and test the online gambling market before my trip is done.

My budget for this adventure isn’t crazy, so I always try not to get carried away and get paid out when I get lucky (even if it’s just winning 50 bucks). I don’t visit the most luxurious casino hotels but instead stick to the ones in the middle, which is where I approach locals and ask how they feel about online gambling and where they play. Once I’ve tried a few slot machines or placed some sports bets in person, I start signing up with the online casinos or sportsbooks that the locals recommended to me. In my blog posts, I share my experiences and note what most of the people I talked to liked about these sites (including myself).

“My ultimate goal is to find out just how big gambling has become in the US and to learn more about the rising interest in online gambling and which sites are the biggest players, hoping to help some of my readers learn from hands-on testing and research.”

More about my visit to the Del Mar racetrack

Land-based sports betting is still not legal in the state of California (offshore sports betting sites are still a go, though, so my trip isn’t wasted), but there’s a rich history of horse racing in the state, and I was only too happy to pivot.

When it came to choosing a brick-and-mortar betting venue in California, Del Mar Racetrack was an easy pick. For starters, it’s steeped in the kind of Hollywood glamour that makes California so iconic. Opened in 1937 with Bing Crosby himself greeting guests at the gates, Del Mar quickly became a playground for celebrities and racing enthusiasts alike. It’s not just a racetrack. It’s a slice of California’s golden era.

I arrived just as the morning sun began to burn off the coastal fog. The venue itself is stunning – blue skies above, lush green turf below, and the Pacific Ocean peeking over the horizon. I couldn’t help but think that if I was going to lose money on a horse with a silly name, it might as well come with a view.

Naturally, I had to place a few bets myself. Pari-mutuel wagering is the name of the game here, and while my picks didn’t exactly land me in the winner’s circle, the experience was worth every penny. I put a small wager on a horse named “Coastal Charm” just because it seemed fitting. Unfortunately, the horse didn’t quite live up to its name.

I tried to keep moving and watch the races from different spots along the track. Partly to see if one vantage point was luckier than the others (they weren’t), and partly to ensure I got the full Del Mar experience – and it was the right move. The bars around the venue offer a great view of the horses in the paddock. Had I a keener eye for what makes a good horse, I’m sure the sights would have been educational, but instead I wound up a little poorer and no wiser.

It was still worth every minute, though.

Of course, no trip to Del Mar would be complete without indulging in the local cuisine. I consoled myself with a bite to eat at Viewpoint Brewing and had some of the best fish tacos I’ve ever tasted. While it would have been nice to have gotten lucky at the track, any malice towards Coastal Charm and the rest of the beasts quickly faded as I ate.

“Del Mar Racetrack isn’t your typical betting hall, it’s a full-blown experience. From the stunning views to the rich history and electric atmosphere, it’s a must-visit for anyone looking to bask in the spirit of California’s gambling scene.”

The most popular California sportsbook: BetWhale

BetWhale is a brand I’m already well familiar with, so it wasn’t a surprise that it came up while chatting with other bettors during my trip to California. Signing up is both fast and easy, thanks to BetWhale’s efficient design. The interface is clean and intuitive, even when accessed from a mobile device, making it easy to find your way around, whether you’re hunting for NFL moneylines or exploring more niche markets like cricket or darts (you’d be amazed at how many people bet on competitive darts, honestly). I especially appreciated their Odds Boost section, which guarantees better payouts on select events.

For this trip, I stuck with an NBA wager on the Golden State Warriors, keeping it simple. While my pick didn’t pan out (thanks for nothing, Warriors), placing the bet was super simple, and withdrawing smaller wins later was just as smooth. BetWhale’s payment options remain one of its strengths – they even accept PayPal, which always feels like a win for convenience. Though I personally prefer betting with crypto.

The 150% match welcome bonus when using the code THEBOOST is one of the better bonuses in the business, too. And with only 10x wagering requirements, it shouldn’t be too difficult for a lucky, clever bettor to make the most of an offer like this.

“Until California gets its act together and starts offering in-state sports betting options of its own, BetWhale remains the most popular option for serious players looking for a trustworthy platform.”

Really fun live betting experience: BetOnline

BetOnline was another site that came up in conversation, and as one of the bigger names in the betting world, it was one I was familiar with. Even so, hearing locals praise it for its live betting options convinced me to give it another try during my California trip.

This betting site covers everything from global leagues to niche events. I logged on during an NFL game, and the platform’s live betting interface was calling my name. In-play options included the next touchdown and total rushing yards, with the odds updating quickly enough to keep up with the action. I decided to make use of their $50 risk-free bet for live events by wagering on the second-half total in the game. It was a definite nail-biter, with both teams trading touchdowns late in the fourth quarter – but my over hit, giving me an extra bit of pocket change to carry over.

BetOnline also has a $250 free bet welcome bonus for players new to the platform. It’s a 50% match offer that has no restrictions applied, so it’s a pretty great deal, especially when compared to the stiff rollover you find at other sites. I opted to play using Bitcoin here to avoid credit card processing fees, which is not a dealbreaker for me since I mostly stick to digital coins, but I know that many users might find it frustrating.

“BetOnline is a good choice for live betting enthusiasts thanks to its interface and extensive market variety. Crypto bettors like me will also love it, as the site accepts over 15 different types of digital coins.”

Good odds, better bonuses: BetUS

California locals were quick to remind me why BetUS is a favorite, going on about how the welcome bonus covers sportsbook and casino enthusiasts alike. It seems that Californians, for all their glamor, like a deal as much as the next guy.

The site offers a 200% welcome bonus on crypto deposits for new users, split into 150% for the sportsbook and 50% for the casino. If crypto isn’t your thing, there’s a similar 125% match bonus with 25% allocated to casino gambling and the rest to the sportsbook. Regardless of which option you choose, there’s plenty of bonus betting available, making it ideal for those who like to switch between wagering on The Big Game and spinning a few reels – not really my style, to be honest. I tested it out by depositing $200, which gave me plenty of bonus funds to spread across a few NFL and NBA wagers, allowing me to mostly break even (that’s for those who are keeping track).

One of the main advantages of BetUS’s bonus approach is that they don’t leave you hanging when it’s time to reload your account. Most of their reload bonuses are just as generous as the welcome offer, a rarity in my experience. That said, the wagering requirements are a bit steep. I found a 14x rollover for the standard sign-up pack and an even higher 18x for the crypto one. BetUS, you could’ve done better.

“Easily some of the most generous bonuses in the business for both sports bettors and casino fans. High rollover requirements aside, its user-friendly mobile website and rewarding reload offers make it well worth checking out.”

The spot for basketball betting: Everygame

Everygame has been on my radar constantly since my trip to Texas, where it came highly recommended by other NBA fans. Back then, I pegged it as a solid all-around sportsbook. But during my time in California, the basketball angle was impossible to ignore, with a couple of locals praising it for both NBA and college hoops.

The promos here are a slam dunk (I’m not sorry about the pun). Their $5,000 Hot Hoops Chase awards cash prizes to the top NBA bettors throughout the season. For diehards, it’s the perfect incentive to keep placing those wagers night after night. Everygame also runs competitions for college basketball fans, like giveaways for Final Four tickets, which is the sort of benefit you don’t see on a lot of its competitors. While testing the site, I threw down a few bets on the Lakers game (moneyline) and sprinkled in a prop bet on the total points for the second quarter. The sportsbook’s focus on basketball is clear, with extensive player and game props, futures bets, and daily boosted odds.

Just when I was about to call it a day, the payment process caught my attention, but not in a good way. Most withdrawal options require a minimum payout of $100, so when I won $55, I simply couldn’t cash it out. However, it’s a good thing there are no additional transaction fees.

“Everygame is a slam dunk for providing NBA and college basketball fans with specialized promotions like the Hot Hoops Chase and Final Four giveaways. However, I’m not a big fan of its withdrawal limits.”

You can bet on everything here: Bovada

The last sportsbook that came up was Bovada, which has a reputation for doing things differently, and it was immediately clear to me why. I was chatting with a couple of bettors between races at the Corona lounge and they waxed poetic about Bovada’s proposition builder. I’ll admit, I haven’t paid that much attention to it before now. I really should have, though.

The Bovada proposition builder is a game-changer. Not that you don’t have decent prop builders at the other sportsbooks, but Bovada’s is just so much more granular, yet manages to remain easy to use. It lets you craft bespoke bets to suit your exact preferences. Want to combine a player’s total assists with the number of three-pointers in a game? Done. Looking to tie a quarterback’s passing yards to the number of field goals scored? Not even remotely an issue.

Then there is the custom bet request feature, which takes things even further. If you have an idea for a wager that is not listed, you can send the request to the Bovada team and they will build the odds out for you. During my trip I tested it out with a quirky basketball bet: predicting the exact margin of victory in a Lakers game. To my surprise, the odds were posted and ready for me by the next morning. While I liked Bovada’s $750 welcome bonus, which comes with only 5x wagering requirements, its promotions selection is somewhat limited compared to other California sportsbooks. Seeing more variety would make it a top choice for me, but for now, it’s lacking in that area.

“Bovada’s competitive odds and comprehensive list of sports markets are only surpassed by the proposition builder and customized odds request feature. However, the limited variety of bonuses leaves something to be desired, making it less appealing for promotion-focused players.”

The sports betting status in California

If there’s one thing that struck me about California’s sports betting landscape, it’s how much potential is just sitting there, untapped.

With a population of nearly 40 million, countless sports teams, and a culture that clearly loves competition, you’d think the Golden State would be leading the charge in legal sports betting. Instead, it’s stuck in limbo.

The state came close back in 2022, with propositions 26 and 27 offering competing visions for legal betting. Proposition 26 focused on in-person betting at tribal casinos and racetracks, while 27 proposed online sports betting overseen by major stateside operators. Both failed, largely due to the fierce opposition from tribal groups and a public wary of the rapid expansion of gambling. Since then, there’s been little movement, and the next real chance for legalization might not come until 2026 or later, leaving a lot of revenue on the table.

Experts estimate that legal sports betting could generate upwards of $30 billion in annual betting handle for California, with estimated tax revenues exceeding $500 million annually. This doesn’t even account for the thousands of jobs and broader economic benefits legalization could bring. However, the opposition from tribal casinos and other stakeholders continues to slow progress.

What’s interesting to me, though, is just how diverse and widespread gambling already is in California. According to UCLA’s California Health, nearly 1 in 4 Californians have gambled in the past year, with significant variation across demographics. Men, older adults (50–64 years), and veterans stand out as groups more likely to gamble, and among racial/ethnic groups, American Indian and Alaska Native adults lead with the highest percentage of reported gambling (40.4%). Even among Asian adults, who had the lowest percentage (19.9%), nearly 1 in 5 reported gambling in the past year.

This tells me that the appetite for gambling exists across all corners of California’s population – it’s not just a niche interest. People are already placing bets, whether it’s through legal tribal casinos, card rooms, or even unregulated means. Legalizing and regulating sports betting seems like a natural progression to meet this demand while offering protections and generating much-needed revenue for the state.

Land-based casinos and racetracks in California

While sports betting is nowhere to be seen, California still offers a rich offering of horse racing venues, each with its own charm and history, though I still think that Bing Crosby’s ties to Del Mar make it the best choice for history buffs.

In addition to the racetracks, California is home to a variety of casinos run by the tribes, many of which offer a host of great gaming options. While not all tribal casinos offer horse betting, several have integrated satellite wagering facilities, letting patrons bet on simulcast races from all over the country. Here are a few of the must-visit options:

The end of my trip to California to find good betting sites

As my California stay came to a close, I reflected on the state’s unique relationship with sports betting. Despite its vibrant sports culture, California remains without legalized sports betting, unlike many other states I’ve visited.

I stayed at Hotel Indigo, a cozy boutique hotel offering easy access to both the Del Mar Racetrack and the coastline. It was a perfect base, especially since I wasn’t having much luck at the tracks.

While packing, I spoke with some locals who shared that, despite legal restrictions, there’s still a strong demand for sports betting. The path to legalization may be complex, but the enthusiasm of Californians suggests the industry will likely flourish.

Which state should I visit next? Send me an email at [email protected]!

DISCLAIMER: 21+. Gamble responsibly. Facing a gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Free gambling addiction resources available at gamblersanonymous.org and gamblingtherapy.com.