Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Coalition to Authorize Regulated Sports Wagering has suspended its efforts to gather signatures for its California sports betting initiative, introduced. Pros and cons of legal California sports betting apps A legal, online sports gambling market in California would present many benefits over the current unregulated setup. Some of these perks include regulation, bonuses and more state tax dollars. Download BetMGM App. THE KING OF SPORTSBOOKS. BetMGM is an official sports betting partner of National Basketball Association (© 2020 NBA ENTERTAINMENT) MLB. BetMGM is an official sports betting partner of Major League Baseball (TM/© 2020 MLB) NHL. Sports betting in California is sadly still not legal. However, daily fantasy sports and horse racing sites operate legally in the state. Given its size and love of pro sports, California is one of the most eagerly-anticipated sports betting markets in the United States. BetMGM Online & Mobile App. BetMGM is an official sports betting partner of National Basketball Association (© 2020 NBA ENTERTAINMENT). (CA residents only).
California is an exercise in frustration. Legal sports betting simply cannot get going in the Golden State. Most recently, a proposed ballot initiative failed to gain enough signatures to make it onto the ballot.
Past efforts for sports betting legalization have stalled without ever making it out of the legislative process. Time is also running exceedingly short for the measure to pass through the needed committees and be the subject of a full vote.
Moreover, the state’s powerful tribes — which generate approximately $8 billion annually – would potentially be in opposition to the legalization of sports betting as a form of gaming expansion within the state. Notably, various pieces of online poker legislation have experienced an abundance of opposition from the tribes over the last decade in California for similar reasons.
Sports Betting California 2020
When will California sports betting be legal?
The possible launch date for legal California sports betting is unknown at the moment. There are two ongoing initiatives presently under consideration, both involving the state’s Indian tribes.
The first would legalize sports wagering at land-based Indian casinos and horse racing tracks exclusively. This plan would not include online/mobile wagering for the foreseeable future. This initiative is being advanced by the tribes themselves.
The second effort stems from the state’s legislature. Under that plan, online/mobile wagering would be made available on platforms affiliated with the tribal casinos and racetracks. This plan is opposed by the tribes because it would also allow the state’s cardrooms to continue offering the house-banked card games the tribes feel infringe on their exclusivity.
It’s possible that either or both measures are put on the ballot as early as in November 2020. However, for that to become reality, each will have to qualify for the ballot by June 25. The tribes’ initiative suffered a setback in their already advanced signature collection efforts for the ballot when the coronavirus pandemic led to widespread stay-at-home orders.
A lawsuit filed by the tribes with the Superior Court of the State of California on June 9 seeks to obtain an extension on the timeline needed to gather and verify the necessary signature to qualify the measure for the ballot this November.
How does California sports betting work?
There currently is no legal sports betting framework in California, although there are two initiatives under consideration.
Where can I bet on sports in California?
At the moment, there is no legal sports betting framework in California. Depending on which of the two competing initiatives eventually passes via voter referendum, bettors will either be limited to placing sports bets at Indian tribe brick-and-mortar casino locations and racetracks (the tribes’ initiative) or through online/mobile platforms associated with Indian tribe casinos and racetracks (legislative initiative).
How old do I have to be to place sports bets in California?
There is currently no legal sports betting in California. However, based on other gambling-related activities in the state, it would be reasonable to expect that bettors will have to be at least 21 years of age to place a bet whenever wagering is legalized.
How do I begin betting on sports in CA?
With no legal sports betting currently available in California, there is naturally no set policy and procedures in place for establishing a betting account in California.
However, following the model of other states, it’s expected that bettors will have to provide the following basic information to open an account:
- Name
- Age
- Address
- Phone number
- Social security number for tax purposes
- Valid e-mail address if online account
How do I withdraw my winnings?
Sports betting is not yet available in the state of California, and it remains to be seen if the initiative that allows online wagering will be the one that eventually is codified into law.
If online/mobile wagering is eventually available in California, it’s reasonable to expect that operators will offer the conventional withdrawal methods they typically make available in other states where legalized betting is already available.
These methods include:
- ACH/E-check
- Check
- Paypal
- Prepaid card supplied by the operator
However, if sports betting is limited to brick-and-mortar locations, then withdrawal options may be limited to checks or in-person withdrawals on site at sportsbooks.
Can I use my online sportsbook account outside of California?
Sports betting is not yet available in the state of California. If the measure being advanced by state’s Indian tribes is the proposal that is eventually voted on and passed, there would not be online wagering allowed. All bets under that plan as currently proposed would have to be made in person at the tribes’ brick-and-mortar casinos.
If the measure being advanced by the legislature is the one eventually voted on and passed, online wagering through platforms associated with tribal casinos and racetracks would be available. In this instance, bettors would physically have to be located within California – as verified by geolocation technology – in order to place a wager.
Will sports betting odds be competitive in California?
Naturally, it will be in the best interest of sportsbooks to offer competitive odds once sports betting is legalized in California. A principal factor will be what kind of tax rate and licensing fees operators are expected to pay under a legal sports betting framework.
What sports can I bet on in California?
If and when sports betting is legalized in California, it is expected that operators will be able to offer wagering on all major sports, as is the case in all other states already offering legalized wagering. That includes the following sports/leagues:
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- CFL
- Golf
- Tennis
- NASCAR
- NCAA sports
Which California sports teams will I be able to bet on?
Should the state pass legal sports betting legislation, betting on the following teams, in addition to the major colleges, will likely be permitted:
- Los Angeles Angels (MLB)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
- Oakland A’s (MLB)
- San Diego Padres (MLB)
- San Francisco Giants (MLB)
- Los Angeles Chargers (NFL)
- Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
- San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
- Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
- Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)
- Golden State Warriors (NBA)
- Sacramento Kings (NBA)
- Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
- Los Angeles Kings (NHL)
- San Jose Sharks (NHL)
What types of bets can I make in California?
If and when sports betting is legalized in California, it is expected that bettors will have access to the following types of wagers:
- Moneyline: A wager on which team will win the game outright, regardless of margin of victory.
- Spreads: A bet based on the projected margin of victory that is set by oddsmakers.
- Totals: A bet on the combined score and whether it will be over or under a line set by sportsbooks.
- Futures: A bet on an outcome that has not yet happened.
- Parlays: A parlay is a bet that encompasses wagers on at least two separate sporting events. For a parlay wager to be deemed successful, all the bets that comprise it must be winning ones. If any wager within a parlay is a losing one, then the entire parlay is null and void.
- Props: Proposition wagers are bets that are typically based on metrics such as individual statistical milestones and team milestones.
In-game wagering and live betting
There is no specific indication at this point that in-game wagering and live betting will be prohibited under either of the active sports betting proposals in California. However, there’s always the possibility that outlook is altered before either measure is put up for a voter referendum.
What companies will offer sports betting?
It remains to be seen what companies/operators would be part of California’s sports betting market. If the initiative advanced by the tribes were to be the one that is codified into law, there would be no online sports betting options in California. As such, there may be a more limited number of companies involved in the market partnering with the tribes to run their brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
However, if the legislative effort is the one that is eventually passed by voters, online/mobile betting would be made available to California residents. Under that scenario, there would be a substantial number of companies interested in entering the market, including:
- BetAmerica
- theScore Bet
Where will California sports betting tax revenue go?
Without an official legal sports betting framework in place, there is no set breakdown of how tax revenue from sports betting would be allocated within California.
If the model from other states is generally followed, the bulk of the revenue will naturally go into California’s coffers, with small percentages potentially going toward problem gambling initiatives or administrative costs related to the oversight of the industry within the state.
Eilers and Krejcik project the legislative initiative would produce $503 million per year in revenue for the state when the market is fully mature, including $282 million during the first six months when factoring in expected licensing fees. Meanwhile, the tribes’ plan, which would not include online wagering, is projected to bring in approximately $200 million per year.
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California Sports Betting App Goes Public
Sportsbook apps allow you to place real money wagers from anywhere as long as you have a phone or Wi-Fi connection and a smart device. Turn your iPhone, Android, or iOS device into a mobile sportsbook in minutes!
Real Money Betting Apps by Sport
While most bettors look for an app that covers every major game of a sport (or even esport), the quality is not always the same across the board. It’s not that some companies are dropping the ball, it’s that some betting apps give a little extra TLC to specific sports. If you’re interested in betting on a particular game, it makes sense to go to the best sports betting apps focused on that specific sport.
Best Real Money Betting Apps
The best mobile betting apps offer comprehensive coverage across several different sports, and they also offer many other real money gambling options. However, not all apps are created equal when it comes to their offerings. Some may focus more on popular sports like football or soccer, while others may offer more competitive odds on sports like rugby, golf, or even esports. As a result, you should be looking for an app that best suits your gambling needs.
What We Look for in Sports Betting Apps
Determining the best real money betting apps is not easy. There are hundreds of providers to choose from, offering vastly different levels of quality, safety, and service. While the entire ranking would take a long time to breakdown for you, we want to give you a quick look at what we deem to be the most important. Below, you’ll see the four factors we include in our process to find the best sports betting apps for real money wagering.
Safety and Security
Making sure you’re using a safe sports betting app is paramount to the quality of your experience. You need the peace of mind that your money is safe, your bets will be honored, and you’re not putting yourself at risk. We’re not trying to pump doom and gloom into your day, but we want you to understand how seriously we take this. Safety and security are the top two criteria we always look for when creating and updating our list of recommended online betting apps.
Bonuses
If you have two sports betting apps side by side and they’re identical in every sense, except one gives you free money for betting, where are you going to take your action? You better be grabbing that free money! While we will never select sportsbook apps based solely on the bonuses they offer, we do use them in our rankings calculation. We look for big bonuses that are easy to clear, available to bettors of all levels, and cover many (if not all) sports.
Banking Options
Apps for betting on sports are worthless if they make moving your money around a challenge. You should be able to deposit instantly and get cash withdrawals within a few hours or a few days, at the very least. The sports betting apps for iPhones and Androids that we recommend offer multiple high-quality, safe, and secure banking options.
Sports Betting Apps vs. Online Betting Sites
Using only the best sports betting apps to house your real money action offers a lot of added benefits. While online betting sites provide some of the same perks, they can’t match everything mobile betting apps bring to the table. Here are just a few of the most important advantages of choosing to use this newer technology.
You Can Use Sportsbook Apps to Bet 24/7 From Anywhere
As long as you have access to a smart device and the internet, you can place real money wagers. This gives you the ability to place wagers from home, at work, at the doctor, on the bus, in your car, at the game, at the bar, or anywhere else you might want to get action. As long as sportsbooks are taking action, you’ll be able to get in the action. Here are a few everyday situations where this comes in handy.
- When you get a hot tip texted to you minutes before the game, and you’re not at home or in a sportsbook
- When you were supposed to have time to get to the casino before the game, but something came up
- When you completely forgot the game was today, but you still want to get action
Online sports betting apps are there to help you in all of these situations and a whole lot more.
Apps for Betting on Sports Allow You to Shop Lines Much More Efficiently
The aforementioned benefits of top sports betting apps are essential for convenience. But the most important advantage over desktop betting websites is much more critical to your success. When you’ve got access to betting lines 24/7, you have the ability to shop your lines much more effectively. Within seconds, you can check to see if a line has shifted for you, against you, or is holding true.
California Casino Sports Betting
- Allows you to study trends and predict the best time to place your sports bets
- Lets you time your betting predictions perfectly to get the best odds and biggest potential wins
- Take advantage of news before the rest of the betting public
Betting Apps: Android vs iPhone (iOS)
While most of the best betting apps are compatible with all devices, the only way to be sure your device is covered is by choosing an option specifically designed for your equipment. Below, we’ve got links to the top apps for betting on sports using real money for iPhones and Androids.
Best iPhone Betting Apps
If you’re an iPhone owner, we already know you love the latest and greatest technology. Whether you’ve got the brand new iPhone with the liquid retina screen or you’re rocking a classic like the iPhone 6, you want to be able to bet on sports from your phone. The link below will take you to a list of the top iPhone sports betting apps. These apps are compatible with every iPhone and will work even if you’ve been putting off that iOS update.
Additionally, all of these sportsbooks also double as iOS betting apps, compatible with other Apple iOS devices like your iPad or iMac.
Best Android Betting Apps
A comparable or arguably better phone than the iPhone is an Android. Android owners are known for caring less about the hype or how great someone says something is and more about the actual quality. Because of this, we put a lot of extra quality checks in place when determining the best Android sports betting apps. Click the link below on sports betting apps for Android, and we’ll get you set up regardless of which device you’re using.
Frequent Questions About Online Sports Betting Apps
Sports Betting Books In California
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