Sports Betting in California
Not LegalBy DawBets · Last verified: April 2026
Quick answer: Online sports betting is not legal in California, but 6 CFTC-regulated prediction markets and 1 peer-to-peer sweepstakes exchange remain available under separate regulatory frameworks.
Licensed Sportsbooks
Not available. Online sports betting is not legal in California. Prop 26 and Prop 27 both rejected by voters in 2022 (68% and 83% opposition). No active legislation.
Prediction Markets
Federally regulated by the CFTC. Trade event contracts on an exchange model — separate from state-licensed sportsbooks. Federally available: prediction markets remain legal in California under federal CFTC regulation, even though traditional online sportsbooks are not authorized.
Peer-to-Peer Sweepstakes Exchanges
Dual-currency model. Trade directly against other users instead of against a sportsbook. Sweepstakes-model platforms were banned in California effective January 1, 2026 under Assembly Bill 831, eliminating ProphetX and Novig from the state's largest market.
Legislative Status
Prop 26 and Prop 27 both rejected by voters in 2022 (68% and 83% opposition). No active legislation.
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Frequently asked questions
Is sports betting legal in California?
No. Online sports betting is not currently legal in California. Prop 26 and Prop 27 both rejected by voters in 2022 (68% and 83% opposition). No active legislation.
Can I use Kalshi in California?
Yes. Kalshi is a CFTC-regulated prediction market available to California residents. It offers sports event contracts under federal commodities regulation, separate from state-licensed sportsbooks.
Is ProphetX available in California?
California banned dual-currency sweepstakes platforms effective January 1, 2026 under Assembly Bill 831 (signed by Gov. Newsom in October 2025).
What betting platforms are legally available in California?
Even though traditional online sportsbooks are not authorized in California, you can access CFTC-regulated prediction markets (Kalshi, Polymarket US, Robinhood, FanDuel Predicts, DraftKings Predictions, Crypto.com Event Contracts) and peer-to-peer sweepstakes exchanges (Fliff). These operate under different regulatory frameworks than licensed sportsbooks.