California has no shortage of online casino-style games, but the rules have changed. As of January 1, 2026, sweepstakes casinos are no longer legal in California, and real-money online casinos are still not permitted under state law.
That means Californians can now legally play only at free-to-play social casinos. These platforms offer the same kind of entertainment people look for in online casinos, including slots, jackpot-style games, and casual table-style options, but without real-money wagering or prize redemptions. Everything is played using virtual currency, which keeps gameplay fully legal and risk-free.
This page breaks down what’s allowed in California, what’s no longer available, and which social casinos are worth your time if you want a safe, legal way to enjoy online casino-style gaming in the Golden State.
| Bonus | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  BetRivers.NET
3.8/5 |
Win up to 1,000 Virtual Coins |
Must be 21 years or older to play. Not available in ID, MT, NV, NY, WA. | |||||
2  Hard Rock Jackpot Planet
3.7/5 |
10,000,000 GC |
Must be 18 years or older to play. Not available in TN/WA. | |||||
1. By subscribing to our email updates, you agree to receive emails from us with relevant updates and other information related to the brand/product/bonus launch.
2. We will only use your email address and other personal information provided during the registration process to send you updates regarding the above. We will not share or sell your information to third parties. However, we may use third-party services to send our emails. These companies may have access to your email address and other personal information solely for the purpose of sending our emails in your interest. We take all reasonable steps to ensure that these companies treat your personal information securely and confidentially. However, we cannot be held liable for any infringement of your privacy or any misuse of your personal information by these companies. By subscribing to our email updates, you agree to the use of the services of these third parties to send the emails. Relevant information regarding these third parties will be provided to you in the relevant emails.
3. You can unsubscribe from our email updates at any time by contacting us at privacy@leadstarmedia.com.
4. You must be at least 21 years old to receive our email updates. By signing up for our emails, you declare that you are at least 18 years old. By checking the box labeled 'I am at least 21 years old', you solemnly swear to be at least 21 years old. You understand that providing false information about your age may result in legal consequences, including, but not limited to, legal penalties for perjury. You also understand that our company (Leadstar Media AB) may take legal action against you if it appears that you have provided incorrect information about your age. You therefore take full responsibility for declaring that you are at least 21 years old and will not assert any claims, damages or other losses against Leadstar Media AB as a result of any false representation that you are at least 21 years old.
5. You agree that we may use cookies and other tracking technologies to monitor your activity on our website and personalise your user experience.
6. By subscribing to our email updates, you declare that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use, Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
7. Our Terms of Use are governed by the law of Sweden. Disputes arising from subscribing to our email updates will be resolved in accordance with Swedish law.
8. We reserve the right to update or change these Terms of Use periodically without notice to you. It is your responsibility to check these periodically.
9. This website (www.unitedgamblers.com) is owned and operated by Leadstar Media AB. This company is registered in Sweden at number 556913-7622 and address Norra Stationsgatan 67, 113 64 Stockholm. If you have any questions about your personal information that are not answered in these Terms of Use, such as requests to delete, update, modify or share personal information with you, please do not hesitate to contact us at privacy@leadstarmedia. com.
Below you will find the complete list of California online casinos where you can safely and legally play casino-style games.
If this list looks different than before, that's because we have had to remove all sweepstakes casinos no longer available in CA following the ban on January 1, 2026. You can rest assured that the remaining platforms listed below are all still available and legal to use in California.
Click on any of the California social casinos listed above to read more about their offerings!
| 🎰 Number of Slots | 798 |
| 🎲 Types of Games | Slots, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat, Poker, Dice, Sic Bo, + more |
| 🤵 Live Dealer Games | Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Dream Catcher, Sic Bo, Texas Hold'em, Crazy Time, Craps |
| ⚙️ Game Providers | Pragmatic, NetEnt, Greentube, Everi, Konami, Habanero, 3 Oaks, AGS, Red Tiger |
| 💳 Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, PayPal, Pre-paid cards, Online banking |
| 🖥️ Desktop Site | betrivers.net |
| ⛔️ Restricted States | ID, MT, NV, NY, WA |
Good live dealer selection
Claim free VC every 4 hours
Renowned iGaming operator
BetRivers.NET is a play-for-fun online social casino in California where players can enjoy popular online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, and more without spending real money.
Players can collect free Virtual Currency (VC) through daily bonuses, gameplay, and various challenges. Although BetRivers.NET doesn't offer sweepstake prizes, it's an excellent platform for practicing strategies that can be used in real money online casinos or simply for enjoying top casino games entirely for free!
Betrivers net Mobile
Betrivers net Slots Mobile
Betrivers net Blackjack Mobile
| 🎰 Number of Games | 150+ |
| 🎲 Types of Games | Slots |
| 🤵 Live Dealer Games | None |
| ⚙️ Game Providers | IGT, Konami, Aristocrat |
| 💳 Payment Methods | Visa, Mastercard |
| 🖥️ Desktop Site | None |
| 🗓️ Year Launched | 2025 |
| 📱 Mobile Apps | iOS & Android |
| 🎁 Registration Gift | 10,000,000 GC |
| 💰 First Purchase Offers | 250,000 GC + 1,000 Free Hearts for $9.99 |
| ⛔️ Restricted States | TN, WA |
Mobile apps for iOS & Android
Huge GC welcome bonus
Earn Hard Rock Unity rewards points
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet is a mobile-only social casino backed by the iconic Hard Rock brand, making it a familiar and trusted option for players across California. It’s one of the few social casinos with a dedicated app on both iOS and Android, which is ideal if you prefer playing slots on your phone rather than a desktop. The focus here is strictly on slots—there are no table games or video poker—but the quality is solid, with games from well-known developers like IGT, Konami, and Aristocrat.
New players get 10,000,000 Gold Coins just for downloading the app and signing up. From there, you can keep your balance topped up through daily login bonuses, refer-a-friend rewards, and optional coin purchases. The app uses two in-game currencies: Gold Coins and Hearts. While you won’t be playing for real cash, Hearts can be redeemed for Hard Rock Unity rewards points, which can be used for perks at Hard Rock hotels, casinos, and cafés, an added bonus that gives the app some real-world value beyond just spinning reels.
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet Games
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet Unity Rewards
Hard Rock Jackpot Planet Offers
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
PROS 🔥
CONS 👎
California's online gambling scene is a complex mix of laws and regulations that reflect the state's cautious and conservative approach to digital wagering. Whether you’re a resident or just curious, understanding the legal framework is crucial before engaging in any online gambling activities.
As of 2026, most forms of online gambling remain illegal in California. However, there are specific exceptions and nuances worth noting:
| 🔞 Legal gambling age in CA | 18+ |
| ♣️ Real Money Online Casinos | No |
| 🎰 Sweepstakes Casinos | No |
| 🎁 Social Casinos | Yes |
| 🏈 Online Sports Betting | No |
| 📱 Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes, but not explicitly legal |
| 🏇 Online Horse Race Betting | Yes |
Social casinos are the only legal alternative for online gambling in California, especially with real-money online casinos and sports betting remaining illegal and sweepstakes casinos banned in the state as of January 1, 2026. Because social casinos do not offer real-money wagering or cash prizes, they are fully legal statewide and carry no legal risk for players.
Unlike offshore gambling sites, social casinos operate openly through app stores and browsers, use play-money currencies, and focus on entertainment rather than real-money payouts. Many platforms feature high-quality slot games from well-known developers, along with daily bonuses and social features, making them the closest legal way for Californians to enjoy a casino-style experience online.
We prioritize transparency in our assessment process of California online casinos, ensuring our audience understands how we rate each platform. Our evaluation process is thorough, employing a rigorous system that carefully analyzes the key factors influencing every site's performance.
Feel free to read more about how we evaluate gambling sites.
California Online Casinos FAQs
No. Real-money online casinos are still illegal in California. Players cannot legally wager real money on online slots, blackjack, roulette, or other casino games. There is currently no regulated online casino market in the state.
No. As of January 1, 2026, online sweepstakes casinos are illegal in California. This includes platforms that use dual currencies and allow players to redeem virtual coins for cash, gift cards, or other prizes. Players should avoid any site still offering prize redemptions under a sweepstakes model.
The only legal option for online casino-style gaming in California is free-to-play social casinos. These platforms let players enjoy slots and other casino-style games using virtual currency only, with no real-money wagering and no prize redemptions.
Social casinos are online platforms designed purely for entertainment. You play using virtual currencies, often called Gold Coins or similar, and you can earn more through daily bonuses or optional purchases. Since there’s no way to cash out winnings, these sites remain legal in California.
No. Social casinos do not offer cash prizes or gift card redemptions. The experience is about gameplay and fun rather than payouts, which is what keeps them compliant with California law.
However, you may be able to earn rewards points, such as Hard Rock Unity points, at certain social casinos that can be redeemed for real-world perks.
Well-known social casinos available to California players include BetRivers.net, Hard Rock Jackpot Planet, and other free-to-play platforms focused on slots and casual casino-style games. These sites are legal as long as they do not use a sweepstakes prize model.
Yes. Californians should avoid offshore gambling sites and any platform claiming to offer cash redemptions through sweepstakes mechanics. These sites operate outside California law and offer little to no player protection.
California has discussed expanding online gambling in the past, but there is no confirmed timeline for legalizing real-money online casinos. Until that changes, social casinos remain the only legal way to play online casino-style games in the state.
UnitedGamblers.com is the ultimate directory for online gambling sites in the US. Whether you want to learn how online gambling works in your state, need advice on which US gambling sites to use, or require guidance on how to stay safe when you gamble online, we have all your online gambling needs under one roof. Feel free to get in touch to find out more!
You must be at least 21+ years old to gamble online.
Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can access crisis counseling and seek help by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (IL/NJ/ MD/MI/PA/WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-888-789-7777 (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-877-8-HOPENY (NY), 1-800-270-7117 (MI), 1-800-589-9966 (OH), 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA), or visit https://www.ncpgambling.org/
