California represents the fifth-largest economy worldwide. As of 2016, the state’s casinos generated $8.41 billion in gross gaming revenue.

By December 2022, there were 85 Tribal casinos in California. Together, they contributed nearly $20 billion to the state’s economy, including almost 125,000 jobs and $3.45 billion in tax impact and Tribal revenue share.

California also has well-known horse racing venues like Del Mar and Santa Anita.

In 2022, California voters rejected two propositions to legalize in-person and mobile Sports Betting. The ‘No’ votes for both proposals kept the state as one of the largest markets in the U.S. for offshore gambling sites.

What’s the future of gambling in California?

Sports Betting in California

The gambling industry in California typically relies on referendums and amendments to the state constitution. For example, voters approved Proposition 3 in 1933 to legalize pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing.

In November 2022, both Proposition 26 and 27 got rejected by voters in California. Prop 26 would’ve legalized in-person sports betting at Tribal casinos and racetracks.

Prop 27 sought to legalize online and mobile sports betting. Some of the industry’s top companies got behind the amendment—but in-state operators raised more money to help defeat it.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on sports betting in 2018. Since then, more than half the country legalized some form of sports wagering.

It’s possible that sports betting in California may again reach state ballots for voters in 2024. However, there’s gridlock between Native American tribes and lobby groups.

Even if voters approved a constitutional amendment to legalize in-state sports betting, it could take at least a year to launch.

That leaves California bettors in a legal gray area regarding offshore betting sites.

What to Know About Offshore Gambling Sites

Due to the restrictive nature of internal licensing in the gaming industry, there are specific jurisdictions that cater to international licenses. These areas permit operators to get licensed offshore.

Affordable licensing fees in gambling-friendly countries offer significant potential for smaller companies.

Noteworthy jurisdictions friendly to international gaming licenses include:

• Malta (European Union)
• Curaçao (Caribbean)
• Antigua and Barbuda (Caribbean)
• Isle of Man (British Crown Dependency)
• Gibraltar (British Overseas Territory)
• Costa Rica
• Panama
• Montenegro

Each country or territory contains different regulatory approaches to gambling oversight. California players must conduct their research before depositing at an offshore gambling site.

Online Casinos in California

The future of gambling in California certainly includes online casinos. While the state struggles with the sports betting legalization process, certain jurisdictions already legalized online casinos for in-state players.

Those areas retain a small portion of the online gaming industry. For California players, there are various reputable options at offshore sites.

To find your favorite online casino in California, it helps to try a few different companies.

For example, there’s Red Dog Casino. Licensed and regulated in Curaçao, they offer a generous welcome bonus worth up to $8,000.

With stiff competition, gambling companies use bonuses to attract new players. In the future, bonuses at online casinos may increase in size and scope.

Also, live dealers became a new trend at online casinos during the coronavirus pandemic. With land-based operations closed, that left online gaming companies to pick up the slack.

The industry responded with many new online casinos offering hefty welcome bonuses while expanding their selection of live dealer availability.

Live Streaming for Bettors

Another exciting feature that serves as a precursor to the future of gambling in California may come from live streaming. In the style of remote live dealers in a studio setting, bettors can live stream sporting events via their favorite sportsbook.

Instead of staring at words and numbers on a screen, live betting occurs while watching games in real time. Video streaming features include live odds and data visualization.

One of the top streaming companies in the gaming industry offers sportsbooks the chance to deliver more than 400,000 events a year for 17 sports. The company boasts live coverage worldwide 24/7.

For California bettors, live streaming online expands on the off-track betting telecasts for horse racing. Choose an online sportsbook that offers live streaming services to place bets on races in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Ireland, France, and South Africa.

In the future, bettors in the Golden State may watch and wager on table tennis in Czechia and volleyball in Belarus as a daily common occurrence.

Virtual Reality (VR) in the Gambling Industry

The future of gambling in California may also come from virtual online casinos. Virtual reality (VR) takes live streaming further in the gaming industry.

Players might use a VR headset paired with their smartphone to gamble online alongside others at a blackjack table or poker tournament. They could place their wagers on a 3D roulette table or throw the dice in a virtual craps game with a wrist flick.

With the fusion of live streaming and VR, bettors in California might one day experience sitting in the stands at a 3D replica of Dodger Stadium—right from the comfort of home.

Gambling in California: How to Get Started

The rise of retail sports betting and mobile wagering across the U.S. built an industry atop one that already existed. Gambling in California goes back decades, perhaps longer, with the Gold Rush.

Speculators continue to steer industries in California, and gambling is no different. While Tribal gaming operators and out-of-state companies vie for control of sports betting, offshore gambling remains highly lucrative.

The future of gambling in California may include legal roadblocks with offshore sites hurdling to capture the market online.

What’s your favorite way to gamble in the Golden State?