California is the richest and most populous state in the U.S., and therefore an important market for gambling. However, its political landscape is complex, and competing interests have tended to sink most attempts at gambling expansion, despite the state’s overall liberal politics.
Retail poker is huge in California, thanks to its many cardrooms, which can legally offer only player-vs.-player, card-based forms of gambling. Many of the biggest tournaments and most popular poker streams in the U.S. take place at venues in California, like Bay 101, Commerce Casino, the Bicycle, and Stones Gambling Hall.
Online poker is a different story, being illegal for real money in the state. For a time, sweepstakes poker rooms targeted California residents, but the state banned that business model in September 2025.
The California Superior Court has upheld its tentative August decision to dismiss tribes’ lawsuit against the state’s card rooms, though… Continue reading Tribal Suit Against Card Rooms Likely Headed for California Supreme Court as Judge Stands by Dismissal Decision
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed anti-sweepstakes bill AB 831 into law, his office announced on Saturday. The signing came a… Continue reading California Gov. Newsom Signs Sweepstakes Ban into Law, Effective Jan. 1
Hard Rock Tejon will soon open in California, and it will bring one of the most comprehensive casino experiences yet… Continue reading Hard Rock Tejon Will Bring a Vegas-Scale Casino Resort to the Los Angeles Area, But Won’t Include Poker
While things look grim for California poker players anticipating the demise of sweepstakes poker in the state, there’s still a… Continue reading Sweepstakes Sites Plead With California Governor for Last-Minute Veto of Sweeps Ban
Three California gaming tribes are suing Kalshi for what they say is illegal gambling on their land, but ironically, the… Continue reading Kalshi Invokes Tribes’ Bet Location Argument in Defense Against California Lawsuit
The addressable market for sweepstakes poker continues to shrink, as a pending ban in California is poised to deal a… Continue reading California Ban on Sweepstakes Gambling Awaits Gov. Newsom’s Signature: Where Does the Industry Turn Next?
If California legislators are going to ban sweepstakes gambling this year, they’ll have to do so by the end of… Continue reading California’s Sweepstakes Gambling Ban is Coming Down to the Wire
A bill seeking to ban sweepstakes poker and casino sites in California has advanced to the Senate floor with a… Continue reading California Bill To Ban Sweepstakes Gambling Advances Through Committee To Senate Floor
A California judge has issued a tentative ruling indicating that she plans to dismiss tribes’ lawsuit against the state’s cardrooms… Continue reading California Tribes Hit Immediate Setback in Cardroom Lawsuit as Judge Declares It a Federal Matter
California Governor Gavin Newsom currently looks like Democrats’ best hope to win the next presidential election, and predictions market bettors don’t seem… Continue reading Newsom’s Presidential Odds Rising Despite Potential Tribal Casino Scandal
