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California's sports betting limbo leaves bettors turning to offshore sites

Voters rejected legalization in 2022, and now tribal conflicts keep California's market frozen. Where are bettors placing their wagers instead?

The image shows an old newspaper with the title "Budweiser Betting" printed on the front page. The...
The image shows an old newspaper with the title "Budweiser Betting" printed on the front page. The paper is yellowed with age and the text is written in black ink. The headline is bold and stands out against the yellowed background.

California's sports betting limbo leaves bettors turning to offshore sites

Legal sports betting in California remains stalled after voters rejected two proposals in 2022. Disputes between Native American tribes, card rooms, and online operators continue to block progress. Meanwhile, residents still have options through offshore betting sites. In 2022, California voters turned down both sports betting initiatives on the ballot. Since then, negotiations have hit repeated roadblocks. Tribes want to keep gambling rights limited to their casinos, while card rooms and online sportsbooks argue for broader access.

The deadlock leaves California without a regulated market for now. However, offshore sportsbooks still accept bets from state residents. These platforms allow wagers on local professional and college teams, filling the gap left by the legal delays.

Our gambling experts have reviewed the top offshore options available to Californians. These sites operate outside US regulations but remain accessible to bettors in the state. Without a resolution between tribes, card rooms, and operators, legal sports betting in California stays on hold. Offshore platforms remain the only immediate choice for residents looking to bet on sports. The debate over market access and regulation is likely to continue for some time.

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