Online Fantasy Sports Platforms Could Face Actions by California Attorney General Bonta
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has declared online daily fantasy sports (DFS) sites unlawful, setting in motion a series of potential enforcement actions against operators offering real-money contests in the state.
In a 33-page advisory opinion released on July 3, 2025, Bonta stated that both pick’em and draft-style DFS contests violate California penal code provisions prohibiting sports betting. The opinion emphasizes that the presence of skill in the games does not exempt them from betting prohibitions, as California law defines wagering broadly to include activities involving skill or judgment alongside chance.
Following the release of the opinion, operators like Underdog have challenged the decision through litigation, but recent court decisions dismissed these efforts. Many DFS companies, including FanDuel, have expressed intentions to engage with the Attorney General’s office to discuss next steps, but some have chosen to continue offering contests despite the opinion.
California’s Attorney General’s office has placed DFS operators "on notice" that illegal operations could face enforcement, although specific lawsuits, fines, or other penalties have not yet been widely reported as of late July 2025. The opinion has ignited wider legal and regulatory debates involving tribal casinos, sportsbooks, and lawmakers about the future handling of DFS and sports betting in California, suggesting a potential shift toward formal legislative or regulatory action beyond the AG’s advisory role.
During a virtual press conference on Monday evening, Bonta spoke publicly about his legal opinion, stating that online DFS sites are unlawful. He emphasized that the next step is enforcement of the laws. No specific platforms were mentioned in the paragraph.
It is important to note that sports betting is illegal in the state of California. The illegal status of online DFS sites in California is due to their involvement in sports betting. The Attorney General’s action is in response to these platforms continuing to operate after he released a legal decision stating they violate state law.
The news report about this issue was handled by KCRA-TV’s Ashley Zavala, and the news report about this issue was aired by KCRA-TV.
- Despite ongoing legal challenges, the California Attorney General's office has warned casino-and-gambling operators offering daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests that their operations may be considered illegal, potentially leading to enforcement actions.
- The growing trend in gambling, particularly dating back to the rise of online DFS sites, has become a significant concern in the finance sector due to the ambiguity of gambling laws in California, which has prompted intense debates about the future handling of gambling activities in the state.
