The best online casinos in California
We run down the best options for players looking for online casinos in California.
California is generally known for relaxed gambling regulations, which have given it a selection of land-based casinos that can give Las Vegas a run for its money, but what about gambling at online casinos?
It’s perhaps strange then that online gambling fairs quite differently in the state and despite pushes to advance legislation, things still haven’t got off the ground, perhaps because of opposition from tribal land-based casinos.
As a result, California has nowhere near the range of online casino options than in European countries like the UK.
However, there are several reputable US-facing online casino sites that accept players from California and there appear to be no rules against players using them.
Here’s our run down of five of the best online casinos operating in California at the moment.
1. Bovada Casino
If it’s variety you’re after, then Bovada is a good option. California, like most US states, can’t count on the big European online casino platforms that offer thousands of games to players, but Bovada has the most variety you’re likely to find stateside. It beats most other online casinos open to players in California by offering 300 slots and a range of table games, and it seems to do a good job of keeping up with trends. It carries slots from Rival and RealTime Gaming, and updates its table games fairly regularly. The names might not be familiar, but table games like Teen Patti Rapid, Teen Patti Pro, and Andar Bahar tables have simple but engaging gameplay.
2. BetOnline.ag Casino
While Bovada has the best variety of games out of the online casinos available in California, BetOnline comes up trumps for the number and quality of table games offered, boasting two live-dealer casinos and in the standard section no less than 23 options for blackjack, 17 table poker games, ten craps and roulette options and four versions of baccarat. Poker in particular is well-catered for with a dedicated poker room alongside the main casino.
3. High Country Casino
If you’re looking for a good welcome bonus, then High Country Casino, which is run by the Main Street Vegas Group, is a good bet for players in California. The last we saw, the casino was offering new players a welcome bonus that comes in two stages: a 500 per cent deposit match that’s good for up to $2,500 and 50 per cent cashback up to $250. Note that both have rollover requirements so check you’re happy with the terms and conditions.
4. Vegas Casino Online
Vegas Casino Online is operated by the same group as High Country Casino. It hasn’t been offering quite so generous welcome offers, but it matches its stablemate when it comes to free withdrawals, which isn’t the case with the majority of online casinos that accept US customers. Most online casinos accessible from California charge for withdrawals to players’ bank accounts, and some operators such as Bovada also charge for some forms of deposits. Vegas Casino Online accepts credit cards and Bitcoin deposits and minimum deposits are low, at $20 and $5 respectively. Bitcoin is the fastest method for withdrawing, otherwise you’ll have to wait more than a week for a cheque, but either way the withdrawal has no charge deducted.
5. El Royale
Our final choice for the best online casinos in California is El Royale, a great all-rounder. It looks sharp and sleek with a well-executed 1920s theme. Like the Main Street Vegas Group’s online casinos, it doesn’t charge for banking transactions, and it has the added plus of allowing payout back to the credit card or debit card you deposit with, as well as in Bitcoin. It doesn’t have quite the amount of choice offered over at Bovada, but it’s not so far behind with 200 slots from RealTime Gaming, 21 table games and 17 video poker options. There’s a string of promotions too, to keep players going after the initial welcome bonus, and customer services tends to be quick and efficient, which sets El Royal a notch above many of the other online casino options available in California.
That’s your roundup of the best online casinos in California. If you’re looking to bet at a land-based venue, check out our guide to the nine best casinos in San Diego.
