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Best California Online Poker Sites 2025
California's online poker industry ranks among the biggest in the U.S. Major poker tournament series stop at venues like Thunder Valley Casino and Commerce Casino. The World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker Circuit often pick these spots. Yet, regulated online poker for real money? Unfortunately, it is not legal due to current legislation. Want to play poker online in California? You'll need to check out offshore sites. Our experts have you covered. We're here to review top platforms for playing online poker for real money in California and will also show you how to get started quickly.
Top California online poker sites: where to roll
| CA poker site | Bonuses | Rakeback |
|---|---|---|
| BetOnline Poker | 100% up to $1,000 | VIP |
| ACR Poker | 100% up to $2,000 | 27% flat or up to 65% |
| Ignition Poker | up to $3,000 | up to 20% |
| CoinPoker | 150% up to $2,000 | 33%+ |
| Everygame Poker | 200% up to $1,000 | 36% |
You may already know that there are not many poker sites available in California. So choosing the right one isn't a challenge.
Let's take a look at some of the great options for playing poker in CA.
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Our criteria for ranking the best CA poker sites
Navigating the many poker sites in the United States California can be overwhelming with so many options competing for your attention. Our team has studied the market and local preferences to bring you the recommended sites listed above. We have used strict criteria in our evaluations.
- Game variety. Not all poker fans enjoy classic Texas Hold'em or Omaha. Some of you prefer the excitement of a 5-6 Card PLO. Others might like the strategy in Seven-Card Stud or the quick action of Spin&Go. A good poker site should offer something for everyone. Pro players and beginners both need options to keep the experience fun.
- Welcome bonuses and promotions. Bonus offers and promotions provided by poker sites serve as valuable incentives and increase your bankroll. Players who play online poker regularly can also benefit from ongoing promotions.
- Reliability. Our reviews check if the site gets its license and RNG certificate from a reputable authority, especially when playing for real money online. Reputation and history are also important to us. Most of the poker sites on our list have been around for more than 15 years.
- Customer support. Great support is crucial for a smooth gaming experience. We choose poker websites with 24/7 support via multiple channels. Phone, email, and live chat are common methods.
- Payment options. Imagine winning a big pot and facing payment issues —frustrating, right? We suggest poker sites with secure, convenient, and fast deposit and withdrawal options: a mix of trusted e-wallets and cryptocurrency.
- Mobile experience. Convenience matters, especially for today's mobile-first poker players. A complicated interface makes playing poker difficult. We select online poker sites with user-friendly native mobile apps and easy navigation.
Real money online Poker in California
In the early 2000s, online poker was widely available in California. However, on 15 April 2011, the US Department of Justice brought the poker festivities to a halt. They swooped in and seized the domains of major online poker sites such as PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. These sites were accused of violating the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006.
In 2025, you won't find any licensed online poker sites in California. From a legal perspective, online poker is prohibited in the Golden State. So residents can't legally play for real money.
The only legal options for online poker fans are social poker and sweepstakes poker sites like Global Poker.
However, many Californians turn to offshore sites. These sites operate in a legal grey area and aren't subject to California laws.
While there aren't many offshore online poker rooms available in California, the ones that are there are absolutely huge and well-known brands with millions of players worldwide. For example: ACR, BetOnline and Ignition Casino.
Offshore poker sites allow you to play with people from all over the world, not just Californians. They also offer plenty of bonuses and promotions to boost your bankroll.
The legal background of online poker in California State
| Type of gambling | Is eligible? |
|---|---|
| Online poker sites | Only offshore poker sites |
| Land-based poker rooms | Eligible |
| Sports Betting | Prohibited |
| Casinos | Eligible |
California is known for its liberal stance, which extends to its gambling industry. Numerous real money land-based casinos operate statewide, generating significant revenue for the local economy.
The laws around real money online poker in California? Those are another story. According to Penal Code Sec. 337j(e)(1), online poker doesn't get the green light. Operators can't run real money online poker sites within state lines. Numerous attempts to legalize and regulate it have been made, but success remains out of reach.
The future of online gambling laws in California remains uncertain, but change is always possible. Finding common ground among tribal casinos, cardrooms, and political interests proves challenging. In 2021, the state housed over 100 tribal casinos and numerous cardrooms, each with its own agenda. Lawmakers are pushing hard for legalization, striving to regulate online poker. Despite this uncertainty, legal alternatives like sweepstakes poker and social poker games are available for Californians to enjoy.
It's important to remember that online poker for real money is illegal in California. This is because it violates the state's gaming laws. But here's the good news: despite this, no one has ever been prosecuted in California for playing real money poker on offshore platforms.
Are poker winnings taxed in CA?
There is no state tax on gambling in California. Poker winnings from casinos or card rooms are considered regular income. The good news is that it's taxed based on California income tax brackets.
Online poker remains unregulated in California, so many people have questions about whether or not they should report their online winnings for tax purposes. We recommend that you consult an accountant if you earn money online.
Step-by-step guide to playing online poker in California
Registering at a top poker site in CA is simple. If you don't know how to play online poker, we have a guide. Let's go through it.
- Register an account with an online poker site. The first thing you need to do is to sign up at your favorite poker site. Fill out the registration form and you're ready to go!
- Make a deposit. Go to the cashier, select your real money deposit option, and complete the transaction. Make sure you select the 1st deposit welcome bonus.
- Choose a table and jump in! We suggest starting with micro-stakes until you're ready to take on higher stakes. It's a great way to build your confidence. And stick to your bankroll management.
Deposit and withdrawal methods
While online poker isn't currently legal in California, there's still a way to get in on the action and enjoy the thrill of winning! Many offshore poker sites accept cryptocurrencies, making deposits and withdrawals quick and easy.
All of the most popular digital coins are usually available at the cashier:
- BTC
- ETH
- USDT
- USDC
- LTC
- DOGE and others
When it comes to e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and Payz, you will find them in the cashier at poker sites. The only catch is that they're not available for deposits in unregulated online gambling territories, like California.
Prospects for regulating online poker in California
After years of debate over online poker, the focus has shifted to the legalization of sports betting. As a result, it seems unlikely that California poker players will be playing online poker for real money soon.
The population is much larger than in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where online poker is legal. However, until the state agrees to legalize sports betting, the chances of online poker being legalised remain slim. Poker players in California can enjoy live games and other options such as sweepstakes poker.
Best California poker players
Brian Rast has won $28 million in live poker tournaments, almost twice as much as another famous California pro, David Raymond.
Rast began his poker career playing cash games at California's Lucky Chances, Garden City, and Bay 101 casinos. In 2007, he decided to test his skills in tournaments and finished third in the $5,200 buy-in Fifth Annual Five Star World Poker Classic. His winnings totaled $101,230.
All of Brian's subsequent career successes have come in live tournaments. However, the poker player considers mixed-game cashes to be his main discipline.
In 2023, Rost will be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame with the following distinction:
- The only player to have won more than $1 million in live tournament prize money for seven consecutive years.
- The only player to win the $50K Poker Players Championship three times.
- The 19th person in WSOP history to win 6 bracelets (from 2011 to 2023).
- Ranks in the world's top 30 in total earnings.
Conclusion
California may not be a poker fan's paradise. However, there are still decent online poker options available, including Global Poker, Bovada, Ignition, and ACR. If you're betting on the future, these sites might get state regulation and taxation, giving them a boost in legitimacy.
Looking for an online poker room in California? Offshore poker sites offer a wide choice. But there's a catch: security and quality varies.
Choosing the right online poker room is crucial. Worldpokerdeals help guide your choice. Take online gambling seriously. Pick a site that ensures security and comfort with your details.
Responsible Gambling in California
We recommend playing in moderation and training yourself to identify the signs of a potential gambling addiction. These include things like feeling the need to gamble more and more, restlessness when not playing, and trying to recover lost money at the tables. If you notice any of these signs, please don't hesitate to reach out and get help here:
California Council on Problem Gambling
National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
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