California. The Golden State. One of the biggest states in America, and one of the biggest holiday spots for people all around the globe. A state renowned for its diversity, city life, glamorous events, and nightlife, it’s the perfect holiday getaway for anyone seeking to visit the US.

However, something which it is not too well known for is gambling and betting. When one thinks of gambling, some of the places that come to mind are Las Vegas or Macau, rather than California, which is known more for its sunny beaches than rolling slots. What is it that may set California apart, and what are the best ways one can profit in this state? Sportsbooks are the most well-known choice, due to certain legal aspects.

The Legal Situation:

One of the biggest legal issues surrounding California sports betting arises due to the inherent illegality of gambling in the state of California. The only applicable forms of gambling which are legal are card rooms, state-run lotteries and bingos, horse race wagering, and gambling in tribal casinos. The gambling control act essentially regulates all aspects of gaming in California, acting as the main piece of legislation in regard to anything gambling related.

Sports betting, however, is currently being fought for in two amendments to the California constitution, something which residents of California will vote for in the November 2022 elections. These amendments are currently known as Propositions 26, and 27 which would allow for both in-person and online betting respectively. While they will be voted for in 2022, according to most gaming analysts, the statistics aren’t too high for the bill to be passed, with industry analysts Eilers and Krejcik predicting that neither proposal will pass with a greater than 50% chance.

Voters are probably going to be confused and discouraged from supporting either initiative due to the intense verbal and commercial combat between supporters on both sides. In the best-case scenario, sports betting will come fully into play in 2023, as despite the bill passing it would still take a while for sportsbooks to come into effect.

Is All Hope For Gambling Lost On The Golden Coast?

Simply put, no. While the bill has a relatively good chance of passing and being enacted, any prospective bettor or gambler can still try to win big in the golden coast, through a number of methods, such as the aforementioned tribal casinos, lotteries, horse races, bingos, etc. But for those on the golden coast who still want to partake in online sports betting, yet do not want to break the law and end up with serious legal consequences, then there is the option of offshore betting. Offshore gaming or offshore betting is, as the name might imply, offshore rather than being situated and registered in a certain country or state. By doing so, one can legally wager in California while avoiding the legal obstacles that are currently preventing internet gaming there.

There are currently hundreds of offshore sportsbooks, the majority of which are based out of Curacao or Panama. The relevant authorities conduct extensive audits of these offshore sportsbooks to ensure that there are no irregularities. Overall, these offshore sportsbooks are the only way to place a wager within the state of California while remaining within Legal Boundaries. So while the future of local sports betting is unclear in California, one can still bet to their heart’s content offshore.

Some Of The Best Offshore Sportsbooks In California:

To make sure one can bet contently, here are some of the best offshore sportsbooks in California with most of their pros and cons listed to get you on the right track to betting!

BetUS

This sportsbook comes in handy for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is one of the most long-standing, operating for almost thirty years and regulated well by the Costa Rica Government, something which is always a green flag when choosing a good sports book. Apart from that, one of the things that set BetUS apart is its generosity when it comes to bonuses, offering up to ten thousand dollars alone in bonus money.

Bovada

If you’re into bitcoin, then this sportsbook is undoubtedly for you. Unlike other sites which merely use crypto as a form of payment, Bovada actively encourages users by providing bonuses for those who utilize cryptocurrency as a form of payment. Apart from that, Bovada provides integrated video streaming to watch matches in real-time.

MyBookie

Worldwide and perfect for bettors in California, Mybookie offers a variety of betting opportunities across more than twenty sports, many of which are favorites in the US. Sports like football, basketball, baseball, darts, ice hockey, martial arts, motorsports, and many more can be bet on via the MyBookies website or mobile app. You can bet on large domestic leagues like the NBA or NFL as well as minor counterpart sports from all around the world.

In Conclusion

Sports betting in California is uncertain as of today. However, one is still spoilt for choice when it comes to betting, gambling, and gaming. Offshore sportsbooks provide as much variety and opportunities as local sportsbooks, with only minor drawbacks, and the provided offshore sportsbooks will make your experience betting as smooth as can be.