Sports Betting Q&A
Frequently asked questions about sports betting

When will sports betting be legal in California?

Last Updated: Apr 13, 2020
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Fact Checked By: Adam Zdroik

Sports betting is not legal in California, but that could change as soon as November 2020

Multiple bills have been introduced the last few years, but nothing was close to happening until 2020 when tribes started mustering support. As long as they get enough signatures, a sports betting initiative will be on the November 2020 ballot, though the Coronavirus pandemic delayed the process.

Even if the initiative passes on the ballot, regulations will still have to be made, which means sports betting likely wouldn't launch until late 2021. Unfortunately for some, the bill would only allow retail sportsbooks at casinos and racetracks, not through online operators. According to survey numbers, the majority of California voters don't want mobile wagering.

Horse racing betting is legal in person and online, while Daily Fantasy Sports are allowed without legislation. There have been numerous attempts to pass a law legalizing fantasy sports, but California's gambling powers haven't been able to agree on regulations. Until that happens, unregulated DFS contests will continue in the state because they're considered games of skill.

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Yes. Where legal, the Super Bowl is one of the most popular sporting events to bet on in the world, if not the most popular.
A hedge is a method to reduce risk and secure winnings for a specified bet.
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Vig, or vigorish, is the cut or amount charged by a sportsbook for taking a bet, also known as juice.
Yes. Tennessee sports betting was legalized in 2019 and launched in 2020.
Yes. Sports betting is legal in North Carolina, but it will be fully operational on March 11, 2024, with pre-registration beginning on March 1, 2024.
Pennsylvania passed legislation to allow sports betting in 2017 and sportsbooks began taking bets in 2019.
Yes. Indiana passed a bill to allow sports betting in 2019 and wagering started in October with online betting opening a couple months later.
Yes, sports betting is legal in the state of Ohio.
Yes. Sports betting is legal and regulated in Arizona as of football season in 2021.
Yes. Pennsylvania passed legislation to allow sports betting in 2017 and sportsbooks began taking bets in 2019.
Yes. Michigan passed legislation to allow sports betting in December 2019 and the first physical sportsbooks opened in March 2020.
Yes, sports betting is live in Massachusetts.
Yes, sports betting is legal in Maryland. It launched on November 23, 2022.
Sports betting is legal in Ohio, and takes bets as of January 1, 2023.
Yes. Sports betting is legal in Virginia and residents began betting via FanDuel in January 2021.
NFL Week 1 odds came out on all the best sportsbooks following the release of the 2024-25 NFL schedule in May.
Yes. Colorado legalized in-person and mobile sports betting in November 2019.
Yes. New Jersey was one of the first states to legalize sports betting and online wagering after the 2018 Supreme Court decision.
Yes, FanDuel pays out real money. Whether you use the DFS portion of the website, sportsbook, or online casino, you will be paid out in real money.
Yes. Illinois passed sports betting legislature in 2019 and launched at legal sportsbooks in March 2020.
Yes. Sports betting can be a career if you make it your full-time job and put in the hours.
Bonus bets in sports betting are often connected to deposits and are also referred to as bonuses.
The plus (+) and minus (-) in sports betting can refer to either the point spread or betting odds.