Online Poker in California – Best CA Poker Sites for December 2024
Online poker in California is booming and there are several key reasons for it. From instant access and large welcome bonuses to soft games and fast withdrawals, CA online poker rooms represent the best way to play the game. Discover the best online poker sites in the Golden State, offering different types of poker games, multi-million prizepools, generous rakeback rates, and more.
| No 1 Crypto Poker |
CoinPoker |
150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000 - BONUS CODE: PSCOUT |
150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000 - BONUS CODE: PSCOUT
|
CoinPoker
|
PLAY NOW |
| Jackpot SNG |
Ignition |
150% up to $1,500 Crypto Poker Bonus |
150% up to $1,500 Crypto Poker Bonus
|
Ignition
|
PLAY NOW |
| Play Hi-Lo Stud |
Americas Card Room |
100% up to $2,000 |
100% up to $2,000
|
Americas Card Room
|
PLAY NOW |
| WSOP Qualifiers |
Black Chip Poker |
100% up to $2,000 Welcome Offer |
100% up to $2,000 Welcome Offer
|
Black Chip Poker
|
PLAY NOW |
| Bad Beat Jackpot 2.0 |
BetOnline |
100% UP TO $1,000 + 21 Satellite Tickets With code: POKER1000 |
100% UP TO $1,000 + 21 Satellite Tickets With code: POKER1000
|
BetOnline
|
PLAY NOW |
| Play Zone Poker |
Bovada |
100% up to $500 With Code: PWB500 |
100% up to $500 With Code: PWB500
|
Bovada
|
PLAY NOW |
| Play 7 Card Stud |
Ya Poker |
Poker Bonus of 100% up to $2,000 |
Poker Bonus of 100% up to $2,000
|
Ya Poker
|
PLAY NOW |
California Poker Sites Ranked by Traffic
| Poker Site | 7 Day avg | Online | Cash | 24 H Peak | Last Week | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGNetwork | 10000 | 639996 | 11664 | 13226 | ||
| PokerStars | 1900 | 55540 | 1063 | 3158 | ||
| iPoker | 1600 | 7032 | 1982 | 3008 | ||
| IDNPoker | 1500 | 7685 | 1521 | 1521 | ||
| PaiWangLuo (Bodog) | 900 | 1600 | ||||
| Pokerdom | 700 | 4970 | 1103 | 1190 | ||
| PartyPoker | 575 | 591 | 1120 | |||
| Unibet | 450 | 800 | ||||
| Chico Poker | 425 | 3056 | 480 | 736 | ||
| PokerKlas | 280 | 510 | ||||
| Stretch | 110 | 1358 | 187 | 189 | ||
| SkyPoker | 95 | 210 | ||||
| PokerMatch | 85 | 740 | 110 | 197 | ||
| CoinPoker | 55 | 895 | 62 | 62 | Play Now | |
| Europebet | 40 | 333 | 95 | 98 | ||
| SwC Poker | 28 | 175 | 27 | 46 | ||
| MobilePokerClub | 20 | 55 | ||||
| Adjarabet | 10 | 25 | ||||
| Merge Gaming | 10 | 20 | ||||
| Silver Sands | 9 | 30 | ||||
| Aconcagua Poker | 2 | |||||
| Betcoin Poker | ||||||
| Blockchain Poker | 66 | |||||
| Cubeia | ||||||
| First Fidelity | ||||||
| GamblerGames | ||||||
| Grand Poker | ||||||
| NoLimitCoin Poker | ||||||
| PokerMIRA | ||||||
| Pokio | 3039 | |||||
| Wwin |
Reviews of CA Online Poker Rooms for 2024
What are the best online poker sites in California? Having anted up at plenty of US poker sites over the last 15 years, we certainly know how to distinguish between good and top-tier platforms. The following five are among the best in the Golden State for many reasons.
1. CoinPoker – Best Overall Online Poker Site in California
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | Curaçao eGaming | Within 24 hours |
Overview
- Poker Games Variety 9/10 – CoinPoker has a strong line-up of Omaha games, including 5 Card games. Of course, it also offers loads of Texas Hold’em games. However, we’d like to see a few more variants for Stud and Draw poker.
- Poker Tournaments 9/10 – You’ll never be short of MTT action with daily freerolls and $600,000 in Sunday guarantees. In addition, there’s a healthy mix of buy in levels to suit every budget. For example, its Sunday specials include a $200K GTD Hold’em event with a $5K buy in.
- Traffic and Player Base 9/10 – Other CA poker sites have more traffic, but the fact that it’s an independent platform is a huge positive. The competition is quite soft, especially now with the addition of a casino and a sportsbook on the same platform.
- Software Quality 10/10 – It’s a crypto-only platform that uses cutting-edge blockchain technology to ensure its games are fair, transactions are anonymous, and payments are processed instantly.
- Betting Limits and Payments 10/10 – Games start at $1 and CoinPoker exclusively allows crypto payments in BTC, USDT, and other popular tokens. It also has a dedicated token (CHP) that allows players to unlock special bonuses. This makes it one of the best sites for online poker for real money in California since transactions are generally instant.
- Mobile Friendliness 9/10 – You can download the CoinPoker app on Android, iOS, and Windows devices. While it doesn’t have an instant play version, the real money poker app for California is perfect if you want to play on the go.
Our Verdict
We like playing on CoinPoker for two reasons: cash games (including heads-up and 4-max PLO cash games) and 33% rakeback.
If you’re not a fan of PLO, don’t worry. CoinPoker has plenty of Hold’em games, including daily freerolls and MTTs with $100,000 prizepools.
If that’s not enough, this innovative platform accepts crypto payments, and its RNG (random number generator) is powered by cutting-edge blockchain technology. As a result, it has fair shuffling and secure banking.
Furthermore, you can find yourself seated at the same table as legendary poker player, Tony G which makes for a great experience.
Overall, CoinPoker is one of the best sites to join for online poker California, and you can read more about the platform with our detailed CoinPoker review.
Pros
- 33% rakeback for online poker CA
- Great for Omaha cash games
- Anonymous software and sign-up
- Uses blockchain technology
Cons
- No Stud or Draw Games
- Only accepts crypto
- Anonymous poker with easy registration
- Get 33% rakeback every Monday
- Free from deposit & withdrawal fees on cryptocurrencies
2. Ignition Poker – Best California Online Poker Room for Beginners
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| PaiWangLuo Poker | Anjouan Gaming Board | Within 48 hours |
Overview
- Poker Games Variety 8.5/10 – With the lack of Draw games and limited cash game action above $1/$2, Ignition’s offering of poker games could be improved in the future. The good news is that it has plenty of low-stakes Hold’em and Omaha games.
- Poker Tournaments 9/10 – You will find weak players and $2 million in weekly MTT guarantees, providing great opportunities to win big. Ignition Poker California also adds exclusive series throughout the year for even more action.
- Traffic and Player Base 10/10 – A steady stream of casino players makes this a great site for soft games. Casino players aren’t particularly adept at playing poker, so there are a lot of potentially profitable spots in low and mid-stakes games.
- Software Quality 9/10 – Although the design isn’t great, Ignition’s software is safe and reliable for online poker in California. The desktop and mobile versions are very similar, with clean visuals and a unique multi-tabling view.
- Betting Limits and Payments 8/10 – The variety of fiat and crypto payments – BTC, ETH, debit and credit cards, etc. – makes it easy to play juicy low-stakes games. Depending on your chosen payment method, the withdrawal limit ranges from $1,000 (bank transfer) to $9,500 (BTC and BSV).
- Mobile Friendliness 8/10 – Ignition needs a mobile app to get top marks, but the optimized mobile site is still efficient for playing on the go.
Our Verdict
Ignition is one of the best online poker sites for California players who are new to the game as many migrate over from the casino side. It has anonymous tables along with quick seating to prevent any sharks from targeting weak players.
If you want to play for $2 million in weekly MTT guarantees, join loose tables, and compete against fishy players, take a seat at Ignition Poker CA.
Pros
- Juicy games for online poker in CA
- $2 million in tournament guarantees
- Tons of freerolls every month
- Anonymous cash game tables
Cons
- Weekly withdrawals are capped
- Could offer Draw poker
- Reward store with bonuses and tickets
- Quick and easy seating at cash game tables
- Easy to use poker hand history
3. ACR Poker – Best California Poker Site for Tournaments
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Winning Poker Network (WPN) | Curaçao Gaming Control Board | Within 48 hours |
Overview
- Poker Games Variety 9/10 – The fact that ACR offers Stud alongside Hold’em and Omaha means it has more variety than most poker rooms in California.
- Poker Tournaments 10/10 – This is one of the best online poker sites in California for tournaments, starting with a weekly guaranteed prizepool of $10.7 million (increased by 13% in 2024).
- Traffic and Player Base 9/10 – ACR is an industry veteran that’s available in multiple countries, meaning it has a large playerpool. It is the flagship poker site on the Winning Poker Network, which is available globally and is not limited to California online poker.
- Software Quality 8.5/10 – Although the platform is packed with exciting features, ACR has longer maintenance periods than other online poker CA sites. With that being said, this will likely not affect most players that much.
- Betting Limits and Payments 9/10 – A 37% increase in low-stakes MTTs shows that ACR is suitable for all online poker players in California. Blinds start from $0.01/$0.02 and can go up quite a bit.
- Mobile Friendliness 9/10 – The Android app is responsive and well-designed. We hope to see an iOS app in the future for online poker California. But until then users can settle for the optimized site.
Our Verdict
This is the place to play online poker tournaments in California, regardless of whether you’re a newbie, grinder, or high roller.
The cherry on top of ACR’s tournament schedule is The Venom $12.5 Million GTD. This annual series has multiple tournaments with seven-figure prizepools, including a record-breaking main event with lucrative payouts.
Pros
- Record-breaking tournaments
- Crypto and fiat payments in CA
- Plenty of cash games at any time
- Slick Android app and mobile browser
Cons
- Doesn’t have an iOS app
- Software can be prone to glitches
- WPN network with solid player base
- Blitz poker for speed and convenience
- Seven card stud poker available
4. Black Chip Poker – Top CA Online Poker Site for Cash Games
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Winning Poker Network (WPN) | Curaçao Gaming Control Board | Within 48 hours |
Overview
- Poker Games Variety 9/10 – Being able to play Stud is a great feature because a lot of California online poker sites do not offer this variant. Games start at $0.01/$0.02, and you’ll have plenty of Hold’em games to choose from up to $2/$4.
- Poker Tournaments 10/10 – With freerolls, huge guarantees, and low-cost satellites for multi-million-dollar MTTs, it’s hard not to rank it as one of the best tournament sites for online poker in California.
- Traffic and Player Base 9/10 – The Winning Poker Network is one of the largest in the world, so there are always plenty of games at all stakes.
- Software Quality 8.5/10 – The site design is uncomplicated so you should be able to navigate the platform easily, and the action is very good.
- Betting Limits and Payments 8/10 – One of Black Chip Poker’s stand-out features is the freedom to make deposits and withdrawals in major cryptocurrencies.
- Mobile Friendliness 9/10 – Like ACR, Black Chip is lacking an iOS app. Nonetheless, it offers an Android option and you can still access the platform via a web browser site.
Our Verdict
Black Chip Poker shares a network with ACR, so its tournament schedule is exceptional. However, we feel that the cash games are underrated.
There are plenty of fishy players, and the fact you can ante-up in Stud games means there’s plenty of action for everyone.
Pros
- Tons of satellites, including WSOP qualifiers
- Accepts cryptocurrencies for banking
- 27% rakeback rate for CA online poker
- Offers Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud
Cons
- Not much high-stakes action
- Design is quite basic
- Play with other US poker players from all non-regulated states
- Winning poker network
- Seven card stud and 5 table PLO available
5. BetOnline Poker – Best Poker Site in California for Fun Features
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Chico Poker | Panama Gaming Commission | Within 48 hours |
Overview
- Poker Games Variety 9.5/10 – BetOnline Poker CA has Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha 5, Omaha 6, and Open Face Chinese Poker games. Of course, the cash games are great, but don’t sleep on the SNGs at this California online poker site.
- Poker Tournaments 10/10 – You can play daily freerolls and get free tickets for $100,000 guaranteed tournaments, including the Sunday Showdown.
- Traffic and Player Base 8/10 – There’s always a steady stream of players anteing up, thanks to BetOnline’s popular sportsbook. This also means that there are lots of novice players at the tables so you can practice your skills in a safe environment.
- Software Quality 10/10 – Reliability and a variety of fun features make this one of the best platforms for online poker California.
- Betting Limits and Payments 9/10 – You can play for all kinds of stakes, starting from $0.02/$0.05, thanks to fiat and crypto payment methods.
- Mobile Friendliness 9/10 – Scan a QR code, tap to install the app, and BetOnline is easily accessible on iOS and Android devices.
Our Verdict
This California online poker site does the basics well with its safe software, plenty of MTTs with big prizes, and VIP rewards as you play.
Its cash games can be a grind, so adding Bad Beat jackpots, straddles, and all-in cashouts to the mix makes them much more exciting. These are fun features that you won’t find on many poker rooms in California.
As this is an offshore regulated platform, you need to acquire a VPN and set your location to another state in order to access the poker site and join any tournaments.
Pros
- Weekly MTT payouts topping $3 million
- Plenty of free ticket promos
- VIP rewards for active players
- Fun cash game features
Cons
- You may need to use a VPN
- Bonus terms could be better
- Fast seating with Boost for zero waiting time
- Huge tournaments like Sunday Million and PKO's
- Solid traffic on Chico Poker Network
Green Flags at California Poker Rooms: How to Find the Right Site
To help you get maximum value each time you play online poker for real money in California, here are five green flags to look for:
A gambling license from a reputable organization, such as Curaçao eGaming, is the biggest green flag.
Gambling licenses are markers of quality and safety because operators have to prove their software is reliable, encrypted, and fair. All of the best online poker rooms in California are fully licensed and properly regulated.
There are hundreds of great sites for online poker in California that offer similar products. That’s why we gravitate towards sites that do something different.
It is more exciting to see the developers striving to innovate rather than offering generic products.
BetOnline is one of the best online poker sites for California grinders who want something extra.
In addition to a bad beat jackpot with $100,000+ payouts, you can straddle in cash games (make extra pre-flop bets), and take a form of all-in insurance.
Another green flag when it comes to finding the right online poker CA site is its promotions. Specifically, we favor poker sites that give you ways to earn extra credits.
Welcome bonuses set the tone, but we urge you to pay attention to ongoing poker bonuses, such as free tournament tickets, rakeback, and VIP rewards.
You should also check the operator’s bonus terms. Offers can look great on the surface but crumble when you discover it takes a lot of effort to release them.
An easy green flag to assess is the number of players using a poker site or network. You can check the traffic stats for online poker sites around the world here at PokerScout.
These numbers tell you how many active cash game and tournament players there are over different periods.
The best poker sites have a steady stream of players. The more traffic a California online poker site has, the more chances you’ve got of finding juicy games.
Game integrity affects us all. If players are cheating, games aren’t fair, or people are playing irresponsibly, it disrupts the entire ecosystem.
That’s why you should only use online poker rooms in California that commit to game integrity. CoinPoker is a great example. In addition to responsible gaming tools, such as deposit limits, the software is powered by blockchain technology.
This means the results of every hand are not only random but available to review on a public ledger. When you combine this technology with fraud detection software, you’ve got a site that works to keep poker safe for everyone.
Popular California Online Poker Games
The first step to learning how to play online poker in California is understanding the main variants. Below, you can grasp the basic rules and some favorite strategy tips for Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud.
The observant among you will notice that we didn’t mention Draw. That’s because the best sites for online poker California don’t currently offer Draw, and we’ll focus on the games you can play.
Texas Hold’em
Go to any live poker event, including the WSOP, and Hold’em will be the dominant format. It’s used for all of the biggest tournaments in poker, and the majority of cash games at California poker sites are Hold’em.
- Formats: Cash games and tournaments
- Table sizes: 2, 4, 6, and 9 players per table
- Betting options: Limit, Pot Limit, No Limit
- Number of hole cards per player: 2
- Number of community cards: 5
- Aim: To win pots uncontested or have the best five-card hand using 1, 2, or neither of your hole cards.
Top Tips
Play tight and aggressive. This means entering pots with a fairly limited range of hands (pairs, suited connectors, and aces with big kickers, eg jacks, queens, and kings).
Try taking the lead in hands whenever possible by betting and raising. Then, if you connect with the board in any meaningful way, bet aggressively to extract maximum value from weak players who call too much.
Best CA Online Poker Site for Hold’em: ACR Poker
Omaha
Omaha is a poker variant where you get four hole cards. It is available on all of the top Californian poker sites. The extra cards create more action, which is particularly enjoyable if you’re playing deep-stack cash games.
- Formats: Cash games and tournaments
- Table sizes: 2, 4, 6, and 9 players per table
- Betting options: Pot Limit and No Limit
- Number of hole cards per player: 4
- Number of community cards: 5
- Aim: To win pots uncontested or have the best five-card hand using 2 hole cards.
Top Tips
You have to use two of your four hole cards in Omaha, so make sure they’re all connected in some way.
For example, 7♦ 8♦ 9♠ 10♠ is a strong starting hand because all the cards are closely connected. This gives you the best chance of connecting with the board and making strong hands.
Best CA Online Poker Site for Omaha: CoinPoker
Stud
Unlike Hold’em and Omaha, there are no community cards in Stud. This means you should base a lot of decisions on the cards you’re holding.
Observing others is also important in 7 Card Stud.
- Formats: Cash games and tournaments
- Table sizes: Between 2 and 8 players
- Betting options: Limit and Pot Limit
- Number of hole cards per player: 7
- Number of community cards: None
- Aim: To win pots uncontested or have the best five-card hand
Top Tips
Everyone starts with three cards in Stud. Two are face-down, and one is face-up. Take note of the face-up cards because they offer clues as to what people might have.
For example, if someone has a 6, it’s likely that their hidden cards contain another 6 or something like 3 and 4 (so they’re aiming to make a straight).
Best CA Online Poker Site for Stud: Black Chip Poker
Freerolls
You can enjoy the best online poker in California without spending a cent. How? By playing tournaments known as freerolls.
Freerolls that cost exactly zero dollars to enter. What’s neat about freerolls is that the top finishers win cash prizes. However, with freerolls, they typically have small prize pools.
Our one tip for freerolls is to play tight. The fields are large, so you’ll need to dodge a lot of bullets.
CoinPoker has plenty of daily freerolls for online poker in CA, as do ACR and Black Chip.
Poker Variations at California Online Poker Rooms
Here’s a quick overview of the ways you can play online poker with real money in California:
| Online Poker Sites | Free-to-Play Poker | Texas Hold'em | Omaha | Stud | Fast-Fold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Ignition Poker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| ACR Poker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Black Chip Poker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BetOnline | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
How to Play Online Poker in California
It is very easy to get started thanks to the top sites. Here is how you can play online poker in California, using CoinPoker as an example.
The steps below will take you from this guide to a “Cashier” page and, eventually, the tables of your chosen CA poker site:
- Follow our secure link and tap “Register” on the homepage.
- Complete the registration process and log into your account.
- Tap the wallet icon to open the “Cashier” page.
- Select a cryptocurrency, such as USDT or BTC.
- Copy the CoinPoker wallet address, then open your own wallet.
- Send coins to your CoinPoker wallet, then go to the games lobby.
- Use the “Games,” “Buy-In,” and “Seats” filters to find the right table.
- Open a table and use the settings menu to adjust the layout, colors, and cards.
California Online Poker Bonuses to Claim
It would be ideal to win every time you play online poker for real money in California. However, this isn’t always the case.
The following bonuses can help offset the impact of negative variance and give you a bankroll boost when results are going your way:
The best sites for online poker California welcome you with a bundle of rewards, including bonus credits and tournament tickets.
Some welcome offers, known as no deposit bonuses, are released the instant you complete the registration process.
The majority of welcome bonuses at the best online poker sites for California players are deposit-based and come in two forms:
- Deposit Match Welcome Bonuses: The amount you deposit determines the value of your bonus. For example, you get a $200 bonus when you deposit $200. Also, the value of this bonus type is released slowly over time via the buy in volume.
- Deposit Multiplier Welcome Bonuses: The amount you receive is determined by the size of your deposit + a multiplier, eg depositing $100 using a 150% multiplier (i.e., 1.5x) gets you a $150 bonus.
One final thing to note is that existing customers also have access to deposit bonuses. However, these promotions aren’t as lucrative as welcome bonuses.
Poker tournaments in California cost money to enter unless you’ve got a special offer. Free tournament tickets are what you’d expect them to be.
You complete a task, such as paying a certain amount in rake, to receive a ticket. That ticket gives you entry to popular online poker tournaments in California and, more importantly, a free shot at winning cash prizes.
Money is deducted from every cash game pot you play (if it goes to the flop) and tournament you enter. These deductions are known as rake – as a note, online rake is usually much better than live rake in poker rooms in California.
The best CA online poker sites keep these deductions as small as possible, but rake is a natural part of the game. That’s why we love poker sites that return some of this money in the form of rakeback.
For example, you’ll get 33% weekly rakeback at CoinPoker. So, let’s say you pay $1,000 in rake. 33% of that ($333) is credited back to your account in cash.
If you can’t get rakeback when you play online poker in California, make sure you get VIP rewards.
The fundamental premise that underpins VIP programs is rake for points. You earn points based on the amount of rake you pay. These points determine your VIP status and unlock a selection of rewards that increase in value.
BetOnline is one of the best online poker sites in California for VIP rewards because you can earn tournament tickets, bonus credits, and entry to exclusive freerolls.
What is the Best Payment Method for Online Poker in California?
The easiest way to make deposits and withdrawals when you’re playing online poker with real money in California is through cryptocurrency transfers.
Fiat payments are possible, but US gambling regulations make these types of payments problematic. Put simply, traditional methods, such as Visa and MasterCard, can sometimes be rejected by banks.
If you want to avoid failed transactions, it pays to use different methods. ewallets, such as Skrill, offer instant deposits and withdrawals that take less than 48 hours. However, if you want guaranteed success rates, crypto is best.
Cryptocurrencies
CoinPoker has been fully crypto since its inception, which is why it is rated as our best California online poker room for payments. That being said, our other crypto poker sites also accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether (USDT), and other tokens.
Another benefit to crypto payments, other than instant deposits and withdrawals, is anonymity. Crypto transfers require two pieces of information: the number of tokens to be transferred and a wallet address.
You don’t need to provide any personal details, so your identity is shielded at all times. That’s ideal for anyone wanting to play poker online for real money in California.
Are There Real Money Poker Apps in California?
Yes, the best online poker sites for California players are available in all settings. Some poker sites in California don’t have associated apps.
Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you can’t play via your mobile. Ignition Poker, for example, has an optimized instant-play browser-based site for mobiles.
You can also download real money online poker apps in California. CoinPoker, BetOnline, ACR, and Black Chip Poker can all be installed on mobile devices and considered top poker apps.
ACR and Black Chip Poker have Android apps, while CoinPoker and BetOnline have iOS and Android apps.
Poker in California – Is it Legal?
Is online poker legal in California? Yes, but there are some important legal nuances to consider when it comes to the California poker online market.
There have been concerted efforts to legalize online poker in California over the last decade, but none have been voted into law due to existing gambling interests.
As it stands, Tribes in California have a monopoly on gambling in the state, and they’re reluctant to relinquish control. This dynamic has hindered attempts to regulate online poker.
Even though regulations haven’t come to pass, California gambling laws don’t prohibit online poker. Thus, it’s not illegal to use the best legal online poker sites in California.
When Will Online Poker Be Legal in California?
There is no clear timeline for when, or, indeed, if online poker will be legalized in California.
The positive, however, is that the status quo means local poker players can access offshore sites, such as CoinPoker.
Can You Play Online Poker in California for Real Money?
Yes, you can play online poker for real money in California using licensed offshore sites.
Neither Californian nor federal gambling laws explicitly outlaw online poker. UIGEA, a federal law, only prohibits US banks from processing online gambling payments.
Therefore, if you can make payments, you can play poker online in California. That’s where licensed offshore sites fill the void.
The best legal online poker sites in California allow you to make deposits using a variety of legitimate methods, including cryptocurrencies.
Are Poker Winnings Taxable in California?
California gambling laws don’t contain provisions for online poker, which means winnings aren’t taxable.
Also, US tax authorities don’t have jurisdiction overseas, which means offshore poker sites aren’t required to report player activity to the IRS.
Best Poker Tournaments in California
There are plenty of online poker tournaments in California, but are there any options for people who want to get out and play live?
California casinos are often where some of the leading poker professionals get their start. The state has dozens of live poker rooms, including the Commerce Casino in LA with 40+ tables.
Some of the best places to play weekly live poker tournaments in California are:
- The Commerce Casino
- Hustler Casino
- Hollywood Park
- The Bicycle Casino
- Golden West Casino
- Ocean’s 11 Casino
- Morongo Casino
- Pala Casino Spa Resort
- Lucky Lady Casino
If you’ve got aspirations of playing for multi-million-dollar prizepools, there are plenty of major poker tournaments in California.
The California State Poker Championship at the Commerce Casino is always fun. The action gets underway in mid-April and runs for four weeks. Buy-ins start at $200, and the $1,250 main event almost always beats its $250,000 guarantee.
The World Poker Tour (WPT) bandwagon also rolls into town at various times throughout the year. In addition to WPT Regional tournaments, you can enter the WPT Rolling Thunder main event at Thunder Valley Casino Resort.
Finally, if you want to win some bling in the form of WSOP Circuit rings, the popular tour visits a variety of casinos in California, including the Commerce and Thunder Valley.
All of these tournaments are in addition to the plethora of MTTs you can play at the best sites for online poker in California.
Poker in Other States
Online poker is popular across the US, but some states are better than others.
New Jersey, Nevada, and other states with their own poker laws play host to safe cash games and tournaments. However, these poker sites trail their offshore counterparts when it comes to action and added value.
Popular California online poker sites such as ACR and BetOnline have more players than their state-regulated counterparts. More players generate more action, which leads to bigger bonuses and larger tournament prizepools.
That’s why states such as California, Texas, and Florida are better for online poker than other places in the US.
Play Online Poker in California – Key Takeaways
California poker sites are not only legal but offer great games, big bonuses, and slick software.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete newbie or a seasoned grinder looking for new places to play, here’s why you should play poker online for real money in California:
- The best sites offer soft cash games and $1 million+ tournament prizes.
- Safe, anonymous, and guaranteed payments.
- Innovative software and features you can enjoy on any device.
FAQs – Play Poker Online in California for Real Money
What is the best online poker site in California?
Is online poker legal in California?
Can I play online poker in California with a VPN?
Is live poker legal in California?
How old must I be to play poker in CA?
References
- https://www.curacao-egaming.com/ (Curaçao eGaming)
- https://academy.binance.com/en/articles/crypto-payments-explained (How Crypto Payments Work)
- https://www.ibm.com/topics/blockchain (What is a Blockchain)
- https://www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2010/fil10035a.pdf (UIGEA)