Best California (CA) Online Poker Sites for 2025
Online poker in California is booming and there are several key reasons for it. First of all, this is a state with more than 100 poker rooms between its borders, so the game is definitely popular among residents. Secondly, the regulations don’t allow for any locally licensed brands, so offshore websites are the way to go.
And the best part is that you don’t have to dig for long to find online poker rooms in the Golden State. These offer different types of games, multi-million prizepools, generous rakeback rates, and more.
| No 1 Poker Site |
CoinPoker |
150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000 BONUS CODE: PSCOUT |
150% Welcome Bonus up to $2,000 BONUS CODE: PSCOUT
|
Cash Games
Fixed Limit
Jackpot Poker
MTT
+ 3 more
|
PLAY NOW |
$10 minimum deposit. Bonus is released in installments of 10% when minimum rake requirements are met (twice the bonus amount in rake). For new players and first deposits only.
$10 minimum deposit. Bonus is released in installments of 10% when minimum rake requirements are met (twice the bonus amount in rake). For new players and first deposits only. |
|
| WSOP Qualifiers |
Black Chip Poker |
100% up to $2,000 Welcome Offer |
100% up to $2,000 Welcome Offer
|
7 Card Stud
Cash Games
Fast Fold Poker
Fixed Limit
+ 5 more
|
PLAY NOW |
$25 minimum deposit. $1 of bonus funds is converted to cash for every 27.5 Benefit Points earned. For new players and first deposits only.
$25 minimum deposit. $1 of bonus funds is converted to cash for every 27.5 Benefit Points earned. For new players and first deposits only. |
|
| Play Zone Poker |
Bovada |
100% up to $500 |
100% up to $500
|
Anon. Tables
Cash Games
Fast Fold Poker
Fixed Limit
+ 5 more
|
PLAY NOW |
Bonus released in $5 increments for every 150 Reward Points. 30-day time limit to earn bonus cash.
Bonus released in $5 increments for every 150 Reward Points. 30-day time limit to earn bonus cash. |
|
| Play Hi-Lo Stud |
Americas Card Room |
100% up to $2,000 |
100% up to $2,000
|
7 Card Stud
Cash Games
Fast Fold Poker
Fixed Limit
+ 7 more
|
PLAY NOW |
Bonus released in $5 increments for every 27.5 Award Points generated. For new players and first deposits only.
Bonus released in $5 increments for every 27.5 Award Points generated. For new players and first deposits only. |
|
| 36% Rakeback |
Juicy Stakes |
200% Up To $1,000 |
200% Up To $1,000
|
PLAY NOW |
$5 of bonus released for every 83.335 Frequent Player Points earned. 90 days to meet bonus requirements and redeem full amount.
$5 of bonus released for every 83.335 Frequent Player Points earned. 90 days to meet bonus requirements and redeem full amount. |
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- 1. CoinPoker - Best Overall Online Poker Site in California
- 2. Ignition Poker - Best Online Poker Room in California for Beginners
- 3. ACR Poker - Top Poker Site for Playing in Tournaments in California
- 4. Black Chip Poker - Top CA Online Poker Site for Cash Games
- 5. BetOnline Poker - Best Poker Site in California for Fun Features
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- 1. CoinPoker - Best Overall Online Poker Site in California
- 2. Ignition Poker - Best Online Poker Room in California for Beginners
- 3. ACR Poker - Top Poker Site for Playing in Tournaments in California
- 4. Black Chip Poker - Top CA Online Poker Site for Cash Games
- 5. BetOnline Poker - Best Poker Site in California for Fun Features
- Show Full Guide
California Poker Sites Ranked by Traffic
| Poker Site | 7 Day avg | Online | Cash | 24 H Peak | Last Week | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGNetwork | 12000 | 295217 | 15069 | 16262 | ||
| PokerStars | 2400 | 55540 | 1557 | 1557 | ||
| iPoker | 1500 | 4063 | 1664 | 2854 | ||
| IDNPoker | 1500 | 10480 | 2464 | 2570 | ||
| PaiWangLuo (Bodog) | 900 | 1600 | ||||
| Pokerdom | 700 | 4075 | 829 | 1172 | ||
| PartyPoker | 550 | 562 | 1020 | |||
| Unibet | 450 | 800 | ||||
| Chico Poker | 450 | 1553 | 264 | 722 | ||
| PokerKlas | 280 | 510 | ||||
| Stretch | 100 | 993 | 154 | 248 | ||
| SkyPoker | 95 | 210 | ||||
| PokerMatch | 85 | 425 | 62 | 151 | ||
| Europebet | 40 | 331 | 78 | 114 | ||
| SwC Poker | 26 | 144 | 36 | 43 | ||
| 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 2025
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. Learn more about five picks from the following reviews.
1. CoinPoker – Best Overall Online Poker Site in California
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority | Within 24 hours |
Overview
- Games Variety 9.5/10 – CoinPoker offers many Omaha games, including 5 Card options. Of course, it also has loads of Texas Hold’em tables and tournaments. However, we’d like to see a few more variants for Stud and Draw poker for real money in California.
- Tournaments 10/10 – 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 10/10 – Other sites in CA 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 with $0.01/$0.02 blinds. 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.
- Mobile Friendliness 10/10 – 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 allows you to play from anywhere in California.
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. It 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 from anywhere.
You can read more about the platform with our detailed CoinPoker review.
Pros
- 33% rakeback for online poker in CA
- Great for Omaha cash games
- Anonymous software and sign-up
- Uses blockchain technology
Cons
- No Stud or Draw Games
- Only accepts crypto
2. Ignition Poker – Best Online Poker Room in California for Beginners
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| PaiWangLuo Poker | Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority | Within 48 hours |
Overview
- Games Variety 9/10 – With the lack of Draw games and limited cash game action above $1/$2, Ignition can improve its poker game offerings. The good news is that it has plenty of low-stakes Hold’em and Omaha tables.
- Tournaments 9.5/10 – You will find weak players and $2 million in weekly MTT guarantees, providing great opportunities to win big. It 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 users aren’t particularly adept at playing poker, so there are a lot of potentially profitable spots in low and mid-stakes games.
- Software Quality 9.5/10 – Although the design isn’t great, the software is safe and reliable for playing 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 10/10 – The variety of fiat and crypto payments – BTC, ETH, debit and credit cards – 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 10/10 – The optimized mobile site is efficient for playing on the go. You can simply connect on the site to join tables at any time without having to download and install an app.
Our Verdict
Ignition is a trusted poker site for players located in California and are new to the game. 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, you can take a seat right now.
Pros
- Juicy games with soft competition
- $2 million in tournament guarantees
- Tons of freerolls every month
- Anonymous cash game tables
Cons
- Weekly withdrawals are capped
- Could offer Draw poker
3. ACR Poker – Top Poker Site for Playing in Tournaments in California
| Poker Network | License | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Winning Poker Network (WPN) | Curaçao Gaming Control Board | Within 48 hours |
Overview
- Games Variety 10/10 – The fact that ACR offers Stud alongside Hold’em and Omaha means it has more variety than most poker rooms located in California.
- Tournaments 10/10 – The schedule for tournaments is very busy, starting with a weekly guaranteed prizepool of $10.7 million (increased by 13% in 2024). This includes quite a few daily freerolls and some massive weekly events.
- Traffic and Player Base 10/10 – ACR is an industry veteran that’s available in multiple countries, meaning it has a large playerpool. It is the flagship site on the Winning Poker Network, which is available globally and is not limited to California’s state borders.
- Software Quality 9.5/10 – Although the platform is packed with exciting features, the site sometimes has longer maintenance periods than other platforms. 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 it is suitable for all players. Blinds start from $0.01/$0.02 and can go up quite a bit.
- Mobile Friendliness 9.5/10 – The app is responsive and well-designed, now available for both Android and iOS. There is also a optimized mobile site that allows you to play on the go.
Our Verdict
This is the place to play tournaments, regardless of whether you’re a newbie, grinder, or high roller.
The highlight of ACR’s 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 poker app and mobile browser
Cons
- Not the best-looking design
- Software can be prone to glitches
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
- Games Variety 9/10 – Being able to play Stud is a great feature because a lot of sites do not offer this variant. You’ll have plenty of Hold’em and Omaha games to choose as well and blinds start at $0.01/$0.02.
- Tournaments 10/10 – Freerolls, big guarantees, and low-cost satellites make it a great site. It even has events that can compete with some of the large tournaments in California.
- Traffic and Player Base 10/10 – The Winning Poker Network is one of the largest in the world, so there are always plenty of games at all stakes. Traffic is solid and the player base is made out of beginners at the lower stakes, with some pros appearing on high stakes poker tables.
- Software Quality 9.5/10 – 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 9/10 – One of the stand-out features is the freedom to make deposits and withdrawals in major cryptocurrencies. Processing for payouts can take up to 48 hours, which is about the standard.
- Mobile Friendliness 9.5/10 – Like ACR, Black Chip has a mobile app that is available for free on iOS and Android devices.
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 online poker
- Offers Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud
Cons
- Not much high-stakes action
- Design is quite basic
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
- Games Variety 9.5/10 – It 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 either.
- Tournaments 10/10 – You can play daily freerolls and get free tickets for $100,000 guaranteed tournaments, including the Sunday Showdown. It ranks well for tournaments across all stakes.
- Traffic and Player Base 9/10 – There’s always a steady stream of players anteing up, thanks to the 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 within 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 10/10 – Scan a QR code, tap to install the app, and BetOnline is easily accessible on iOS and Android devices.
Our Verdict
This 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 CA.
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
Green Flags at California Poker Rooms: How to Find the Right Site
To help you get maximum value each time you play, here are five green flags to look for:
Popular Online Poker Games in California
The first step to learning how to play online poker 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 there aren’t many sites that offer Draw, and we’ll focus on the games available.
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 and for the majority of cash games online.
- 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 strongest five-card hand using one, two, or neither of your hole cards.
A quick Texas Hold’em strategy is to play tight and aggressive. This means entering pots with a fairly limited range of hands (pairs, suited connectors, and aces with big kickers, like 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 featured sites. The extra cards create more action, which is particularly enjoyable if you’re playing deep-stack cash games on PLO poker sites.
- 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 highest-ranking five-card hand using two hole cards.
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.
Top CA Online Poker Site for Omaha: CoinPoker
Stud
Although the popularity of Stud poker has gone down in recent years, you can play it on some sites. 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: 3
- Number of community cards: None
- Aim: To win pots uncontested or have the best five-card hand.
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
Poker Variations at Californian Online Poker Rooms
Here’s a quick overview of the available games on the recommended sites:
| Poker Sites | Texas Hold'em | Omaha | Stud | Fast-Fold Poker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoinPoker | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Black Chip Poker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Bovada | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| ACR | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Juicy Stakes | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Ya Poker | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Everygame | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Ignition | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
How to Play Online Poker in California
Here is how you can play online poker in California, using CoinPoker as an example.
- 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 place your bets.
Online Poker Bonuses Available in California
It would be ideal to win every time you play. However, this isn’t always the case. The following poker bonuses can help offset the impact of negative variance and give you a further bankroll boost when results are going your way:
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 CA is through cryptocurrency transfers.
Fiat payments are possible, but US gambling regulations make them 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 the way to go.
Cryptocurrencies
All of the featured platforms accept some cryptocurrencies for banking. Some of the most popular coins are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether (USDT), and Litecoin. These are fairly similar in how they work, but can come with some differences.
You will find that crypto poker sites offer instant deposits and withdrawals. Moreover, another benefit 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, leading platforms allow players to connect from mobile devices. Some have dedicated apps, while other sites run directly from the browser.
Ignition Poker, for example, has an optimized instant-play browser-based site for mobiles.
CoinPoker, ACR, and Black Chip Poker can all be installed on mobile devices and are considered top poker apps.
Is Poker Legal in California (CA)? Laws and Regulations Explained
Yes, but there are some important legal nuances to consider when it comes to the poker online market in the Golden State.
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, Native Tribes have a monopoly on gambling in the state, and they’re reluctant to relinquish control. This situation has blocked online poker regulation.
Even though regulations haven’t come to pass, California gambling laws don’t prohibit online poker. Thus, it’s not illegal to use offshore poker sites to play while in the state.
Can You Play Online Poker in California for Real Money?
Yes, you can play online poker for real money 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.
If you can pay, you can play online. That’s where licensed offshore sites fill the void. Trusted platforms 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 sites aren’t required to report player activity to the IRS.
Live Poker Tournaments in California
Casinos in the state are often where some of the leading poker professionals get their start. There are dozens of live poker rooms throughout California and some of the leading places to play include:
- 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
Many major poker tournaments in California offer large prize pools.
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.
California vs 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 sites trail their offshore counterparts when it comes to action and added value.
Some of the popular poker sites available in California, such as ACR and Ignition, have more players than the state-regulated counterparts in these markets. More players generate more action, which leads to bigger bonuses and larger tournament prizepools.
That’s why the action for California, Texas online poker, and Florida poker sites is better than in other places in the US.
Play Online Poker in California – Key Takeaways
Poker sites are not only legal in CA 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 check out the recommended platforms:
- Easy cash games and large 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?
Resources
- 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)