All of the California State online poker site bonuses mentioned on this page are subject to change at any time, should any of them be of interest to you please visit the respective Poker sites website for full terms and conditions of any bonus listed.
Online Los Angeles Poker Rooms in CA
Our guide to online poker in Los Angeles lists the top L.A. online poker sites, best land-based poker rooms and the laws surround their use.
Los Angeles is not only the biggest city in California but also has the largest and most active poker scene. It’s the most prominent poker hotspot in the largest state of the US.
Unfortunately, players are limited to land-based poker rooms and social poker sites, as online poker is illegal.
That said, the lack of proper regulation is not stopping players from using real-money offshore poker sites.
Let’s look at how that’s possible in Los Angeles, California, and everything you need to know about online poker in the City of Angels.
Best Online Poker Sites in Los Angeles, CA
As a vast and exciting market, many offshore online poker rooms cater to players from Los Angeles and the rest of California.
Naturally, with such a diverse pool of platforms, it’s hard to pick the right one. Many have poor quality, low traffic, limited tournaments and bonuses, and so on. That’s why we’ve worked hard to find the best sites on the US market with high traffic, many tournaments and cash games, rewarding bonuses, and more.
The list is continually updated, so feel free to return after a while if you want a new online LA poker room to join.
Here’s the list:
My list of the best poker sites which I consider to be the best rooms to play in 2024:- 100% Legal & Licensed
- Verified Bonus
- Mobile Friendly
- Advertiser Disclosure
Kindly be aware that some links on Top 10 Poker Sites are affiliate links, for which we may earn a commission. Find out more on our terms & conditions
- Must be 18+ to participate.
Displayed 3 of 8 rooms
Is Online Poker Legal in Los Angeles, CA
Real-money online poker is illegal in California and, thus, in Los Angeles, as the city follows the state’s laws on gambling. Moreover, online poker has always been banned in the state, except for social poker, which is currently legal.
According to Section 330 of the California Penal Code, online poker is not allowed throughout the state, and illegal gambling is considered a misdemeanor.
The punishment for breaking the law is a fine of $100–$1,000 or jail time of up to six months. The only legal options are social or sweepstake poker sites.
Many attempts have been made over the years to legalize online poker, but they have failed. These attempts began before states like Nevada and New Jersey made their laws.
As many as ten bills were introduced over eight years until 2016 when the last significant attempt was made. The 2016 bill failed due to conflicting interests between competing tribal casinos and other stakeholders in the state’s gambling industry.
When it comes to the legislation we have at the moment, the law is not specific about offshore poker sites that cater to players from Los Angeles and the rest of California. That’s why LA poker fans join and use them en masse. There is no record of players prosecuted for joining international poker websites, only of people who organize illegal gambling operations.
As offshore online poker rooms don’t follow LA and CA laws, they can be risky. It’s thus crucial to choose a safe, licensed, and reputable poker site that caters to players from California.
Laws & Regulations In California
Even though players use offshore poker sites, you should familiarize yourself with the legal framework surrounding poker in the city and the rest of California.
The laws you should check include the following:
- California Penal Code
- Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006
- Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
- Assembly Bill No. 649, Chapter 432
Selecting a Good Online Poker Room
Choosing a suitable online poker room as a player from Los Angeles is vital as the only option, offshore poker sites, are not regulated in the state. Consequently, there’s no way to force the site to pay you or settle a problem if you find yourself in one.
You need to stick to reputable licensed sites like the ones we recommend, and if you look for some on your own, you should use the criteria below to ensure they are safe.
Licensing and Security
To ensure a poker site is safe and legit, check its license. The permit must come from a leading gambling regulatory body, like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission or Malta Gaming Authority.
Agencies like these only award licenses to reputable sites that have proven their commitment to player safety. Make sure the license number is valid when looking into the permit, the information for which you can find at the bottom of the page and on the official website of the regulatory body.
Games and Tournaments
The main criterion for a good poker site is the diversity of games and tournaments it offers. The more cash games and regular tournaments on offer, the better.
The main games should always be No Limit Hold’em and Omaha. However, the sites should have more variations of Texas Hold’em and Omaha and some other, less popular games like Razz and Badugi.
As for the tournaments, the site should have a few every day, so you’ll always have an exciting and rewarding competition to join, where you’ll get much bigger prizes than usual.
Rake and Player Traffic
Diverse games and tournaments are great, but they won’t mean much unless there are enough players to compete against. That’s why we recommend sites with high player traffic. The more traffic there is, the more opponents you’ll have of all skill levels.
As for the rakes, the tables should have varied levels so both beginners and pro players will have something to enjoy. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to join sites with lower rakes.
Bonuses and Promotions
Every good poker site should have at least a welcome bonus, but the great ones follow up with additional promos for existing players. These include freerolls, cashbacks, reload bonuses, and loyalty programs.
However, no matter how good the bonuses seem, you should check the fine print to see if they are worth it.
Banking Options
If you’re going to play poker with real money, the site you’re using should have suitable payment methods you can use to make deposits and withdrawals.
The more options, the better, but the list should include methods you typically use. Most poker sites will offer a variety of e-wallets, credit cards, cryptocurrencies, and more.
Device Compatibility
The best thing about online poker is that you can play it anywhere. However, you still want the platform to function on most devices, notably computers, mobile phones, and tablets.
This requires optimization on the part of the site, so make sure that the options you’re going for work on the devices you want to use. Some casinos will even have dedicated clients you can download to your laptop or smartphone.
Customer Support
Customer service is not an essential feature of a poker site until it is. Every player will need help eventually, so the platforms must offer robust customer support.
The system should work 24/7, with contact options such as live chat and email.
Benefits of Playing Online Poker
Playing online poker comes with a wide range of benefits, especially compared to live poker. Here are the main pros you should know about:
- Convenience — You can play poker any time of the day, no matter your location.
- High traffic — If you choose the right poker site, there will always be a lot of other players of various skill levels for you to face.
- Bonuses — Poker sites have bonuses and promotions that make playing easier and provide you with extra funds.
- More options — Every LA poker site is at your fingertips, so the diversity of cash games and tournaments is always bigger compared to live poker, where you’re limited to the locations near you.
Famous Poker Players From Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles is filled with poker players, but only a couple have reached the level of fame that has made them household names in the city and throughout the US.
Here’s a list of some of the most prominent players you should know about:
David ‘Chino’ Rheem — Won more than $12.8 million
Chris ‘Jesus’ Ferguson (pictured) — Won more than $9.5 million and 6 WSOP bracelets
Benjamin Yu — Won more than $8.7 million and 4 WSOP bracelets
Land-Based Casinos With Live Poker
Los Angeles is home to as many as six land-based poker rooms, including two with more than 150 tables. Here’s a list of all of them:
Name | Address | No. Poker Tables | Tournaments |
---|---|---|---|
Parkwest Bicycle Casino | 888 Bicycle Casino Dr, Bell Gardens, CA 90201 | 62 | Yes |
Commerce Casino | 6131 Telegraph Rd, Commerce, CA 90040 | 150 | Yes |
Hustler Casino | 1000 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247 | 50 | No |
Hollywood Park Casino | 3883 W Century Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90303 | 51 | Yes |
The Gardens Casino | 11871 E Carson St, Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716 | 184 | Yes |
Larry Flynt’s Lucky Lady Casino | 1045 Rosecrans Ave, Gardena, CA 90247 | 18 | Yes |
Other Resources
If you want to find out what the state as a whole has to offer and its other cities, have a look below for in-depth guides
FAQs
Is online poker legal in Los Angeles?
No, online poker isn’t regulated in Los Angeles as it’s illegal in California. The only legal forms of online poker are social or sweepstakes poker sites. Offshore poker sites that cater to Californians are the only real-money option, but you have to use reputable ones as they are not regulated by the state of California.
Are there any land-based poker rooms in L.A.?
Yes, there are several land-based poker rooms in Los Angeles. The three most prominent and widely known are Bicycle Casino, Commerce Casino, and The Gardens Casino, each with more than 150 tables.
Which cash games can I play in an L.A. online poker room?
You’ll get to play many cash games across the sites we recommend, including No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.
Do Los Angeles, CA poker sites accept credit cards?
Yes, they do. The exact payment methods differ from site to site, but most accept a wide range of credit and debit cards, most notably Visa and Mastercard. However, bear in mind that due to US laws, American banks can block payments to offshore gambling sites, so it might be better to use e-wallets or cryptocurrency.
Are there any bonuses on Los Angeles poker sites?
Yes, of course. The sites we recommend offer welcome bonuses to new members and other promos like loyalty programs for existing players.