![\"California\"](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/california.jpg\")
There has always been controversy surrounding Unsurprisingly, California<\/strong> is no exception. California has always been one of the states with a high inclination towards all forms of gambling that dates back to the times of Gold Rush<\/a> and journeying deep into the area of the West Coast. <\/p>\n With that kind of heritage under its belt, no wonder California, after Las Vegas, Nevada, is a go-to place for many forms of gambling that include various types of games. <\/p>\n Legislation regarding gambling in the Golden State dates back to the 19th century, and according to the California Penal Code<\/strong>, casino games and house-banked games are considered illegal. <\/p>\n Consequently, CA has a limited number of legal gambling venues \u2014 not to mention that the status of online poker has not been regulated yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n This article will touch upon everything regarding California online poker laws and discuss the regulations that refer to land-based poker venues. In addition, we will explain whether home poker is considered legal and give you an update on the most recent developments.\u00a0<\/p>\n To start, we\u2019ll get straight to what forms of gambling are already legal and take it from there. <\/p>\n Although the Californian state legislature has dithered on making sure online gambling is legal, there have been many attempts to put the matter to a vote, but to no avail. <\/p>\n One of the most recent efforts was Senator Roderick Wright<\/strong>\u2019s, when, in 2012, he introduced SB 51<\/a> \u2014 \u201cInternet Gambling Consumer Protection and Public-Private Partnership Act<\/em>\u201c, also known as the online poker bill aimed at legalising intrastate real-money online poker in California, but this bill was also turned down. <\/p>\n At the moment, no similar bill is said to be in the making, but that shouldn\u2019t deter players from accessing offshore online casinos and enjoy their favourite games as they will be in no breach of the law. <\/p>\n In percentage games, the casino or a host earns money from the house edge. According to California Penal Code 330<\/a>, all such games are forbidden. <\/p>\n This code also includes those games where the house or the game host doesn\u2019t participate.\u00a0<\/p>\n But how does all this apply to poker?\u00a0<\/p>\n Well, any poker game in which the rake is based on pot size percentages is illegal. However, there are some loopholes that make it possible for certain poker operators to take the rake without breaking the state code.\u00a0<\/p>\n Before taking part in a poker game \u2014 regardless of whether it\u2019s online or in a land-based establishment \u2014 make sure you are familiar with the following laws:\u00a0<\/p>\n Online gambling is in a bit of a gray area in California, and online poker is no exception.\u00a0<\/p>\n Legalizing online poker has been an ongoing battle since 2008. Namely, after the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act<\/a> of 2006, most U.S.-based online poker sites stopped accepting American players. As a result, Californian poker players are prohibited from playing online for real money. The only legal options are sweepstakes poker sites and social games.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are no online poker options available in California at the moment, so players may consider offshore poker sites as an alternative. They are also seen as a gray area; however, playing online poker on an offshore site will most likely not get you into legal trouble.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are many reputable offshore licensed casinos offering numerous real money games. We recommend that you check out some of the operators listed at the top of this page since these trustworthy online poker rooms host multiple poker variations from the top industry providers.\u00a0 Although most forms of gambling are prohibited by state law, there are some exceptions, especially regarding card games. Namely, players in California can play live poker in registered brick-and-mortar tribal casinos and card rooms<\/a> since poker doesn\u2019t fall under the prohibition of house-banked games.<\/p>\n Californians who are over 21 years old have a few options when it comes to playing poker. The California Gambling Control Commission website reports that there are more than 60 operating card rooms across the state. There is a wide range of poker rooms, from small card rooms where only poker is played to those in large Native American casinos. You are technically not allowed to host a poker game at your home. According to California Penal Code 337J<\/a>, it\u2019s illegal to conduct or maintain any controlled game \u2014 and in the Golden State, poker falls under this category.<\/p>\n However, the new state code from 2003 says that particular types of home games, such as private poker games, are entirely legal. According to it, gambling is allowed under specific circumstances \u2014 for instance, in private residences where no one makes money as a host but only as a player in card games.\u00a0<\/p>\n This means that playing poker and other card games in one\u2019s own home is legal, provided that no one profits from organizing them. Therefore, there can be no entrance fee, no minimum food purchase, or any other costs imposed on competitors. Otherwise, you could be operating an illegal gambling establishment in the eyes of California state law. The end of the 1980s saw an increase in the different gambling legislatures in California becoming law, which gave rise to various forms of regulated types of games and their venues. <\/p>\n One of the first moves by the federal government was to legalise and regulate the gaming activity on Native American land. The government passed The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988<\/strong>, enacted by the US Congress, which set the guidelines for the gaming on the Native American soil. The games allowed slot machines and house-banked card games (poker, blackjack), and bingo. Craps and roulette were excluded from the deal because they use wheels and dice to determine the outcome of games. <\/p>\n Currently, there are over 60 legalised Native American casinos in California<\/a> operating Las Vegas-style of play. Card Clubs belong to the old-school type of gaming rooms that date back to the birth of poker. These cards rooms are very famous across California such as the The Bicycle Hotel & Casino<\/a> (pictured<\/em>) as they are the venues of the best live poker games in the state. <\/p>\n The difference between poker rooms at casinos and California Card Clubs<\/a> is that players pay a fee to play and are essentially betting against each other rather than the house, as all forms of house-banked games are illegal in the state. <\/p><\/div>\n This type of betting on horse races has been around in California since the beginning of the 20th century. In Pari-Mutuel wagering, all the bets are pooled together, so players are playing against themselves and not the house. The winnings from the pooled bets are distributed among players only after taxes have been deducted. Since then, off-track betting and online advance-deposit betting have also been legalised. <\/p><\/div>\n Charitable Gaming refers to legal forms of bingo where the proceeds go to charities. Charity organisations often host these events. So far, bingo was the only game played, but, as of 2007, poker has been played on different fundraisers after the new legislation allowing poker fundraisers took to power. <\/p><\/div>\n California Lottery<\/a> is managed by the state and includes lottery games such as Mega Millions and SuperLotto Plus. There are many advantages of playing online poker, and players from California know that well. First of all, online poker games are available 24\/7, so you won\u2019t have to wait to play your favourite game. Also, online poker games are accessible through various devices, which makes it easier to play online poker on the go, wherever you are. <\/p>\n All you need is a running browser and a stable Internet connection. Furthermore, there are many online poker tournaments you can gain access too and hone your poker skills. Who knows, maybe one day you can qualify for some satellite tournaments and reach a table at the WSOP Main Event if you get good enough.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n The circumstances regarding online poker tell us that this is the game and form of gambling that was most frequently at the core of all attempts to legalise online gambling in California. Running an online poker site is illegal in California at the moment, but the situation might change at any given moment. Legislators and lobbying groups have invested time and money into preparing bill after bill that would legalise online poker<\/a>, but the road was filled with utter disappointment.<\/p>\n<\/i> Is Online Gambling Legal in California?<\/span><\/h2> \n
![\"Online](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/US-poker-sites-approval.jpg\" "\\"Is")
There is no state or federal law in power in California that prohibits online wagering with real money bets on any licensed offshore online gaming sites or across the Internet gaming hubs whatsoever. No legal action will be taken against those who engage in online gambling activities as long as they are of age, as underage gambling is not allowed in any of the online casinos. <\/p>\n<\/i> California Poker Laws<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Law\"](\"\/images\/icons\/icon-law.png\" "\\"California"){kind=icon}
California state laws are very vague, which can be frustrating for people who love to play poker. To better understand California poker law, you must familiarize yourself with the concept of percentage games first, as this term is frequently used in the state\u2019s gambling laws.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n
Online Poker<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p><\/div>\nLand-Based Poker<\/h3>
\n<\/p><\/div>\nHome Poker<\/h3>
\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/i> What Forms of Gambling Are Legal in California?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Tribal Casinos<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p><\/div>\nCard Clubs<\/h3>
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\nPari-Mutuel Wagering on Horse Racing<\/h3>\n
Charitable Gaming<\/h3>\n
Lottery<\/h3>\n
\n<\/p><\/div>\nWhy Should We Play Online Poker?<\/h3>
<\/i> What is the Case with Online Poker in California?<\/span><\/h2>\n