Legal forms of gambling in the U.S. state of California include cardrooms, Indian casinos, the California State Lottery, parimutuel wagering on horse racing, and charitable gaming.
Contents
Cardrooms
Licensed cardrooms may offer approved card games in which players vie against each other (rather than against the house), such as poker. As of 2011, there were 93 licensed cardrooms in the state. Since 1998, there has a moratorium on new cardrooms.
Non-banked card games such as poker have always been legal in the state. The California Penal Code, enacted in 1872, prohibited several casino games by name, as well as all house-banked games, but did not outlaw poker. Statewide cardroom regulations were enacted in 1984.
Charitable gaming
Eligible nonprofit organizations may operate bingo games, raffles, and poker nights.
State voters in 1976 approved a constitutional amendment allowing counties and cities to legalize charitable bingo. An amendment to allow charitable raffles passed in 2000, and enabling legislation went into effect in 2001. Legislation allowing poker night fundraisers took effect in 2007.
Parimutuel wagering
Parimutuel wagering on horse racing is permitted at racetracks and satellite wagering facilities. Extended racing meets are held throughout the year at five tracks: Cal Expo, Del Mar, Golden Gate Fields, Los Alamitos, and Santa Anita. Four other fairgrounds tracks hold brief meets in the summer and early fall. Racing and wagering is regulated by the California Horse Racing Board.
Horse race wagering was legalized by voter referendum in 1933.
Indian gaming
Federally recognized tribes can operate casinos under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and tribal-state compacts negotiated with the state. As of 2006, 55 tribal casinos were operating in California.
Lottery
The California State Lottery offers scratchcards and draw games, including the multi-state Powerball and Mega Millions games.