California Daily Fantasy Sports
California daily fantasy sports sites are de facto legal, even though state law does not directly address the issue. Lawmakers have considered legislation to formally legalize and regulate fantasy sports in California, but they have had no success to date.
Although the California Attorney General’s office declared daily fantasy sports illegal in July 2025, all major platforms remain open to California residents. The AG’s opinion did not immediately impact state law, and the governor’s office has indicated a willingness to ensure California DFS apps remain available to residents.
Read on for the full rundown on daily fantasy sports in California. Below, this page lists reputable DFS apps, explains California fantasy sports law, and answers frequently asked questions.
California Daily Fantasy Sports Sites
Play $5, Get $50 in LineupsPrizePicks Promo Code: BUSA
$50 provided as promo funds, only for use on PrizePicks. Promo funds provided under this promotion must be played within 90 days of receipt or shall become null and void at PrizePicks’ discretion. Promo ends 12/31/25. Void where prohibited. If you or someone you know has a gaming problem, get help. Crisis services and responsible gaming counseling can be accessed by calling 1-800-426-2537 or online at www.ncpgambling.org. 18+ in most eligible jurisdictions, but other age and eligibility restrictions may apply. Valid only in jurisdictions where PrizePicks operates. See prizepicks.com/terms for full PrizePicks terms of service.
$100 First Entry RefundBoom Fantasy Promo Code: BUSA
Users must be 18+ years of age to play and deposit (19+ in Nebraska). T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. All users must have only 1 account. If a user is found to be less than 18 years old, their account will be banned and all their entries will be canceled and refunded. If a user is found to have more than 1 account, they will be subject to a ban at Boom’s discretion.
Play $5, Get $50Underdog Fantasy Promo Code: BETUSA
Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. See assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for details. Offer not valid in MD, MI, OH, NY and PA. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)
Free Entry + $100 Deposit BonusParlayPlay Promo Code: BUSA
18/21+, T&Cs Apply. Welcome offer is for players who make their first successful deposit to ParlayPlay. Following the deposit, you receive promo entry(s) that matches the deposit amount up to $100. The promo entry can only be used to enter up to 4-pick More/Less contests. If you lose the promo entry, your account balance is not impacted. The deposit promo entry(s) must be used within 7 days of deposit. After 7 days the free entry will expire. If you have concerns about managing your play on ParlayPlay or anywhere else, or if you’re concerned about a family member or friend, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers support through telephone or text. They can be reached confidentially (24-hours a day) at 1-800-522-4700. Or contacted on their website at https://www.ncpgambling.org/ or through chat at ncpgambling.org/chat.
100% Deposit BonusOwnersBox Referral Code: BUSA
18/21+ to play. Terms & conditions apply. See ownersbox.com for full offer details. If you or somebody you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call (1-800-GAMBLER).
$10 Free Signup Offer & $200 Deposit BonusBetr Picks Promo Code: USGAMLING
Must be 21+ and located in a jurisdiction where Betr Picks operates. Product offering may vary by jurisdiction. T&Cs apply. For more details, please visit betr.app. Concerned about your play? Call the NCPG at 1-800-522-4700.
$25 Sign-Up BonusDabble Fantasy Promo Code: Not Needed
18+, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
All mainstream DFS operators offer real-money contests in California, so players can choose from a wide variety of contest types. BettingUSA’s recommended California fantasy sports apps provide everything from daily leagues to fantasy props and trading exchanges, but all are experienced and hold licenses in other states.
Most Prominent California DFS Apps
- PrizePicks
- Boom Fantasy
- Underdog Fantasy
- ParlayPlay
- OwnersBox
- Betr Picks
- Dabble Fantasy
- FanDuel DFS
- DraftKings DFS
- DraftKings Pick6
- Sleeper DFS
California Fantasy Sports Law
California tolerates but does not regulate daily fantasy sports. Although state law does not directly address fantasy sports, all major DFS brands operate in California and accept customers 18 or older without interference from local authorities.
In July 2025, the California Attorney General’s office declared daily fantasy sports illegal. However, the opinion did not result in DFS apps exiting the state. Instead, there are reasons to be optimistic that the California fantasy sports industry will continue to operate as normal:
- The AG’s opinion was nonbinding, meaning it does not have the force of law
- All major DFS platforms remain active in California despite the opinion
- A spokesperson for the California Governor’s office stated that it disagrees with the opinion
- The spokesperson also said that the governor “welcomes a constructive path forward in collaboration with all stakeholders”
Regardless of how this shakes out, fans should exercise caution in choosing where to play since California doesn’t regulate DFS contests. However, mainstream operators like the ones listed above already conform to the consumer protection regulations other states have adopted.
In other words, playing daily fantasy sports in California doesn’t have to be an adventure into lawlessness. Instead, fans can indirectly benefit from other states’ consumer protection measures by selecting fantasy sports apps and websites licensed elsewhere.
One benefit of California’s lax approach to daily fantasy sports is that it has opened the doors to a wide range of operators offering unique types of contests. Between FanDuel’s daily fantasy games and PrizePicks proposition contests, California DFS players have more options than fans in most states.
Will California Legalize Daily Fantasy Sports?
The California legislature hasn’t considered legislation to regulate daily fantasy sports since 2016 because the obstacles that derailed the last effort remain in place today.
The last attempt to regulate California daily fantasy sports sites began in 2015 with Assemblyman Adam Gray introducing AB 1437 to establish a licensing process and consumer protection regulations. Later, Assemblyman Gray amended the bill to add provisions regarding responsible advertising and segregating players’ funds from fantasy sports sites’ operating funds.
The bill sailed through the Assembly by votes of 18-1 and 62-1 in January 2016 to send it to the Senate. However, it died in the Senate over opposition from influential tribal gaming operators and anti-gambling groups that described it as an unconstitutional gambling expansion.
Two tribal operators opposed the bill on the grounds that it amounted to an expansion of gambling, which would require a constitutional amendment and voter approval. Additionally, they expressed frustration that California had moved so quickly to legalize fantasy sports while ignoring online poker.
However, Assemblyman Gray noted that AB 1437 did not address the issue of daily fantasy’s legality under California law. Instead, he said the bill proposed a regulatory environment should the California Attorney General issue an opinion that fantasy sports do not qualify as gambling under state law.
At the time, former California Attorney General Kamala Harris was expected to rule whether fantasy sports constitute illegal gambling under state law. However, she never issued the ruling, and DFS sites continue to operate in California under the current status quo.
In addition to regulating fantasy sports sites and instituting a licensing process, AB 1437 would have established a minimum age of 21 to participate. Additionally, the bill would have given the California Department of Justice oversight powers and the authority to adopt new regulations as needed.
Ultimately, pro-DFS lawmakers could not overcome the obstacles AB 1437 faced in the Senate, and it died without further action.
Fortunately for fantasy sports fans, AB 1437’s failure has had no discernible effect on the ground. All mainstream California daily fantasy sites already provide a standard array of consumer protection measures required by laws in other states.
Since then, there have been no concerted efforts to reintroduce legislation to regulate California fantasy sports. Even so, numerous DFS operators remain active throughout the state. Thus, legalizing DFS in California would be a formality at this point.
California Daily Fantasy Sports FAQ
Mike Murphy is the founder of BettingUSA.com and has over 10 years of experience in the legal gambling industry. A regular attendee of industry trade shows and conferences, Mike is a strong proponent in the idea of a well regulated online betting industry.