Many CA bettors ask if they can sign up with bet365. If you have the same question, the truth is that you can’t. Registering with bet365 in California isn’t possible, as the sportsbook isn’t licensed in the Golden State.
California has also recently updated their state laws regarding gambling and as of 1st January 2026, social casino alternatives to bet365 are also not allowed. Read on as I explain more about the recent changes to sweepstakes sportsbooks and also reveal legal non-gambling entertainment options available.
No, bet365 is not legal in California. The popular international sportsbook is not licensed to operate in the state because CA hasn’t legalized traditional sports betting. Whether online or retail, you can’t bet on sports in the Golden State.
Despite the federal repeal of PASPA in 2018, which gave states the right to regulate sports betting, California has yet to pass any law that allows it. According to my research, two major ballot initiatives in 2022 aimed at legalizing sports betting: Proposition 26 and Proposition 27.
The first would have allowed in-person betting at tribal casinos, while the other proposed statewide mobile betting through commercial operators. However, both were soundly rejected by voters. Consequently, sportsbooks like bet365 are prohibited from giving any betting services in California.
I must say the situation isn’t peculiar to California. States with similar views, such as Texas, also have strong opposition to traditional online betting. For context, bet365 is not legal in Texas, and the same applies to other top conventional sportsbooks in the US.
New customers in sportsbook eligible states can take advantage of the welcome promo 'Bet $5, Get $150, win or lose'. Simply open an account, deposit at least $10, and place a $5+ qualifying bet to receive $150 in Bonus Bets no matter the outcome of your bet. Bets must include at least one selection with odds of -500 or higher, and Bonus Bets wager is excluded from returns. This promo is only available for new customers. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.
Following the Super Bowl promo on February 9th at 5:00 AM MST until March 17th at 4:59 AM MST, new customers can enjoy the Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose promo across all states. The promo is available for multi-state (excluding NJ and PA). New Jersey customers can enjoy a Bet $5 Get $150 plus 10 Golden Chips promo, while Pennsylvania on the other hand, can get hold of Bet $5 Get $150 plus 50 Spins promo.
For Casino players in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, there's a casino bonus available.
NJ – Deposit $10, Claim a 100% matched bonus of up to $1,000 AND receive up to 1,000 Spins
NJ T & C's
Min $10 deposits required. Max. $1,000 matched bonus. Bonus must be wagered 30 times prior to withdrawal. Promo must be claimed within 30 days of registering a bet365 account. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply.
PA – Deposit $10, Claim a 100% matched bonus of up to $1,000 AND receive up to 1,000 Spins
PA T& C's
Min $10 deposits required. Max. $1,000 matched bonus. Bonus must be wagered 25 times prior to withdrawal. Promo must be claimed within 30 days of registering a bet365 account. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply.
Starting from 1st January 2026, social sweepstakes casinos are no longer allowed to operate in CA.
From the recent changes, it means that the following activities are now prohibited for California residents:
Any platform giving these services to California residents would be violating state law.
Although traditional online sportsbooks and sweepstakes sports betting platforms are no longer allowed in California, residents can still enjoy many different non-gambling options that are available.
Can you use bet365 in California? The answer remains no, which is the core drawback. Nevertheless, it’s nice that you can use some non-gambling alternatives. Here are the pros and cons to note:
While using bet365 in California isn’t an option and CA state laws may restrict traditional sports betting it can be tricky to find what else is out there. With the new legislation from 1st January 2026 making sweepstakes sites illegal it has become even more difficult for residents in California.
Currently, the only available options are from non-gambling entertainment sites which gives things such as free-to-play sports games or skill based competitions. California may revisit sports betting legislation in the future, but for now it is important that residents are aware of the recent changes and what is allowed under the state law.
No, you can’t use bet365 in California because the sportsbook isn’t legal in the state.
bet365 is not available in CA because traditional sportsbooks aren’t legal in the state. If the law changes in the future, the popular betting brand may start accepting California residents.
No, you can’t install the bet365 mobile app in California. The sportsbook isn’t legal in the state, so its Android and iOS applications are off-limits if you’re a CA resident.
No, you can’t bet on bet365 with a VPN in California, as it’s against the state laws..
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