BetMGM keeps getting popular in the US by the day. If you’re in The Golden State, you may want to ask: Is BetMGM legal in California? It’s important because you need to be sure you’re not breaking the law.
Well, I’ve confirmed that BetMGM cannot legally operate in California yet. That’s because the site isn’t for traditional betting. Instead, it’s a sportsbook. Unfortunately, sports gaming doesn’t currently align with the local online betting regulations in CA. Continue reading as I explain how gaming works in Cali and what to expect from using BetMGM.
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BetMGM Highlights
- Hundreds of betting markets for major events
- Live streaming offered
- Competitive odds
Is BetMGM legal in California in 2025?
Concerning BetMGM California, it isn’t legal in California for either sports gaming or online casinos. That’s because California hasn’t legalized online sports gaming or real-money online casinos yet. So, even though BetMGM is a major player in other states, it’s off-limits here—for now.
When is BetMGM coming to California?
I’m not sure. It all boils down to state regulations. In 2022, two ballot measures to legalize sports betting didn’t pass, and attempts to revive the conversation in 2023 didn’t gain any traction. For now, California is not one of the
US states that allow online casinos
or sportsbooks.
However, the exciting part is that when California does greenlight sports gaming, I fully expect BetMGM to be one of the first to launch. It’s already a favorite in nearly 20 states, and I’m sure California players will love it, too.
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Can you still play at BetMGM even if it’s restricted?
I’ll admit, even after discovering the legal setbacks, I still found myself asking, “Can I use BetMGM in California?” Of course, the short answer is no. Even with a VPN, accessing BetMGM in restricted states is impossible.
Fortunately, there’s a legal and fun alternative. Sweepstakes casinos and social sportsbooks are 100% legal in California, meaning you can get that casino vibe without regulatory concerns.
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Best legal gambling alternatives to BetMGM in California
Sweepstakes casinos and
social betting sites
are fantastic gaming options in California. Some reputable alternatives include RealPrize, Stake.us, High 5 Casino, Sportzino, Fliff, and Legendz. These sites use virtual coins—Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC). GC is for free gameplay, while SC can be redeemed for cash prizes after meeting a site’s playthrough and eligibility criteria. It’s simple, fun, and totally legal.
I’ve been playing on these sites for many years. Believe me, they’re perfect for casino and sports fans.
Best sweepstakes casino alternatives to BetMGM in California
Now, let’s consider the
best real money sweepstakes casinos
in Cali. With competitors like Stake.us and RealPrize featuring more and arguably better games, superior bonuses, and unbeatable customer support, there's a lot out there to use instead of BetMGM.
RealPrize
Pros and cons of RealPrize
- Excellent Daily login bonus of 5,000 GC and 0.30 SC
- Fast gift card redemptions often within 24 hours
- Quality sweepstakes casino games from top providers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play
- Seven-tier VIP program with increasing rewards
- PayPal supported for purchases and redemptions
- Small game library of only 200+ titles
- Live chat support limited to higher VIP tiers
- No dedicated sweepstakes casino app
Visit Real Prize
I got a welcome offer of 100,000 GC and 2 SC when I signed up. You don’t need a bonus code to claim this bonus, just like BetMGM. Recall sports betting is yet to be legalized in Cali, so technically, there is no
BetMGM promo code.
RealPrize hosts giveaways on its Facebook, X, and Instagram pages. Besides that, it partners with various sweepstakes gaming streamers to host special giveaways on YouTube. Participating in these events can bag you impressive GC and SC prizes.
| Number of games |
Types of games |
Our favorite games |
Payout speed |
| 300+ |
Slots, table games, and video poker |
Buffalo King Megaways and Holly Jolly Cash Pig |
Up to 3 days |
Stake.us
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- 1200+ casino games
- Safe and legit
- Cool promo deals
- Live chat support
Visit Stake.us
Stake.us is arguably one of the best sweepstakes casinos around. Its welcome bonus remains unmatched, offering a generous welcome bonus of 55 Stake Cash + 260K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback when you sign up with promo code PROMOGUY.
Stake.us has a lot of games across various categories, from slots to table games and even live dealer games. While testing the site, I played popular slots like Gods of Rock and Gates of Olympus 1000 for free using the free Gold Coins and Stake Cash I got from the welcome bonus.
| Number of games |
Types of games |
Our favorite games |
Payout speed |
| 1,000+ |
Slots, live dealer games, table games, instant games, and scratch card games |
Gods of Rock and Gates of Olympus 1000 |
Up to 3 days |
High 5 Casino
High 5 Casino: Pros & Cons
- Generous welcome bonus package
- Over 1500 quality games available
- Free daily coin rewards
- Legit with multiple licenses
- Limited table game options
Visit High5Casino
High 5 Casino’s claim of offering more games than any other social casino may be debatable, but there’s no dispute about the site having more games than BetMGM. I figured this out during my
BetMGM review. With over 1,500 slots and table games available to all new and existing users, High 5 Casino has truly earned bragging rights with its one-of-a-kind games catalog.
The available games aren’t its only selling point, as new users also get 250 GC, 5 SC, and 600 Diamonds for free to play the numerous games on the site. After claiming mine, I played a few rounds of Valley of Fortunes to appreciate the excellence of High 5 Casino exclusives before playing a bit of Fire Stampede from Pragmatic Play.
Also, there’s native Android and iOS apps to play High 5 Casino games, but you don’t need a new app for each game.
| Number of games |
Types of games |
Our favorite games |
Payout speed |
| 1,500+ |
slots and table games |
Valley of Fortunes and Fire Stampede |
1–2 days |
Best social sports betting alternatives to BetMGM in California
Here are three excellent social sports gaming alternatives to consider if you’re in California:
Sportzino
Sportzino: Pros & Cons
- Social sportsbook AND casino
- Great welcome bonus
- Betting-like experience that’s close to the real thing
Visit Sportzino
Sportzino is easily one of the best social sportsbooks out there, and you’ll soon see why. Its welcome bonus includes up to 170,000 GC and 7 SC to kick-start your sports gaming experience.
There’s also a daily login bonus of 20,000 GC and 1 free SC on your first day. Keep logging in for seven days straight, and the rewards get even better.
Moreover, Sportzino offers plenty of ways to play any game, with Moneylines, Totals, and Spreads.
One feature I enjoyed during my Sportzino review was the live betting and streaming for esports. This means you can enjoy games while placing in-play entries, all in real-time. I even spotted a teaser parlay tied to the upcoming games, which makes the experience even more exciting.
| Number of sports covered |
Top sports |
Types of bets available |
Payout speed |
| 40+ |
Football, Basketball, Ice hockey, Soccer, Crickets, Martial arts, and Tennis |
Spreads, Moneylines, Totals, Game Props, Player Props, Futures, Teasers, and Parlays |
1–5 days |
Fliff
Fliff: Pros & Cons
- Exclusive promo code:
FLIFFPLAYERS
- Possibility of cash prizes
- Available in most states
- Most major sports featured
- Only supports mobile play
Visit Fliff
New players get 1,000 Fliff Coins and 1 Fliff Cash just for signing up with promo code
PROMOGUYSOCIAL. Existing gamers receive an hourly login bonus of 1,000 Fliff Coins every two hours and 0.10 Fliff Cash. Plus, a daily challenge rewards players with 2 Experience Points (XP) per challenge. For example, making a straight pick or making a play in the Chiefs vs. Steelers game can boost your XP count by two points.
One of my favorite features on Fliff is the Odds Boosts on popular and highly anticipated games. Moreover, with its live in-play feature, you can make real-time play as the games unfold.
| Number of sports covered |
Top sports |
Types of bets available |
Payout speed |
| 10 |
Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Hockey, Tennis, MMA, and Boxing |
Moneyline, Spread, Total, and Parlay |
1–3 days |
Legendz
Pros & Cons of Legendz Social Casino
- Generous signup bonus
- Social casino and social sports betting
- Secure and safe platform
Visit Legendz Casino
Legendary gamers in the US social sportsbook scene say that Legendz sportsbook is the most user-friendly site for sports gaming, and they’re spot on. The homepage has a horizontal layout of major US sports and leagues, which makes navigation seamless.
You can jump into popular options like Spread, Total, and Money Line bets for each game.
As a new user, you can enjoy up to 500 GC and 3 SC as a welcome bonus. From there, you can start making live predictions on the games. Beyond sports gaming, Legendz also features a selection of casino games.
| Number of sports covered |
Top sports |
Types of bets available |
Payout speed |
| 35 |
Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Football, Formula 1, Golf, Hockey, MMA, Politics, Soccer, Tennis, and Volleyball |
Moneyline bets, combos, and system bets |
1–2 days |
Conclusion – Play fun slots and sports games for free on BetMGM alternative sites
Even though BetMGM is admittedly getting popular in the US by the day, some states still have yet to legalize it. For Cali residents, the question is, “Is BetMGM legal in California?” Unfortunately, not yet, but there’s hope.
Check out my list of sweepstakes casinos and sportsbook alternatives. Simply sign up on any of the recommended sites, claim the generous welcome bonuses, and start playing your favorite games.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Is BetMGM legal in California FAQs
🌟 Can you use BetMGM in California?
Unfortunately, BetMGM cannot legally operate in California yet. So, the emphatic answer is no. However, it is not entirely hopeless, as Cali residents have solid alternatives like RealPrize, Stake.us, High 5 Casino, Sportzino, Fliff, and Legendz.
📍 Where in the US is BetMGM available?
BetMGM is available in nearly 20 states, including Arizona, Colorado, D.C., Illinois, New York, etc. Cali residents can remain hopeful that as the site spreads across the country, it’ll eventually reach The Golden State.
💰 Does BetMGM give you real money?
No. BetMGM doesn’t give you real money for accurate picks and predictions. On the app, you can only redeem your Sweepstakes Coins for real prizes after meeting the playthrough and eligibility requirements.
