Play Online Poker in California at Global Poker The only legal option for Californians who want to play poker online is a sweepstake or social gaming site. “Every person who plays or bets at or against any of those prohibited games is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punishable by a fine not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment.” Online poker is prohibited by Section 330 of the California Penal Code, where it states: No, at least not when it comes to playing online poker for real money. Meanwhile, read on for an overview of the past, present, and possible future of real money online poker in California. Here at Pla圜A, we’re keeping a close watch on any new developments regarding legal online poker in the state. In fact, that’s a few million more than the four states listed above (NJ, NV, PA, MI) combined. With 40 million residents, California has the highest population of any state in the US. If California were to legalize online poker (even just for in-state players to compete against one another), the state would enjoy a healthy player pool. However, legislation to introduce “intrastate” online poker in California (that is, in-state only) has yet to advance. In fact, those efforts began well before New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and other states legalized online poker. That means for now the only online poker options available to California players are social and sweepstakes poker sites.Ĭalifornia has had several online poker bills introduced over the years. Some California lawmakers have tried to legalize it in the state, but they have yet to succeed. Even though California has a long history as one of the country’s most popular poker destinations, the state does not offer legal online poker for real money.

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