Is DFS legal in California?
- Salary-cap DFS
- Available, no state licensing
- Pick'em
- Available
- Minimum age
- 18+
- Sites available
- 10
The law in California
DraftKings and FanDuel both offer salary-cap DFS in California, which has no law licensing or banning fantasy contests. In July 2025 the attorney general issued a non-binding opinion that paid DFS, including pick'em, is illegal sports betting; no enforcement has followed, and a federal judge is now weighing the question in a class action against DraftKings. Betr and Dabble offer house-style pick'em, and PrizePicks, Underdog and Sleeper run peer-to-peer versions. Players must be 18 or older.
Recent changes: July 2025: the attorney general's opinion called all DFS illegal (non-binding, and not enforced as of Nov 2026), and PrizePicks and Underdog moved California pick'em to peer-to-peer. July 2026: a federal judge let claims against DraftKings for future relief proceed (Zhen v. DraftKings). Oct 9, 2026: the judge replaced the December 21 trial date with a new one and asked for briefs, due Nov 25 to Dec 22, on whether DraftKings' California contests violate the Penal Code.
Read the law yourself
- California AG Opinion 23-1001 (July 2025) on daily fantasy sportsAttorney general
- California Penal Code § 337a (betting on contests)Statute
- Zhen v. DraftKings (N.D. Cal.): order on motions to dismiss, July 29, 2026Court ruling
- Zhen v. DraftKings (N.D. Cal.): order scheduling summary-judgment briefing on Penal Code §§ 337a and 330, October 9, 2026Court ruling
Sites you can play in California
Salary cap, Best ball
NFLCFBNBACBB+9States 44Min deposit $5New customers get 2 tickets to play free in NFL and NBA contests with a first deposit of $5 or more
Salary cap, Best ball
NFLCFBNBACBB+7States 44Min deposit —No current offer listed
Peer-to-peer pick'em, Pools, Prediction market
NFLCFBNBACBB+2States 40Min deposit $10No current offer listed
Peer-to-peer pick'em, Prediction market
NFLCFBNBACBB+5States 37Min deposit $10New users who play a first $5 lineup get $150 in bonus lineups if it wins, plus $25 in bonus packs after buying a first $5 pack
Peer-to-peer pick'em
NFLCFBNBACBB+9States 35Min deposit —No current offer listed
Pick'em, Peer-to-peer pick'em, Best ball, Prediction market
NFLCFBNBACBB+7States 35Min deposit $10New customers play $5, get $50 instantly; sign up with code UDPROMO (Underdog's App Store listing instead advertises a Gimme Pick plus up to $1,000 in bonus funds on a first deposit)
Pick'em, Peer-to-peer pick'em, Sweepstakes, Prediction market
NFLCFBNBACBB+6States 34Min deposit $10No current offer listed
Pick'em, Peer-to-peer pick'em
NFLCFBNBACBB+10States 32Min deposit —Place a $10 real-money entry and get $20 in Bonus Cash (offer runs Oct 8-Dec 31, 2026)
Pick'em, Peer-to-peer pick'em
NFLCFBNBAWNBA+10States 32Min deposit $10$5 free entry on sign-up plus a 100% first-deposit match up to $100 in promo funds (promo funds expire after 7 days)
Peer-to-peer pick'em, Prediction market, Season-long, Pools
NFLCFBNBACBB+9States 31Min deposit —100% match on first Player Picks deposit, up to $100
Sports prediction markets in California
These exchanges are regulated federally by the CFTC rather than by the state, and several states are fighting them in court, so availability can change quickly. See the tracker for the latest rulings.
Prediction market
NFLCFBNBACBB+6States 48Min deposit $10No current offer listed
California DFS questions
Is daily fantasy legal in California?
Available. The major daily fantasy sites operate in California, which doesn't license DFS operators. DraftKings and FanDuel both offer salary-cap DFS in California, which has no law licensing or banning fantasy contests. In July 2025 the attorney general issued a non-binding opinion that paid DFS, including pick'em, is illegal sports betting; no enforcement has followed, and a federal judge is now weighing the question in a class action against DraftKings. Betr and Dabble offer house-style pick'em, and PrizePicks, Underdog and Sleeper run peer-to-peer versions. Players must be 18 or older.
Is PrizePicks or Underdog legal in California?
Pick'em in California: available. PrizePicks accepts players here, and Underdog does too. Products can differ by state, so check the app.
How old do you have to be to play DFS in California?
18 years old.
Which DFS sites can I use in California?
As of our last check: DraftKings, FanDuel, Splash Sports, PrizePicks, DraftKings Pick6, Underdog, Betr Picks, Dabble, ParlayPlay and Sleeper.
Is sports betting legal in California?
Not online: California doesn't have legal online sports betting. DFS is treated separately from sports betting.
Sources and corrections
Last checked Nov 2, 2026. We build every state page from the sources below and recheck them regularly. Laws and operator availability change; confirm in the app before you play.
This page summarizes public information and is not legal advice. Confidence in this summary: medium.