Are Super Bowl bets legal in California? Here’s what you need to know

As the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks prepare to face off at Super Bowl LX in California, can you put down some money on your favorite team?

Not officially, at least, according to state law.

Super Bowl LX kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The Seahawks face the Patriots in a repeat of the 2015 game, won 28–24 by the Patriots.

Legal bets on the game are expected to exceed $1.75 billion in the United States, Legal Sports Report said.

Here’s what to know about sports betting in California:

Is sports betting legal in California?

The short answer is no.

Both online and retail sports books are banned in California, Legal Sports Report said.

Accepting, placing or recording sports bets is a misdemeanor under state law.

You also can’t use online apps such as DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook or BetMGM for real-money sports betting in California.

Are there workarounds?

Some people have turned to prediction markets or fantasy football sites to scratch the Super Bowl betting urge, KTLA reported.

And, of course, nobody’s likely to investigate you for betting over who does the dishes for a week.

Have there been efforts to legalize sports betting in California?

In 2022, voters rejected two initiatives to allow and regulate sports betting in California.

Proposition 26 would have allowed tribal casinos and racetracks to accept in-person sports betting, the Legislative Analyst’s Office said.

Prop. 27 would have authorized tribes or gambling companies to offer online sports betting in the state, the office said.