With the rapid expansion of iGaming across several U.S. states, many eyes have turned to California. As the most populous state in America, several senior executives in the world of iGaming believe California has the potential to be a future iGaming hotspot.
The reality of the situation is that iGaming in all its guises remains wholly prohibited in The Golden State. Land-based card rooms and tribal casinos are currently allowed, along with charitable gaming and parimutuel horse racing betting, but iGaming is not yet on the table.
However, recent developments in states like Rhode Island and Michigan may shift the landscape over time. Rhodes Island became the seventh state to legalize iGaming in 2023. This milestone sparked further discussions and speculation on the potential for California to follow suit.
Should they do so, several multi-state iGaming brands would surely express an interest in entering the Californian market.
Which market leading iGaming brands would be keen to serve California?
Borgata is a well-respected and well-established iGaming brand. Borgata first came to light as a land-based casino resort in New Jersey’s Atlantic City, before securing a license to operate in New Jersey’s regulated iGaming market. It has since expanded its online casino services into the Pennsylvania market too, succeeding in two of the largest iGaming markets in the U.S. today.
Its welcome bonus is also considered one of the most competitive in the country. Platforms like Oddschecker make available such bonuses and offers to all players for sites like Borgata. For example, you can click here to read more details on the $100 no deposit bonus codes that multiple casinos offer for use by American players.
Both FanDuel Casino and DraftKings Casino would also be likely to feature heavily in the conversation surrounding iGaming operators in California. FanDuel and DraftKings initially made their name in the daily fantasy sports industry, before expanding their services into traditional sports betting and online casino gaming.
FanDuel is owned by Flutter Entertainment, one of the largest iGaming organizations on the planet, so it would be a strong addition. Meanwhile DraftKings is another large iGaming brand and US-listed on the stock market, potentially giving it broader appeal to Californians.
BetMGM is another name to look out for. This iGaming brand and online sportsbook was spawned as part of a new commercial partnership between MGM Resorts International and Entain, a British iGaming conglomerate which owns iconic gambling brands such as Ladbrokes and Coral. By fusing its gaming expertise, BetMGM is on track to becoming another major iGaming powerhouse in the U.S.
It already boasts a comprehensive portfolio of games, and a single account makes it possible to switch between their online casino and sportsbook portals too. It could be a formidable competitor in a thriving Californian market.
Caesars Palace is one of the most iconic casino brands on the planet. Famed for its plush and prestigious casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace needs precious little introduction for most Californians. It was launched as a re-skinned version of the old William Hill platform, which was acquired by Caesars Entertainment in 2021.
At a cost of $4 billion, it was clear to see that Caesars Entertainment could see the potential in having its own branded iGaming platform. At the time of writing, Caesars Palace Casino is now live in four U.S. states – New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The road to legalizing iGaming looks long for California
There are plenty of challenges and hurdles to overcome before Californians can look forward to a regulated and legal iGaming market. There’s multiple political considerations, as well as potential opposition from California’s 61 land-based tribal casino operators, who operate under the terms of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. They may not be on board without a chance to launch their own iGaming platforms.
Nevertheless, the potential for multi-state iGaming brands to seek entry to the Californian market is real. It would likely spur competition and innovation, benefiting consumers with a wider range of gaming options and promotional offers.
It’s said that the land-based casino industry in California generates around $8 billion in annual revenue after payouts. If iGaming can come anywhere close to these figures it will become one of the biggest markets in the world, let alone the U.S.
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