Best California Casino Bonuses & Offers of 2024

Best Legal California Casino Bonuses

While real-money casinos are not currently legal in California, social casinos and sweepstakes casinos are. These apps and sites look and function how real-money operators do except you don't have to risk any of your own money. We've laid out our favorite social  and sweepstakes sites and their California casino bonuses below.

As you can see from this table, there are some great social casino bonuses up for grabs in California. Now let's take a look at each one in more detail.

High 5 Casino

Live since 1995 and known as one of the best social casinos in the world, High 5 brings the heat when it comes to promotions, free sweepstake coins games, and a whole lot of fun. 

• No Purchase Bonus: 600 Diamonds, 250 Game Coins + 5 Sweepstakes Coins
• Daily Bonus: Players who sign in each day will get a number of Gold Coins and sometimes some Sweepstake Coins
• Minimum Purchase Bonus: No purchase required

Voted EGR 2023 Social Gaming Operator of the Year, High 5 Casino is a great option for players looking to take advantage of a range of promotions. At High 5, you get access to ongoing promos such as a daily login bonus, VIP club, Refer-a-friend bonuses, and spin-the-wheel games that reward players with sweeps coins.

High 5 players have access to hundreds of exclusive top-rate slot titles as well as live dealer games, all of which are accessible via High 5's great mobile app.

Get Up To 200 GC + 40 SC + 100 Diamonds

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Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply.

McLuck

You won't be able to find real money California casino bonuses just yet so the next best thing is this fantastic McLuck bonus. This social and sweepstakes casino offers free play social casino games, sweepstakes coins you can exchange for cash prizes, and no deposit bonuses.

• No Purchase Bonus: 57,500 Gold Coins + 27.5 Sweepstakes Coins
• Daily Bonus: 2,500 Gold Coins + up to 2.0 Sweepstakes Coins
• Minimum Purchase Bonus: 150% more Gold Coins + 25 Sweepstakes Coins

When you use our sign-up link, you'll receive a no deposit bonus worth 57,500 Gold Coins and 27.5 Sweepstakes coins. These deals not only mirror what you'd get at a real money casino, but they also allow you to sample McLuck's 300+ games without spending a cent. That, for us, is a positive because this mobile-friendly platform has free-play versions of every big hit from NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, and Big Time Gaming.

Get Up To 57,000 Gold Coins + FREE 27.5 Sweepstakes Coins

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Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply.

Pulsz

For users who will be playing regularly, Pulsz has one of the best social setups of all the operators listed here.

• No Purchase Bonus: 5,000 Gold Coins + 2.3 Sweepstakes Coins
• Daily Bonus: Varies
• First Purchase Bonus: $19.99 for 362,000 GC + 30 FREE SC

Pulsz doesn't offer a standard welcome bonus like you may find at regular real-money casinos. At the time of this writing, you'll receive 5,000 Gold Coins and 2.3 Sweepstakes Coins when you sign up using our link. You can also claim a daily login bonus to grab an additional 2,500 Gold Coins. You'll then be offered the opportunity to purchase 362,000 Gold Coins for only $19.99 which is a massive 66% discount. Even better? Your purchase also comes with 30 FREE Sweepstakes Coins.

Get Up To 367,000 Gold Coins + 32.3 FREE Sweepstakes Coins

Promo Code: BCALI

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Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

WOW Vegas

If it's fun and entertainment you are looking for then WOW Vegas is one of the best options. Here, users have a safe place to enjoy over 480 games by top software providers like Betsoft, Pragmatic Play, and many more.

• No Purchase Bonus: 5,000 WOW Coins + 1 Free Sweepstakes Coin
• Daily Bonus: Prize Drops
• Minimum Purchase Bonus: $9.99

New players at WOW Vegas Casino can claim a welcome bonus package for just $9.99. With this minimum purchase, you'll receive 1.5 million WOW Coins and 30 Sweepstakes Coins. Usually, this package would cost $29.99, but with the huge discount on offer, it's an equivalent bonus of 200%! Alternatively, you can take advantage of an ever larger bonus with our exclusive $24.99 package which includes 3 million WOW Coins and 55 FREE Sweepstakes Coins.

WOW offers quite a unique loyalty program in that it enrolls regular players automatically. You’ll earn 1 Star for every 50 Sweepstakes Coins you wager on slots.

1.5 Million WOW Coins + 35 Free Sweepstakes Coins For $9.99

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Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

BetRivers.net

BetRivers.net social casino doesn't offer Sweeps play, meaning you won't be able to exchange coins for cash prizes. So, why would you join BetRivers.net if you are looking for a real casino California residents can use? Simple, it's the sister site of BetRivers, one of the leading real money casino and sports betting platforms in America. This also means you can place bets using your virtual credits, allowing you to get acquainted with what the process is like until California sports betting is officially here.

• No Purchase Bonus: $250 in virtual credits
• Daily Bonus: Chance to win up to $1,000 in virtual credits plus claim virtual credits once every four hours
• Minimum Purchase Bonus: $1.99

BetRivers.net social casino players are given the chance to win up to $1,000 in virtual credits every day when signing up. You can also earn Play Points simply by playing your favorite games. Visit the Rewards Center to redeem the points for scratch cards and wheel spins. You can also earn scratchers and spins by entering contests.

$1,000 Spin to Win Virtual Credits Everyday

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Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs apply.

Expected California Online Casino Bonuses

California residents are in for a treat when the state's legislature finally gives gambling approval. We're going to take a look at some of the best welcome bonuses from top online real-money casino operators in other states. Remember - it's not yet known what each operator will do when it comes to California, so this is more of a guide for what you could expect.

BetMGM Casino Bonus

The BetMGM Casino bonus can vary between states but the most common promo is the 100$ deposit match up to $1,000. In short, the casino matches your initial deposit amount with the same amount in bonus funds.

• Sign Up Bonus: 100% deposit match up to $1,000 + $25 On the House
• Bonus Code: TBD
• Win Rate: 90-98%
• Payout Time: 1-5 Business Days

There is a very low 1x wagering requirement on the bonus funds but it's worth remembering that online poker and sports betting DO NOT contribute to that playthrough requirement. Slots, Jackpot Slots, Scratch Cards, Fixed Odds Games, and Virtual Games contribute 100% towards wagering. Table Games, Roulette, Live Dealer, Video Poker, Baccarat, and Craps contribute 20%, and Blackjack counts for 10%.

Caesars Palace Online Casino Bonus

Thanks to a complete revamp of their casino site, Caesars Palace online is now one of the best places to enjoy your favorite casino games. You'll also find the largest deposit match bonus with Caesars as well.

• Sign Up Bonus: $2,500 Deposit Match
• Bonus Code: TBD
• Win Rate: Up to 97.8%
• Payout Time: 1-5 Business Days

Although the $2,500 deposit match is by far the largest you'll find among online casino bonuses, there is one downside with this operator. The wagering requirements are more severe than its competitors. If you play slots, you’ll need to play through the bonus amount 5 times, video poker 10 times, and 25 times on all other games. 

FanDuel Casino Bonus

The FanDuel Casino bonus is a two-parter. First, a $10 deposit lands you 50 bonus spins. Then, you can get up to $1,000 back if you're down after your first day. This allows you to try out the operator and figure out which games you enjoy most with a bit of insurance in case of losses.

• Sign Up Bonus: Deposit $10, Get 50 Bonus Spins and up to $1,000 Back
• Bonus Code: TBD
• Win Rate: Up to 96.6%
• Payout Time: 1-5 Business Days

The most important detail to know about the $1,000 back casino welcome bonus is that it only covers your first 24 hours. Once your account is active, the clock starts. If you end the day with a net loss, you will receive a refund in the form of site credit.

DraftKings Casino Bonus

Similar to many other operators on our list, the DraftKings Casino bonus lands you a 100% deposit match worth up to $2,000.

• Sign Up Bonus: 100% Deposit Match up to $2,000
• Bonus Code: TBD
• Win Rate: Up to 98%
• Payout Time: 1-5 Business Days

As with all deposit matches, your bonus will be deposited to your account as site credits. Although this match is higher than competing sites, there is a 15x wagering requirement to meet before you withdraw winnings, and that playthrough requirement applies to both your deposit and your bonus funds. It's quite a high playthrough requirement but not so high that you stand no chance of ever realizing the full potential of the promo.

Golden Nugget Casino Bonus

With nearly 1,300 casino games and 20 live games to choose from, you'll have plenty of options when using your $1,000 deposit match Golden Nugget bonus.

• Sign Up Bonus: 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000
• Bonus Code: TBD
• Win Rate: 97.12%
• Payout Time: 1-5 Business Days

As you've seen with other casino bonuses, a key issue is the playthrough requirement and that is no different here. A 1x playthrough on free spins profit is fine, but 10X your deposit + bonus is an effective rate of 20X. It's also important to pay attention to how long you have to reach the playthrough requirement which can make them difficult to reach.

BetRivers Casino Bonus

Twinned with several well-established retail casinos across the US, the BetRivers mobile casino site offers a safe and reputable experience for players.

• Sign Up Bonus: 100% Deposit Match up to $250
• Bonus Code: TBD
• Win Rate: Up to 97%
• Payout Time: 1-5 Business Days

The BetRivers Casino welcome bonus varies from state to state but their standard promo is a 100% deposit match up to $250, with a minimum deposit of $50. It's not the most dazzling of welcome bonuses but its major draw is the fact that it carries just a 1x wagering requirement and you've got 30 days to do so.

Hard Rock Bet Casino Bonus

If you're looking to score free spins, look no further than the Hard Rock Bet Casino bonus.

• Sign Up Bonus: 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 + 1,000 free spins
• Bonus Code: TBD
• Win Rate: Up to 99%
• Payout Time: 1-5 Business Days

Deposit at least $20 into your new Hard Rock Bet Casino account and you will unlock a mega 1,000 free spins that can be used on the day's featured slot game. Earnings from the free spins carry a 1x wagering requirement. Slots contribute 100% to that requirement but table games and video poker only count for 20%, which means you'll need to play through 5x as much as you would on slots. You also get a deposit match of up to $1,000, which carries a 20x wagering requirement before it becomes withdrawable dollars.

How To Claim A California Online Casino Bonus

To claim an online casino bonus in California, you can follow these general steps:

1. Choose a Reputable Casino: Select a licensed and reputable casino that operates in California.
2. Create an Account: Sign up for an account on the casino's website. Provide accurate information during the registration process.
3. Verify Your Identity: Some casinos may require identity verification before allowing you to claim bonuses.
4. Deposit (if required): If the bonus is a deposit match or requires an initial deposit, fund your casino account using the accepted payment methods.
5. Navigate to Promotions: Once logged in, go to the promotions or bonuses section on the casino's website. This is where you'll find details about available bonuses.
6. Read Terms and Conditions: Carefully read the terms and conditions associated with the bonus you're interested in. Pay attention to wagering requirements, eligible games, and other relevant details.
7. Claim the Bonus: Follow the instructions to claim the bonus. This might involve clicking a button, entering a promo code, or opting in for the promotion.
8. Play Responsibly: Once the bonus is credited, you can start playing the eligible games. Remember to gamble responsibly and within your means.
9. Fulfill Wagering Requirements: If there are wagering requirements, play through the required amount to make the bonus and associated winnings eligible for withdrawal.

How Do California Casino Bonuses Work?

California online casino bonuses work similarly to those in other regions. Typically, casinos offer bonuses to attract new customers. Here are the key details to know about how they work.

Code or No Code

Not every casino that is online requires a bonus code to access the bonus. However, if there is one, it's important that you use it because if you don't you forfeit your chance to claim what could be thousands of dollars in bonus funds.

Check the Bonus Expiration

Nearly all bonuses have an expiration date. It's usually a couple of weeks or a month, but either way, it's important that you know how long you have to play through bonus funds. Once the bonus period comes to an end, those bonus funds will disappear if you haven't met the playthrough requirement.

Wagering Requirements 

Playthrough requirements, often referred to as wagering requirements or rollover amount, detail how many times you need to play through your bonus funds before you can even think about withdrawing them. For example, a 10x play-through requirement on a $100 bonus means that you will need to bet $1,000 before those bonus funds turn into cash that you can keep.

It's also worth noting that the playthrough requirement of some welcome bonuses applies to the deposit amount (your cash) as well as the bonus funds. I recommend trying to avoid these sorts of deals because the amount you'll have to gamble can get out of hand quickly.

Game Contribution Rates

Game contribution rates, also known as game weightings or game percentages, are percentages assigned to different types of casino games that determine how much they contribute towards fulfilling the wagering requirements of a bonus. The higher the contribution rate, the faster the bonus can be cleared.

Slots, for example, usually have a high contribution rate, often 100%. This means that if you wager $1 on a slot game, the full $1 will count towards clearing the wagering requirement. For table games, the contribution rate is much lower (5-25%).

Eligible Games

The most common eligible games for casino bonuses can vary from one casino site to another. However, there are several types of games that are frequently eligible for bonuses, the most common being Slots. Slots are the highest contributing games for casino bonuses. Many casinos allow players to use their bonus funds on a wide selection of slot games. However, it's worth bearing in mind that some free spin bonuses often only apply to one specific slot game. As we said above, it's super important that you check the T&Cs.

Winning Caps

Some casinos apply a maximum cap on how much a player can win. The most common bonuses that have this restriction are 'no deposit' and 'free spin' bonuses. Again, check the small print for details.

Restricted Payment Methods

Finally, it is also important that you check whether a particular payment method is excluded from a bonus, which is sometimes the case. For example, a casino might decide that a PayPal deposit doesn't make a player eligible for a particular bonus offer. Always check!

Claiming a California Casino Promo in 2024

Hopefully, you've found this page helpful for finding out what legal California online casino bonuses are available to you as well as how to claim them. For the time being, social casino and sweepstakes casino sites are the only legal options in the Golden State. Although real-money casinos could become available in the future, it likely won't be any time soon. With California's tribal nations controlling all gaming, it's difficult to see a scenario in which they would allow traditional mobile casinos to operate in the state.

Author

Gavin Beech

@gavin_beech

Gavin Beech has worked in the betting industry for almost 20 years and is a hugely experienced horse racing journalist, sports betting content writer and tipster. He has worked for some of the biggest online operators around, notably MailOnline and the Racing Post, where he is a regular on the Live Tipster slot.