Gambling Online in Santa Barbara: Will the Legislation Change by 2023?

By Alfiya A.

Gambling activities are viral not only in the United States but also all over the globe. Many people choose to spend their free time doing entertaining things, like engaging in games, and many times they go for well-known casino games, like poker, roulette, or baccarat. Of course, the casino world does not include only popular games. It also has slots, sports betting, and unique variations for regular games.

Nowadays, people have many options to choose from when it comes to gambling. There are land-based casinos where players can sit at tables and enjoy their favorite games with an experienced dealer managing the activity. There are also online casino websites and apps.

The online gambling world is only expanding, with many brands and companies taking over and offering clients outstanding services. Of course, for online gambling services to grow safely and ensure customer satisfaction and protection, laws are required.

For Santa Barbara and, more specifically, for the entire California state, online gambling and betting are still illegal, yet that is subject to change. A public vote session will take place in November to assess this subject and decide which status online gambling will have on Californian territory, including Santa Barbara.

Here’s what changes this vote could mean for the casino industry and what it might imply:

What does legalizing online gambling means for Santa Barbara?

Currently, online gambling, including sports betting and games like online poker, roulette, or baccarat, are illegal. This means not only that players cannot engage in this type of activity, but it also means that online casinos and sports betting agencies cannot offer their services or legally function within California.

The voting ballot that was held in November had a few propositions regarding online gambling, but they didn’t pass. For now, residents of California can only engage in a few limited online gambling activities, like daily fantasy sports or horse racing betting.

Who will be able to bet, and who won’t

It’s very probable that if online gambling becomes legal in California, the laws on betting eligibility will be similar to those in other states like Nevada or Arizona. The minimum age to be able to bet will definitely be 21, as it is already stipulated in Proposition 26 and Proposition 27.

  When it comes to those who are not allowed to place bets due to conflicts of interest or ineligibility criteria, the following categories will very likely be included:

·       Professional athletes. Almost everywhere in the world, professional sports players are not allowed to engage in gambling activities. Of course, there are a few grey areas in some legislations, yet in general, athletes, coaches, and any other people who are part of a sports club or team cannot bet. This is because they could influence the results of some competitions if they were to earn money in return.

·       Workers for legislation organizations. Those involved in gambling legislation are not allowed to bet, considering they could have reasons to modify specific laws without having the citizens’ best interest at heart if they were able to place bets.

·       People with betting prohibitions. Some individuals are banned from participating in any gambling activity due to criminal records or specific criminal history.

·       People who opt for self-exclusion. Problem gambling is a reality, and many casinos offer solutions like self-exclusion. This means individuals who opt for self-exclusion can no longer bet for a certain period they have established.

What could the legal change mean for Santa Barbara land-based casinos?

As has been the case for other US states and Canada, the introduction of online gambling could translate into a drastic customer decrease for land-based casino establishments. Nowadays, numerous safe platforms feature online casinos to help players decide which sites are worth their time and money. If the law passes, we can expect several Santa Barbara gamblers to switch to the online alternative, following the guidelines elaborated by third-party testing platforms.

Reputable and licensed online casinos do have some incomparable advantages. For example, players can enjoy their favorite games easily, from home or on the go. They also offer an extensive catalog of games, including variations of popular casino games and slots with different visuals and themes.

Online gambling is still prohibited in California, including Santa Barbara County. The situation could change in the future, and if it does, this could mean that reputable brands could begin to operate in the state, offering more options for customers while ensuring the highest level of safety.