Best prediction market apps in California (2026 ranking)
Californians have no legal online sportsbook. Prediction markets are the federally regulated alternative. We've used every platform we cover. Rankings reflect regulation, fees, market range, deposits and withdrawals, and product quality for California residents.
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Our 2026 ranking for California
These are the prediction-market apps Californians can use in October 2026, in our order of preference: Kalshi, Polymarket US, ProphetX and OG. Novig is fifth. Rebet is not available in California and is not ranked.
Status as of October 3, 2026, for all five: Available, dispute pending. California has taken no enforcement action against the platforms, but Kalshi has switched off its markets on three tribes' lands after a September 16, 2026 Ninth Circuit ruling, and the Ninth Circuit's August 28, 2026 Nevada ruling binds California's federal courts.
California has no online sportsbook available, so these CFTC-regulated exchanges are how Californians can trade on sports.
Each entry shows who regulates the platform, whether California residents can use it, the current sign-up offer and when we last checked it.
New here? Our guide to California prediction markets explains what you can trade and how to start.
- 01K
- Regulation
- CFTC-regulated designated contract market
- California
- Available (dispute pending)
- Sign-up offer
- Trade $25 and Get $25! (code CAPREDICTS)
- 02P
- Regulation
- CFTC-regulated exchange
- California
- Available (dispute pending)
- Sign-up offer
- Deposit $10 get a $25 Trading Bonus! (code CAPREDICTS)
- 03P
- Regulation
- CFTC-designated contract market, sports-first
- California
- Available (dispute pending)
- Sign-up offer
- Trade $50, Earn $75! (code CAPREDICTS)
- 04O
- Regulation
- CFTC-regulated exchange (NADEX, doing business as OG.com Prediction Markets)
- California
- Available (dispute pending)
- Sign-up offer
- Trade $25 Get $50 in Rewards! (New users only) (code CAPREDICTS)
- 05N
- Regulation
- CFTC-designated exchange since June 16, 2026 (Ludlow Exchange, LLC), peer-to-peer sports
- California
- Available (dispute pending)
- Sign-up offer
- Deposit $10 Get $50 in Trade Credits! (code CAPREDICTS)
- —R
- Regulation
- Sweepstakes-model sports app, not a CFTC exchange
- California
- Not available in California
The order reflects regulation, the devices each platform works on, range of markets, deposits and withdrawals, and fees. Kalshi is first for most Californians because it covers politics, sports, economics and culture markets in one account, and takes bank transfer and debit card deposits.
Kalshi's, Polymarket US's and OG's minimum age is 18; we recommend 21+. ProphetX: 18 or the local age of majority. Novig: 21.
Our pick for each type of trader
No single platform is best for everyone. These picks come from the same tests as the ranking, and each one lists its main drawback.
Best for beginners
Kalshi
Kalshi works on iPhone, Android and the web, takes bank and debit card deposits, and covers politics, sports, economics and culture markets in one account.
Drawback: It charges a per-contract fee, shown before you confirm an order. Not available in Michigan, Nevada or Washington state.
Sign up at Kalshi (opens in a new tab)Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at kalshi.com/tc/500. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.
Best for politics and news
Polymarket US
Polymarket US covers politics, news, culture and sports markets in its app.
Sign up at Polymarket US (opens in a new tab)18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See polymarket.com/tos for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing organization.
Best for sports
ProphetX
ProphetX is a sports-first exchange where you trade against other people.
Drawback: Built around sports: check the app for other markets. Not available in Nevada.
Sign up at ProphetX (opens in a new tab)New users only. T&Cs apply. ProphetX's minimum age is 18 (or the local age of majority if higher); we recommend 21+. Not available in Nevada. Trading involves risk.
Biggest sign-up offer
ProphetX
Trade $50, Earn $75! (code CAPREDICTS). It is the largest sign-up offer we list for California.
Drawback: For new customers only, and you must meet the offer's conditions before the bonus is paid. Read the terms below.
Sign up at ProphetX (opens in a new tab)New users only. T&Cs apply. ProphetX's minimum age is 18 (or the local age of majority if higher); we recommend 21+. Not available in Nevada. Trading involves risk.
Best if you already use Crypto.com
OG (by Crypto.com)
OG is the event-contract product from Crypto.com. It covers sports, crypto and economics markets and accepts California residents.
Drawback: Fewer politics markets than Kalshi or Polymarket US.
Sign up at OG (opens in a new tab)Paid partnership with OG. Terms and conditions apply. Trading derivatives involves risk and may not be appropriate for all. Availability subject to jurisdictional limitations. For more information, visit: OG.com.
Best for setting your own price
Novig
Novig is a peer-to-peer sports exchange: you set the price you want and are matched with other traders.
Drawback: Sports only and built for experienced traders. Not available in Arizona, Michigan or Nevada.
Sign up at Novig (opens in a new tab)Restrictions & requirements apply. Not available in all states. 21+. Event contract trading involves risk & is not appropriate for all. Consider if it's appropriate for you in light of financial circumstances. See novig.com/terms for information.
All platforms
9 listings
Kalshi
CFTC-designated contract market. Works on iPhone, Android and the web.
Politics Sports Economics Culture
Trade $25 and Get $25! Code CAPREDICTS
Polymarket US
CFTC-regulated exchange.
Politics Culture Sports News
Deposit $10 get a $25 Trading Bonus! Code CAPREDICTS
Read Polymarket US review Sign up at Polymarket US (opens in a new tab)
ProphetX
Sports-first exchange where you trade against other people. Not available in Nevada.
Sports Peer-to-peer NFL NBA
Trade $50, Earn $75! Code CAPREDICTS
Read ProphetX review Sign up at ProphetX (opens in a new tab)
OG (by Crypto.com)
CFTC-regulated exchange (NADEX, doing business as OG.com Prediction Markets). Trade $25 Get $50 in Rewards! (New users only)
Crypto Sports Macro
Trade $25 Get $50 in Rewards! (New users only) Code CAPREDICTS
Read OG (by Crypto.com) review Sign up at OG (by Crypto.com) (opens in a new tab)
Novig
Set your own price. Peer-to-peer sports event contracts. California: Available (dispute pending).
Sports Sharp Peer-to-peer
Deposit $10 Get $50 in Trade Credits! Code CAPREDICTS
Not available in California
Rebet
Sweepstakes-model sports app, not a CFTC exchange.
Social Sports Mobile-first Travel-only
Rebet does not accept California residents. For sports event contracts, ProphetX does.
Not a prediction-market exchange
Sleeper
A fantasy sports app. It is not a CFTC-regulated exchange.
Sports Social NFL NBA
Read Sleeper review Try ProphetX instead (opens in a new tab)
Not a prediction-market exchange
Chalkboard
A daily fantasy pick'em app. It is not a CFTC-regulated exchange.
Sports Player Props NBA NFL
Read Chalkboard review Try ProphetX instead (opens in a new tab)
Robinhood Event Contracts
Event contracts offered inside the Robinhood app.
Sports Politics Macro Brokerage
Read Robinhood Event Contracts review Try Kalshi instead (opens in a new tab)
How we rank
We rank on five things:
- Regulation and California availability (25%): who regulates the platform and whether California residents can open an account.
- Fees and order fills (25%): trading, deposit and withdrawal fees, and how our test orders were filled.
- Market range and liquidity (20%): how many markets are live and how much trading there is on the main contracts.
- Deposits and withdrawals (15%): which payment methods work and how long the money takes to arrive.
- App quality and support (15%): app stability, the website, and how support answered a test request.
The sign-up offer is shown for each platform but does not count toward the ranking.
Tested by Catie Di Stefano, who opened and funded an account on each ranked platform with her own money (about $200 each), placed roughly 10 to 50 real trades depending on the platform, and withdrew. The full process is on our methodology page.
We earn a commission when you open an account through the links on this page. That is how this site is funded. See our affiliate disclosure.
When each platform was last checked
- Kalshi: October 3, 2026
- Polymarket US: October 3, 2026
- ProphetX: October 3, 2026
- OG (by Crypto.com): October 3, 2026
- Novig: October 3, 2026
- Rebet: October 3, 2026
Check the facts yourself
- CFTC list of designated contract markets (opens in a new tab)
The federal regulator's own list of exchanges allowed to offer event contracts.
- California Attorney General: gambling in California (opens in a new tab)
The state's own summary of what counts as legal gambling in California.
- Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.) (opens in a new tab)
The federal law these exchanges operate under. Courts are still deciding how far it overrides state gambling law.
Fees, state lists and offer terms come from each operator's own fee schedule and terms, which we read during testing.
Frequently asked questions
Which platform is best for California beginners?
Kalshi is our pick for beginners: it works on iPhone, Android and the web, takes bank and debit card deposits, and covers a wide mix of markets. Kalshi is #1 on our scorecard, Polymarket US is #2, and ProphetX is #3 and our pick for sports.
Which platform has the lowest fees?
It depends on the market. ProphetX and Novig match you with other traders, so there is no house margin in the price. Kalshi charges a per-contract fee that is shown before you confirm an order, and the Polymarket US app also shows its fee on each order. Always check the fee and the gap between buy and sell prices before you trade.
Can Californians use Polymarket?
Available, dispute pending (as of October 13, 2026). Polymarket US is a CFTC-regulated app available in 49 states plus D.C., including California, for users 18 and older (we recommend 21+). It trades in US dollars, and new users who deposit $10 get a $25 trading bonus.
Which platform is best for sports?
ProphetX is our sports pick: a sports-first exchange with peer-to-peer pricing. Novig suits experienced traders who want to set their own price. Kalshi and Polymarket list sports alongside politics and economics.
Already have Kalshi? Add a second app
- OG: Trade $25 Get $50 in Rewards! (New users only) (code
CAPREDICTS) · 42 states + D.C. Claim on OG (opens in a new tab)
Paid partnership with OG. Terms and conditions apply. Trading derivatives involves risk and may not be appropriate for all. Availability subject to jurisdictional limitations. For more information, visit: OG.com. - ProphetX: Trade $50, Earn $75! (code
CAPREDICTS) · 49 states + D.C. Claim on ProphetX (opens in a new tab)
New users only. T&Cs apply. ProphetX's minimum age is 18 (or the local age of majority if higher); we recommend 21+. Not available in Nevada. Trading involves risk.
21+ · T&Cs apply · Terms
Certain limitations apply. The offer is available to new users only, subject to the terms and conditions at kalshi.com/tc/500. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information.