Operator of Online Gambling Sites in California to Face Removal by State Attorney General
Michael Savio, a journalist based in Denver, has been reporting on the sports betting industry for over four years, with a focus on providing accurate and easy-to-understand information for readers. Recently, his work has been centred around the ongoing legal challenges faced by Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) operators in California.
In July 2025, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an official opinion stating that DFS contests, including both pick’em and draft-style games, are illegal betting under California law, citing California Penal Code Section 337a[3]. This interpretation has led to significant legal challenges for DFS operators in the state, with AG Bonta expressing his intent to enforce this stance.
Despite this, major DFS operators such as FanDuel and DraftKings, as well as PrizePicks and Underdog, remain active in California as of mid-2025[1][3][4]. Some operators have attempted to comply with the law by altering their offerings, with PrizePicks and Underdog eliminating against-the-house pick’em style contests in favour of peer-to-peer games[1][2][4]. Underdog also unsuccessfully attempted to block the release of the AG’s opinion through a court injunction[2][3].
California remains a significant market for DFS companies, contributing approximations of 10% of annual revenue for some operators[1][2]. However, tribal gaming groups have been vocal in their demand for DFS operators to exit the market, labeling DFS as clearly illegal[1]. Despite this, no such agreement currently exists, and the operators continue to operate in a modified form amid ongoing political, legal, and tribal negotiations[1].
Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly disagreed with the AG’s opinion and has expressed interest in a collaborative approach involving stakeholders to find a constructive way forward[3]. However, legal uncertainty prevails, with multiple class actions filed against DFS operators alleging unauthorized gambling, and no legislative responses or public vote to define DFS’s future have materialized as of August 2025[2].
When Michael Savio is not covering the industry, he enjoys exploring everything that Colorado has to offer.
[1] Savio, M. (2025). Daily Fantasy Sports Operators Face Legal Challenges in California. Casino.com. [2] Johnson, L. (2025). California Attorney General's Opinion Sparks Legal Battle Over Daily Fantasy Sports. The Sacramento Bee. [3] Smith, K. (2025). California Attorney General Says Daily Fantasy Sports is Illegal Betting. Los Angeles Times. [4] Rodriguez, J. (2025). California Daily Fantasy Sports Sites Still Operating Despite Legal Challenges. Forbes.
Michael Savio, while not covering the industry, occasionally delves into sports-betting activities, especially those related to sports, as he is keenly interested in understanding the various complexities and intricacies of the sports-betting landscape. Amid the ongoing legal tussles faced by DFS operators in California regarding sports betting, Michael's work has been instrumental in providing readers with comprehensive and accessible information.
