California Attorney General Bonta targets fantasy sports operators after legal opinion

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office will begin enforcement against daily fantasy sports (DFS) platforms operating in the state, following a July 3 legal opinion that found such platforms constitute illegal sports betting under state law.

"The next step is our enforcement, and laws are meant to be enforced," Bonta told KCRA 3.

The legal opinion determined that online daily fantasy sports contests involve wagering on the performance of athletes, qualifying them as sports betting under California law. Sports betting is currently not legal in the state.

In 2015, Bay Area Assemblyman Marc Levine requested then-Attorney General Kamala Harris to take action against sports betting websites. That request did not result in a formal opinion. Bonta noted that, unlike previous attorneys general, he received a formal request for an opinion, which triggered a legal obligation to respond.

"It's our duty, not our discretion, but we are mandated, we shall respond and provide an opinion as appropriately requested under the law," Bonta said. "We must, and we did."

Asked whether he would pursue enforcement against operators that continue to offer DFS in the state, Bonta replied, "Absolutely."

Tribal gaming groups from the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) have publicly supported the opinion. Earlier this month, they called on the state to “back up the legal opinion with strong enforcement and that lawbreakers be held to account.”

Campaign finance records show that CNIGA members have contributed $334,700 to Bonta over the course of his political career, including $71,800 in donations to his 2026 reelection campaign for attorney general.

According to records cited by KCRA 3, online fantasy sports platforms have not made political contributions to Bonta.