How to Bet on the Super Bowl in California

Many wonder how to bet on the Super Bowl in California, given that traditional sportsbooks remain unregulated in the Golden State. But the rise of federally regulated prediction markets has dramatically changed how fans can get money down on the game’s outcome.

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The New Way to Play: California Prediction Markets

In 2026, one of the most popular ways to play the Super Bowl in California isn’t through traditional sportsbooks; it’s by using a prediction market.

Prediction markets differ quite significantly from traditional sportsbooks. Typically referred to as event trading, this method moves away from the usual betting against the house and instead uses a peer-to-peer exchange model that looks and feels similar to the stock market.

Regulatory peace of mind

One of the key advantages of opting for a platform like Kalshi in California is its legal status.

Offshore sportsbooks operate in a legal gray area, and that can spell trouble because consumers don’t have the same level of protection that they would get from a regulated site.

Kalshi, on the other hand, is a designated contract market that’s fully regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), so it’s safe for California residents to use.

With Kalshi, deposits are held under the same stringent requirements as a brokerage like E*TRADE or Robinhood. It’s also worth noting that the exchange has no skin in the game. It’s a neutral middleman, so it’s quite different to a bookie that needs to make a profit.

Market-driven odds can offer better value

Traditional sportsbooks use odds set by analysts and calculated to include a 5–10% margin. In a prediction market, prices are set by the users.

Say, for example, you think the Seahawks have a 70% chance of winning. You might opt to buy a ‘Yes’ contract for $0.70. If they win, that contract pays out $1.00. Because the prices adjust based on supply and demand between real people, you will often find that Kalshi Super Bowl odds are more favorable than those you might find at a sportsbook.

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Pro Tip: There’s no house edge with a prediction market, because it isn’t factoring in a profit margin like a bookie would

Trade the game for total flexibility

A key feature of prediction markets is that traders can exit early. With traditional betting, money is usually locked in until an outcome is known.

Prediction markets differ because they allow traders to treat their Super Bowl picks like stocks. Here’s how it works:

1. Buy Low: Purchase ‘Yes’ contracts for your team at $0.45 before kickoff.
2. The Shift: Your team scores a touchdown on the opening drive, and the market price jumps to $0.75.
3. Sell High: You can sell your contracts immediately to lock in a profit, regardless of who eventually wins the game.

As you can see, trading via prediction markets offers a more dynamic way to trade on events like the Super Bowl. The way they work also means there are often opportunities to take advantage of better value picks, as prices rise and fall with fan sentiment.

Prediction markets are fast becoming the go-to regulated betting alternative for Californians looking for a legal way to trade on the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl Prediction Markets Available Now

On Kalshi, you can trade traditional outcome contracts for the Seahawks vs. Patriots matchup, including tiered spreads, game totals and specific player touchdown props.

Beyond the field, the platform offers a whole range of different novelty markets, where you can trade on everything from the first song performed by Bad Bunny during the halftime show to the number of times a celebrity is mentioned during the broadcast.

Daily Fantasy and Social Sportsbooks in California

The landscape for daily fantasy and social betting in California has shifted significantly since the beginning of this year. With traditional sportsbooks still unavailable, some fans have turned to the DFS Pick’em model as one way of engaging with Super Bowl player props.

Unlike traditional fantasy where you build a full roster, the Pick’em model (made popular via apps like Underdog Fantasy and DraftKings Pick6) feels more similar to traditional prop betting.

Instead of betting against a point spread, bettors make higher/lower or more/less predictions on specific player statistics. So for the Super Bowl, options might include:

Player	Category	Line	Type
Sam Darnold	Passing Touchdowns	1.5	Higher/Lower
Drake Maye	Rushing Yards	32.5	More/Less
Kenneth Walker III	Anytime Touchdowns	0.5	Higher/Lower
Jaxon Smith-Njigba	Receiving Yards	94.5	More/Less

To win, players need to string together several of these picks in a single entry (similar to a parlay). The more picks combined, the higher the potential payout.

Social sportsbooks in California

As of January 1, 2026, the legal status of social sportsbooks in California has changed.

Under Assembly Bill 831, California prohibited the use of social sportsbooks and sweepstakes-style platforms that use a dual-currency model to award cash prizes.

For Californians looking for legal ways to bet on the Super Bowl this year, federally regulated prediction markets like Kalshi and established DFS providers are now the main options.

How to Trade on Kalshi: A Guide to Prediction Markets in California

Getting started on a prediction market like Kalshi is a little different from joining a gambling site. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up an account and start trading on prediction markets ahead of the Super Bowl.

1. Select a Platform

Choose a regulated exchange. While several offshore prediction sites exist, Kalshi is the go-to, fully regulated, legal option for Californians in 2026. You can access it via the mobile app or desktop site.

2. Verify Your Identity

To comply with financial laws, those opening a new account with Kalshi or similar prediction markets must verify their identity.

You can expect to be asked for your legal name, address, date of birth, and valid ID, like a driver's license or a passport. Most new users are then approved instantly.

3. Deposit & Trade

Once verified, you can fund your account and enter the market. Fund your account by linking a bank account via Instant ACH, for immediate access to funds. Alternatively, you can opt to use a debit card or USDC.

As soon as funds appear in your account, you can place your first trade. Search for Super Bowl to see all available contracts and choose your contracts. You can either buy contracts at the current market prices or set a limit order to buy only if the price drops below a certain point.

The Current Legal Landscape in California

California’s journey towards comprehensive, regulated online sports betting has been a long and winding one. The legal situation here is hugely complex, with tribal gaming compacts and legislative hurdles aplenty.

The sheer size of the state and the power that its tribal casinos hold mean that any change to sports betting laws here will require extensive negotiation and voter approval.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen numerous ballot initiatives try and fail, with tribal groups keen to protect their exclusive gaming rights.

Discussions are still ongoing, but we can’t see legal sports betting launching in California for some time. Read our California sports betting guide for the latest on the legal landscape in the state.

California Sports Betting: What's Legal vs. Pending (2026)

FAQs: How to Bet on the Super Bowl in California

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