Can you play PokerStars in CA. What about Online poker operators? There are no. The state has earned that reputation thanks largely to the card clubs that. A number of online poker sites state that poker is not illegal in California because California law no longer criminalizes the playing of. Instead, Cali residents can. No, PokerStars isn't legal in California. Online poker is not yet allowed in California, meaning that the state doesn't issue licenses to poker operators. Online poker California is not legal, however, there are options. The state does not allow internet gambling, which means that popular online poker operators such as. California online poker FAQ . So yes, since online poker is played at home with the only gains being your winnings, it's perfectly legal. California does not currently have its own online poker industry. However, that doesn't prevent players from finding. Yes, home poker games are legal in California, as long as the host of the game doesn't take a rake from the pots or require any sort of fee from the players. The only sites available in California are offshore poker sites. . Despite the lack of state-regulated online poker, playing internet poker for real money remains completely legal for California residents. Only a handful of US states have legal online poker sites that are licensed to operate.