Good news for California sports fans: Polymarket is totally legal in the Golden State right now, and they’re handing out a $25 bonus trading credit that you can use to get in on this week’s MLB playoff games! Yeah, you heard that right, October 2026 just got a whole lot more interesting for anyone looking to put their sports predictions to the test.
Polymarket Is Legit, Federally Approved, and Ready for Your Bets
So, is Polymarket legal in California? The answer is a resounding YES! As of October 2026, the Polymarket app and its website, polymarket.us, are fully licensed prediction markets. We’re not talking about some sketchy back-alley deal here; this platform is regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which is a federal government agency. That means it’s all above board, with the big dogs at the CFTC giving it their stamp of approval. It’s super important to know that this is the Polymarket US platform, not polymarket.com, which is that global cryptocurrency exchange that’s not legal or available here in the United States. Because Polymarket US is federally licensed, California is just one of many states where you can legally jump into the action.
How to Grab Your $25 Bonus and What You Can Trade
Alright, let’s talk about the sweet stuff. If you’re a new user in California, you can snag that $25 bonus trading credit. All you gotta do is register using the promo code **CBSSPORTS**, then make a deposit of $10 or more. Boom, $25 extra in your account! Just a heads-up, that initial $10 deposit needs to be used before you tap into the bonus credits, and those credits will expire after 30 days. They’re not cash you can just withdraw, transfer, or exchange; you’ve got to use ’em on the Polymarket US platform for trading. But here’s the cool part: any cash you earn from winning trades? That turns into withdrawable cash. If a trade goes south, your deposited funds cover the loss first, and any remaining bonus credit is still there for your next move.
Now, what can you actually trade on? They’ve got a ton of “event contracts,” and yes, that includes sports outcomes! We’re talking about legal trades on things like a Lakers victory or a Rams vs. 49ers outcome. And, since it’s October, you can definitely trade on this week’s MLB playoff games. Just so you know all your options, there’s another platform, Kalshi California, offering a $55 welcome bonus if you make $25 or more in trades. Polymarket’s offer is a solid deal for a smaller initial deposit, though.
So, if you’re 18 or older and ready to put your sports knowledge to the test and maybe snag some cash on those MLB playoff games and other big sports events, now’s the time. Don’t let that $25 bonus slip away! The action is live, grab your bonus and get in the game!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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