The online gaming market in the US is worth billions of dollars every year and as the most populated state with the biggest sub-national economy in the world, California plays a big part in that.
With 2025 promising to be an exciting year with the release of games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Grand Theft Auto VI, we take a look at the games that Californians enjoyed throughout 2024.
Online Slots
California has the largest Indian Gaming industry in the US with 5 mini-casinos and 76 casinos worth over $9 billion per year. Despite this, online casinos are not legal in the state. However, this has not stopped savvy gamers from finding a loophole.
Online casino expert Dominic Field explains that legislation only prohibits the operation of online casinos within state lines. This means that those looking for California online casinos can easily access offshore sites, with the most popular games being slots.
There is a wide selection for consumers to choose from, with fun and exciting themed games like Cleopatra, Book of Dead, and Starburst. State-of-the-art technology provides fully immersive gaming thanks to great graphics and gameplay, and the opportunity to win big is always possible with progressive jackpots.
Progressive jackpot slots see prize money start from a pre-defined amount, growing every time the game is played until someone wins it. One lucky Californian scooped a progressive jackpot of $39.7 million in 2003 on a trip to Vegas.
The gamification of online casino games has seen the introduction of enticing bonus-level action that has improved gameplay, making slot games one of the most popular options among Californians of age.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Released in May of 2023, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the latest installment from the Zelda franchise which dates back to 1986. The plot of this game has been hailed as one of the best of any Zelda game, and players search for Princess Zelda as Link and battle against Ganondorf.
Reviews have been varied, but that hasn’t stopped diehard fans from enjoying the much-loved characters from the classic game.
Minecraft
While many new games focus on graphics to dazzle their fans, Mincraft’s blocky, retro style has seen it become the best-selling game ever with more than 300 million units being sold since it was initially released in 2011.
The game focuses on exploration and creation but also offers various different modes where players can fight, team up with, or compete against other players.
Defined as a sandbox survival title, Minecraft has been near the top of the charts for over a decade now, and things don’t look to be changing any time soon with new audiences being drawn in and investing in the extensive selection of merch that goes along with it.
Fortnite
One of the biggest appeals for fans of Fortnite is that the game is free to play. Of course, players can spend money on the game, but since its 2017 release, its accessibility has been a driving force.
Several different versions have been released since with players collaborating in open-world environments to survive against computer-generated characters or other live players.
Players can also choose to compete in single-player mode, and its versatility has been key to its prolonged success.
League of Legends
Since 2009, League of Legends has been one of the most popular multiplayer games with players attempting to destroy the base of their opponents. The game combines battle, RPG, and strategy aspects to create an immersive and exciting gaming experience.
Conclusion
It is almost a foregone conclusion that GTA VI will rocket to the top of most charts if Rockstar releases it in 2025, but there are lots of other great titles emerging that will have most of the year to compete before it does. News that the game may not get released until 2026 could prove helpful for titles with a 2025 release schedule.
While many players eagerly await new releases, the top titles among Californian gamers are established games that have already proven themselves.
