California Tribes Aim to Legalize Sports Betting by 2026 or 2028
Date: 2024-10-03 Author: Robert Beloved Categories: SPORTS BETTING
At the most recent CNIGA meeting, tribal leaders agreed to initiate a sports betting measure for the 2026 or 2028 ballot in hopes of legalizing gambling in California as soon as possible.
CNIGA Determined to Advance Gambling
A previously proposed measure, which was scheduled to appear on the ballot in 2024, faced stiff resistance from tribes. Private sponsors, tribal leaders said, were acting against tribal operators in order to gain their support.
The tribes have said they will vigorously oppose the measure, which will likely result in its failure. However, they warned that doing so would further slow down the prospect of legalizing sports betting in California.
The sponsors of the private initiative ultimately abandoned their plans, but difficult discussions continue. Tribes are divided on sports betting, fearing that it could open the door to broader iGaming expansion, including online casinos that could compete with their land-based establishments.
However, all CNIGA members agree that legalized gambling should be tribally led. While the tribes have yet to decide on a regulatory framework, they are confident that they can work through any issues that arise with the help of consultants and lawyers familiar with sports betting laws.
Any tribal-led sports betting initiative will need to unite the various tribes and convince their leaders that they will not lose their interests.
Tribes Must Come Together to Advance Gambling
Tribes are generally keen to maintain the status quo unless changes give them exclusive control over the potential sports betting market. Propositions 26 and 27, for example, failed in recent years precisely because tribes failed to show support and insisted on having a say in the legalization process.
Interestingly, operators who had previously supported some of the proposals have agreed to back down, acknowledging that legalizing sports betting in California requires tribal support.
At the same time, tribes are making legislative gains against card rooms they want to shut down, arguing that these establishments are using a legal loophole to operate their "player's bank games" to the detriment of tribes.
