California Tribes Make Surprising Move with Sports Betting Ballots

Both ballots list Reeve Collins, co-founder, and CEO of Pala Interactive, as the contact for media inquiries. Pala Interactive, initially established by the Pala Band of Mission Indians in 2013, was acquired by Boyd Gaming in November 2022.

The first proposal, named "The Sports Wagering Regulation and Tribal Gaming Protection Act," outlines a comprehensive plan for implementing sports betting within California tribes. It suggests amending Article IV, section 19 of the California constitution, making it mandatory for tribes to contribute 15% of their adjusted sports wagering gross gaming revenue (GGR) to the tribal sports wagering revenue sharing trust fund. Additionally, tribes would allocate 10% of their adjusted sports wagering GGR to the California homelessness and mental health fund. All sports betting advertising would be restricted to individuals aged 21 and over. Tribes must collaborate with licensed sports betting operators, approved by the California gaming agency and licensed by the Tribal Gaming Agency.

The second ballot proposal, titled "The Tribal Gaming Protection Act," advocates for sports betting exclusivity through California tribes.

Tribal leaders received a request from Pala Interactive to avoid speaking to the media until they've consulted with tribal leadership. Victor Rocha, conference chair at the Indian Gaming Association, criticized this move on social media, but David Strow, vice-president of corporate communications for Boyd Gaming Group, clarified that Pala Interactive (now Boyd Interactive) had no involvement in the filing.

The late filing of these proposed ballots is surprising, especially considering that voters rejected sports betting initiatives in California just last November. The November 2024 election, where these proposals will be put to a vote, is scheduled for November 5.

Throughout 2022, the idea of sports betting gained traction in California, with some support indicated in a February poll. In May, it was confirmed that a proposition to legalize sports betting would appear on the November 2022 ballots, alongside another initiative backed by tribal gaming groups known as the Tribal Sports Wagering Act Initiative. Despite these proposals, Democrats in California advised voters to reject sports betting initiatives, including the tribal proposal, but did not support the operator-backed Proposition 27. Ultimately, both proposals were voted down by Californian voters in November 2022.