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Efforts to legalize sports betting in California have come to a halt, with the key proponents withdrawing their proposed ballot initiative. This development means Californians might have to wait until the next state legislative session, held biennially, for any new sports betting legislation.
The initiative’s withdrawal follows a lack of support from the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) and other tribal groups. CNIGA, representing 52 federally recognized tribal governments, had a significant influence in the decision-making process.
Last month, CNIGA issued a statement formally opposing the sports betting initiatives. This included a proposal with an amendment to redirect tax funds to both gaming and non-gaming tribes. Despite the amendment, the tribal groups vehemently opposed the initiatives.
CNIGA Chairman James Siva was relieved at the withdrawal of the initiatives: “We are pleased that in the face of widespread tribal opposition, the backers of two initiatives have kept their word and withdrawn what we could only regard as a cynical attempt to legalize sports wagering and online betting in California. These initiatives attempted to use tribes’ good names to cleanse illegal offshore, online gambling corporations with an appalling track record of malfeasance. Let this failure also be a warning to others that seek to dubiously enter the California gaming market. Using tribes for your own gain will get you nowhere.”
In 2022, Californians voted on two sports betting propositions, Prop 26 and Prop 27. Both propositions failed despite more than $600 million spent in fundraising efforts, pushing any legislation on the matter to at least 2024.
The spokesperson involved in the initiative, Kasey Thompson, commented on the decision: “This initiative was supposed to be for the tribes but is only causing division. That was never my intent. I see now the needed unity is not coming, and so I’m standing good to my word and not moving forward. I’m pulling it in full.”
Thompson’s decision ends a contentious debate on sports wagering in the state for the time being.