- There are currently four sports betting proposals that could end up on the California ballot in 2022.
- As the most populous US state, it is widely believed that California will be the most profitable betting market.
- The proposals differ in intent and effect, and each seeks to give a different group control over the nascent market.
LOS ANGELES - California’s sports betting proposals have become a hot topic of contention and could generate major controversy on the upcoming 2022 ballot.
There are three competing measures attempting to be passed on the 2022 ballot, each with its own agenda and sponsors - and a fourth could be on the way.
California, should it legalize sports betting, would likely be one of the largest markets in the world as the most populous state in the U.S. It should come as no surprise then that there are many attempting to profit off of this eventuality.
What Are The California Sports Betting Proposals?
The first proposal is backed by the 18 native tribes that operate casinos in California. It would legalize sports betting only on native land and horse racing locations. In this scenario, the native tribal gaming operators would not be subject to taxation.
This proposal has already received the signatures necessary to make it onto the ballot, while the other three have not.
There’s also a measure backed by cities that operate card rooms in California. This proposal would open a less restricted market than the tribal proposal and would levy taxes on all participants.
More recently, a proposal to legalize gambling that has the support of major online gambling companies has taken flight.
Backed by Bally’s, BetMGM, FanDuel and DraftKings, Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support has proposed an online gambling initiative that sends 85% of the government revenue towards homelessness in California.
A Fourth Proposal Could Be Forming
A measure that would allow tribal governments to operate online gambling, instead of restricting it to tribal lands is also making a case. This proposal is backed by tribal leaders from the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and Wilton Rancheria.
“If the DraftKings Measure or the Cardrooms Measure passes in November 2022, tribes would lose their exclusivity to class III gaming in California and such passage would accelerate the legalization of online gaming by non-tribal interests, threatening the existence of Indian gaming as we know it,” the leaders wrote.
With so many potential California gambling alternatives on the ballot, it seems possible that none of them reach a majority consensus. If that happens, it will be back to the drawing board for California’s online gambling interests, which are currently at each other's throats, grasping for a piece of the pie.