CA Lawmakers Dissatisfied With Tribal Sports Betting Proposal

• California is looking to legalize sports betting in 2020.
• The tribes in the state have been very interested in operating sportsbooks.
• State lawmakers are not happy with the proposal brought by the state tribes.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In recent weeks, California tribal casino owners have proposed a constitutional amendment. This amendment would allow the tribes of the state to dominate the California sports betting scene.

A Near Monopoly On Sports Betting

If the tribes in California get their way, they would have a near-monopoly on legal sports betting. The proposed amendment would make it so that sports betting would be in tribal casinos and in four horse racing tracks. The horse racing tracks would receive a 10-percent tax on bets made.

The California tribal casinos would receive no tax on sports betting. This is largely due to the fact that the tribes of the state are considered to be a sovereign government. That doesn’t mean they would never pay the government sports betting revenue. The compact between the tribe and the state government would likely be re-negotiated if this amendment passes.

But it does not end there. Under this amendment, sports betting would only be allowed in these locations. The California tribes would not allow for mobile or online sports betting. The tribes in California believe this is the right way to move forward.

“Voters have legitimate concerns about mobile sports betting and would be highly likely to oppose a proposal that allows mobile betting. This measure represents a viable and measured path toward well-regulated sports wagering in California. We don’t rule it out in the future, but we think the proposed measure is the right approach at this point,” said Jacob Mejia, a spokesman for the tribal coalition

State Lawmakers Are Dissatisfied

Some state lawmakers in California are not happy with the proposal brought on by the state tribes. California State Sen. Bill Dodd does not believe that the proposed amendment is what is best for the Golden State.

“It’s all about the tribes. It’s not in the best interest of all Californians,” said Sen. Dodd.

The proposed amendment by the tribes would prevent the state of California from cashing in on sports betting. Some experts claim that an all-inclusive sports betting measure in California could generate hundreds of millions in taxable revenue. This cash would go into various state programs such as education or infrastructure projects.

It is not just state lawmakers that are dissatisfied. The California Gaming Association has concerns about the proposal from the tribal casinos.

“Californians want and deserve safe, lawful choices for their gaming activities,” said Kyle Kirkland of the California Gaming Association. “Not just those alternatives dictated by self-interested tribal operators.”

State lawmakers are not just shouting their dissatisfaction. Lawmakers have put out their own proposal for California sports betting. The proposal brought by Sen. Dodd would allow for mobile and online sports betting and be more expansive than the tribal amendment.

Both proposals are now under consideration. For the tribe, their proposal is waiting for an official title and summary. They will then need to collect 997,139 signatures for the amendment to reach a state referendum after a majority vote. Despite grievances, both parties want California sports betting to become legal in 2020.

News tags: Bill Dodd | California | California Gaming Commission | Jacob Mejia | Kyle Kirkland | Tribal casinos