Summary
- CNIGA shows support for “The Age-Verified Tribal Online and In-Person Sports Wagering Regulatory Act”
- The group is still supportive of the “California Sports Wagering Regulation and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act”
- The tribal sports betting bills are up against commercial initiatives for mobile wagering.
Several bills are now in the works to see California start offering sports betting, in some form or fashion. The state has been unable to legalize the industry over the past few years, but proponents are hopeful that 2022 will be the year that progress is made.
Just this week, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) announced that members are supportive of new legislation titled “The Age-Verified Tribal Online and In-Person Sports Wagering Regulatory Act”.
The group remains in support of a second measure, titled “California Sports Wagering Regulation and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act”. This measure will be place don the ballot this November after tribal leaders were able to secure just under one million signatures from registered voters. The bill would legalize retail sports betting for tribal casino venues and racetracks that are licensed in California.
Stiff Competition withing the Legal Landscape
Just as soon as the first sports betting measure was approved for the ballot, two initiatives were submitted by commercial gaming operators for mobile sports betting. One initiative was presented by cardroom supporters while the other was created by a group of online service providers.
Because of this action, the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, along with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Wilton Rancheria, and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians decided to present a measure too. This is the second tribal sports betting bill, and it was presented to the public in early January. Supporters of the measure have been working on a signature gathering effort.
In a statement on the matter, CNIGA said that while the tribes are not unified on the path towards online sports betting, there is no question that
Indian Country is united in their fierce opposition to any corporate attempt to legalize online gambling
Tribes Want the Opportunity to Offer Sports Betting
The tribes feel that they are best suited to offer sports betting in California. According to James Siva, the Chairman of CNIGA, after the commercial operators decided to submit a ballot initiative, some of the tribes felt a second counter initiative was required based on their view that the effort is an aggressive plan to expand commercial gaming in the state.
The San Manuel Ban of Mission Indians has decided to sponsor a group titled “Californians for Tribal Sovereignty and Safe Gaming“. The group will push a opposition campaign against the legalization effort by the commercial sportsbooks. The tribe has already provided $25m to the group.
The goal is to show opposition for an initiative proposed by such sportsbooks as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and WynnBet, among others. The commercial companies have plans to spend $100m to support their initiative. Various tribes have plans to support the San Manuel Band group with support of $100m as well.
With so many stakeholders in California, the efforts may fail due to a lack of consensus. In the past, we have seen legislation for poker and sports betting fail due to potential stakeholders and lawmakers being unable to come to an agreement as to how the industry could function. This may be the case regarding sports betting as well.
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