California tribes have donated over $11.5m toward the measure, which would allow sports betting to take place only in tribal casinos. The initiative would also allow roulette and dice games at their casinos.
The tribes have argued that they are most equipped to handle, regulate and manage the emerging sports betting industry.
The measure would also see that tribal casinos give a portion of their revenue to the state to cover regulatory costs.
River Rock Casino chief executive Sue Ascanio said, “Because we are so highly regulated and have been doing it for so long, it really is part of our world. The bottom line is this is already happening illegally and it’s not benefiting the state.”
Speaking on the measure with The Press Democrat, David McCaun, chair of the political science department at Sonoma State University said, “It moves things from a cardroom and slot machine atmosphere to a place that is a full-fledged Vegas-like entity. Now you don’t have to go to Vegas for March Madness, now you can have March Madness right in the Friendly City.”
There has been some opposition to the proposition, however. Specifically, California cardrooms together have donated $7m in an attempt to stop the measure.
“This initiative will not legalize sports wagering in California,” said Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association. “Instead, it expands the tribal casino operators' untaxed monopoly on gaming without benefit to Californians and prioritizes tribal casino operators' wealth over the needs of California communities.”
Support for this measure puts the North Bay tribes in direct opposition with sports betting giants like Draft Kings.
The measure has qualified for California's November 2022 ballot, so residents will be able to either support the tribe's endeavors or voice their concerns then.
