NAACP throws support behind tribal ballot initiative in California

Organization adds itself to list opposing online gambling proposition.

The California Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP on Tuesday announced its support of the in-person Tribal Sports Wagering Act, a direct voter proposition already qualified for the November ballot.

California is allowing the state’s voters to consider propositions to legalize sports betting.

The Tribal Sports Wagering Act would authorize in-person sports wagering at existing tribal casinos, as well as expanding games the operators are allowed to offer.

According to statements offered by the Coalition for Safe, Responsible Gaming, which is backing the Yes campaign, this measure is “the most responsible approach to authorizing sports betting in California.”

Proponents of the measure note all bets must be placed in-person at a tribal casino with what they say are safeguards in place to prevent underage and illegal gambling. They assert it will help create jobs and economic opportunities that support Indian self-reliance, while benefiting all Californians, generating tens of millions of dollars annually in new revenues for public schools, wildfire prevention and other state priorities.

Also Tuesday, the NAACP said it is opposed to a separate proposition backed by a group of seven online gaming operators.

The Coalition for Safe, Responsible Gaming is leading the No campaign against this second measure, which is not yet qualified for the ballot. Its backers predict it will gather enough signatures before deadline.

“As the nation’s largest and most revered civil rights organization, the NAACP has long been a steadfast ally in the fight for justice, self-sufficiency and sovereignty for indigenous people,” Rick L. Callender, NAACP President, said in a statement. “For far too long have the tribes been excluded from the table of creating economic self-sufficiency. The California – Hawaii NAACP has stood with California Indian tribes in their fight to establish and protect gaming on their own tribal lands. Our support of the Tribal Sports Wagering Act – which authorizes regulated sports wagering, in person at tribal casinos – is consistent with that long-standing position for disenfranchised communities of color to become self-sufficient.”

Callender added: “At the same time, the CA/HI NAACP has grave concerns about the impacts that a massive expansion of online and mobile gambling would have on problem gambling in California, particularly among youth and communities of color. Additionally, not one penny raised from this effort has been dedicated towards direct reparations, or educational support, for African Americans and other people of color, which is why we unanimously voted to oppose the Corporate Online Gambling Proposition.”

Michael Bartlett

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