Californian Democrats vote in opposition of Prop 27
Prop 27 would legalize online sports betting and is hotly contested by tribal operators.
The Californian Democratic Party revealed its ballot endorsements for upcoming votes in November, and it has declined to support legalization of online sports betting by commercial operators.
Proposition 27 is the legislation pushed by gaming operators that would allow for sports betting legalization; the bill is fiercely opposed by Native American tribes in the Golden State.
On Sunday, the Californian Democrats voted in opposition to Prop 27 but remained neutral on a separate measure to legalize sports betting at tribal casinos and racehorse tracks. This would indicate they are aligning themselves with California’s tribal nations in what will be a historic legal battle coming this fall.
Cahuilla Indians Tribal Chairman Reid Milanovich took this development positively. He commented: “By opposing Prop 27, California Democrats rejected out-of-state corporations and reaffirmed their commitment to California’s Indian tribes. Prop 27 is not a solution to anything.
“It would expose children to a massive expansion of gambling and turn every cell phone, gaming console, tablet and laptop into a gambling device. Prop 27 is a direct attack on tribal gaming and Indian self-reliance.”
If passed, Prop 27 would create a regulatory body within the California Department of Justice which would have authority to regulate online sports betting. Passage would also create a charitable betting fund, with revenues coming in from licensing fees, renewals and the new sports betting tax.
Proponents of Prop 27 argue that 85% of the fund would go to combatting homelessness and mental health in the state, and 15% would go toward Native American endeavors in California. This olive branch has done nothing to quell fierce tribal opposition, with Prop 27 becoming one of the more polarizing propositions on the 2022 ballot in California.
Barona Band of Mission Indians Chairman Raymond Welch commented: “Their measure would authorize the largest expansion of gambling in state history, allowing virtually anyone, anywhere, anytime to gamble. Studies show this unprecedented access would lead to more problem gambling, addiction and crime.”
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