With a population of nearly 40 million, California is, by far, the most populous state in the US. Its population is nearly double that of Florida and New York, which rank third and fourth in the country, respectively. It\u2019s such a lucrative market that the companies behind the statewide mobile initiative have combined to contribute $100 million to the campaign.<\/p>\n
\n
“Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support” said their proposal, backed by Bally BET, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, Penn National, and WynnBET, was not in conflict with the tribal retail measure. The group then revised its plan to require the operators applying for the $100 million licenses to first partner with a tribal gaming organization.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A spokesperson for the group behind the sportsbooks\u2019 measure said their proposal remains the best option for the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are committed to our measure’s success,\u201d Nathan Click told Casino.org<\/i> Tuesday. \u201cThe independent Legislative Analyst’s Office found our measure would provide hundreds of millions in solutions each year to solve homelessness, as well as real revenue for California Tribal nations, by allowing regulated entities to offer safe, responsible sports betting online.”<\/p>\n
Clark also noted that the measure “won bipartisan support from advocates and leaders on the front lines of fighting homelessness, because it provides real solutions to California’s most pressing challenge.”<\/p>\n
Tribal Gaming Group Yet to Discuss Plan<\/h2>\n
One of the two tribal organizations behind the opposition to the commercial proposals is the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA). The group has 39 tribal nation members, including the three represented in the letter.<\/p>\n
James May, a spokesperson for CNIGA, told Casino.org<\/em> Tuesday that its members have not had a chance to talk about the new proposal. The association\u2019s bimonthly meeting in October took place before the letter was released.<\/p>\nIn addition to opposing the commercial proposals, CNIGA already has endorsed the tribal retail initiative. The membership voted on that in February 2020.<\/p>\n
The association also has what is called its \u201cguiding principles\u201d on sports betting. Points covered in the policy document include ensuring tribal exclusivity for at least existing gaming options is respected. It also requested that offering sports betting beyond tribal operations must have tribal approval, and noted that the socioeconomic impact of legal sports betting must be completed before proceeding with a proposal to amend the state constitution. It concluded that tribal governments need to be at the table during any discussion of expanded gaming in California.<\/p>\n
At G2E, California\u2019s tribal gaming leaders explained why the initial measure did not include mobile. Mark Macarro, chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luise\u00f1o Indians, sports betting \u201cstill a lot if suspicion statewide\u201d at the time.<\/p>\n
In addition, some of the smaller operators expressed concerns about the impact mobile wagering would have on their operations.<\/p>\n
\n
While it remains to be seen whether some California tribal operators still have those concerns, the letter from Mazzetti, Sarris, and Tarango says that if either the cardrooms or the sportsbooks measure gets on the ballot and passes next year, then all tribes will lose their exclusivity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
A spokesperson for the Graton Rancheria said the tribe would not comment on the letter. It referred to the statement Sarris made regarding the tribes\u2019 opposition to the commercial proposals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe remain committed to responsible sports wagering at tribal casinos that have a proven track record of operating safe, regulated gaming in this state,\u201d he said in that release. \u201cWe are prepared to make our case to the voters, just as we have in previous elections, to oppose these deceptive and risky propositions.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Three California tribal chairmen have circulated a letter throwing out the possibility of yet another mobile sports betting measure on next year\u2019s ballot. That plan would give tribes online exclusivity. California\u2019s tribal gaming operators came out last week against mobile sports betting proposals sponsored by cardrooms and sportsbooks, Bo Mazzetti of the Rincon Band of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":166243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[61,1074,18456],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
California Tribal Leaders Float Plan for Mobile Sports Betting Exclusivity<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n