Whether party leaders\u2019 actions will influence voters remains to be seen. But California tribal leaders who oppose the online sports betting measure, also known as Proposition 27, were quick to make hay out of it.<\/p>\n
\nBy opposing Prop 27, California Democrats rejected out-of-state corporations and reaffirmed their commitment to California\u2019s Indian tribes,\u201d Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians\u00a0Tribal Chairman Reid Milanovich said in a statement. \u201cProp 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
While tribal leaders claim Prop 27 would expose kids to gaming, online sports betting is currently allowed in 20 states, plus the District of Columbia. There have been few reports of licensed sportsbooks or online gaming operators facing charges of allowing underaged bettors to make wagers.<\/p>\n
Prop 27 Group Says Measure Has Momentum<\/h2>\n
Nathan Click, a spokesperson for \u201cCalifornians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support,\u201d pointed out to Casino.org<\/i> in a statement Sunday that the state Democratic Party took stances on 11 ballot measures two years ago and voters ended up backing only four of those endorsed positions.<\/p>\n
He said the pro-Prop 27 campaign has momentum behind it.<\/p>\n
\nCalifornians across the political spectrum support our measure because it\u2019s the only one that provides hundreds of millions of dollars in solutions to homelessness, mental health, and addiction, and it\u2019s the only one that supports small and disadvantaged tribes,\u201d<\/strong> Click told Casino.org.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nProp 27 also has support from some key Democrats in the state. That includes Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. In addition, \u201cCalifornians for Solutions\u201d has $100 million in funds from seven major sports betting operators to promote the measure. It also has received endorsements from three smaller tribal nations<\/a> based in the state.<\/p>\nUnion Issue Leads to Neutral Stance on Prop 26<\/h2>\n
The Democrats\u2019 stance against Prop 27 does not necessarily translate into good news for supporters of Proposition 26, which would legalize retail sports betting at tribal casinos and state-licensed racetracks. The party took a neutral stand on that measure.<\/p>\n
According to people who attended Saturday\u2019s Resolution Committee session, a key hangup was a provision in Prop 26. That clause would allow private entities to go take action on what they believe is illegal gaming activities.<\/p>\n
Representatives for the tribal-led campaigns have insisted that language would not lead to state-licensed cardroom casinos being shutting down. But cardroom supporters argue that tribal nations and others could take advantage of that provision to go after cardrooms.<\/p>\n
With labor unions representing some of the cardrooms, it led party leaders to not take a stance either way.<\/p>\n