California racetrack operators “highly motivated” to resurrect sports betting following defeat
Thoroughbred Owners of California “disappointed” in Proposition 26 dismissal as ballot counting draws to a close
California’s racetrack owners have suggested they would look to bring back a ballot initiative to allow sports betting at horseracing tracks in 2024, confirming they are “highly motivated” to do so.
Issuing a statement just days after the overwhelming rejection of its favored Proposition 26 campaign, the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) acknowledged the failure but asserted the drive towards sports betting was not over.
“We are disappointed but not surprised that Prop 26 did not pass and will do our part to find a positive outcome that can channel sports gaming demand responsibly to return maximum benefit to the state as well as provide a top-quality customer experience at our well-established and regulated racetracks in California in the next election cycle in 2024,” TOC chairman Gary Fenton said.
“The California racing industry remains highly motivated to pursue this initiative, working collaboratively with key partners, to join the list of 35 states that currently offer legal sports wagering,” Fenton concluded.
Proposition 26, backed by a coalition of some of California’s largest tribal casino operators, included sports betting-related measures allowing for in-person wagering at both tribal casinos and the state’s four licensed racetracks.
These comprise the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Golden Gate Fields, Los Alamitos Racecourse, and Santa Anita Park.
Both Proposition 26’s and its rival Proposition 27’s campaigns failed to gain enough votes to pass, having been put to a statewide ballot on November 7.
While 100% of the votes cast for either initiative have not been fully counted, more than 70% of votes have been and further underline the size of the defeat of each campaign.
In respect of Proposition 26, votes in favor increased slightly as more were counted, with Yes votes now accounting for just under 31% of total votes, compared to 69% against.
The size of Proposition 27’s defeat has also been magnified as further votes have been counted, with Yes votes accounting for just 17% of total votes, compared to 83% against.
TOC’s comments have largely been echoed by operators backing the rival 27 campaign, which have indicated they will indeed try again with their own ballot measure in 2024, setting the stage for a repeat of this year’s contest in two years’ time.