California sports betting war intensifies as tribal coalition weighs in
Californians for Tribal Sovereignty and Safe Gaming unveils “break the promise” ad campaign targeting out-of-state operators
California’s Indian tribes have launched a TV advertising campaign attacking out-of-state efforts to widen sports betting, claiming they will “break the promise” of their exclusive rights over sports betting in the Golden State.
In a 30-second advert, which will air on both TV and digital channels, the tribal coalition singles out US heavyweights FanDuel and DraftKings, who are members of a seven-strong lobbying campaign seeking a slice of California’s sports betting market.
The operators are seeking to advance the California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act through a constitutionally approved ballot, something which tribal leaders strongly oppose, as it could potentially decimate the tribal sector.
The tribes claim the operators’ entry into the sports betting market will see 90% of generated revenue “sucked” out of the state, putting more than 181,500 jobs at risk.
“When voters granted our sovereign nations exclusive gaming rights, it advanced self-sufficiency and created thousands of good jobs,” the advert states.
“But now, out-of-state corporations are coming to California. Their online sports betting initiative would break the promise between us. It’s bad for tribes and all Californians,” the ad concludes.
The action is the first by the $100m Californians for Tribal Sovereignty and Safe Gaming initiative (CTSSG) which launched in February and is the brainchild of three tribes – the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the Rincon Band of Luisueño Indians, and Wilton Rancheria.
The CTSSG has tabled its own legislator amendment, the Age-Verified Tribal Online and In-Person Sports Wagering Regulatory Act, an initiative which seeks to make Californian sports betting the exclusive ground of tribal operators.
In February, a poll by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) found that less than half, or 45%, of California voters surveyed would support a proposed constitutional amendment to allow sports betting to be legalized.
However, a third of those polled said they were inclined to vote against, while 22% of voters reported being “undecided”, leaving operators and tribes alike ready to go toe-to-toe for these voters.
Each initiative would have to gain almost 1 million signatures to qualify for inclusion in a ballot taking place in November.
Similar operator-led initiatives to widen sports betting beyond tribal operators in Florida fell short, amid allegations of fraudulent practices and illegal petition gathering, with an investigation into these allegations currently ongoing.