California Sports Betting Initiatives Have Tough Road Ahead After Public Comment Session Closes

Nov 12, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) celebrates with tight end Stone Smartt (84) after a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY SportsA 30-day public comment session has closed for two California sports betting ballot initiativesThe Attorney General will now prepare and issue a circulating title and summary for the two initiativesThe initiatives aim to give online sports betting power to California tribes, but the tribes have denounced the measures

Two California sports betting initiatives aiming to legalize online sports betting for California tribes have a tough road ahead to find a spot on the 2024 general election ballot, as they face harsh opposition from the same California tribes they hope to help.

The 30-day public comment period for the initiatives, the Tribal Gaming Protection Act (23-0031) and The Sports Wagering Regulation and Tribal Gaming Protection Act (23-0030), has closed. Before the proponents can begin circulating the measures for signatures, the California Attorney General must first prepare and issue circulating titles and summaries.

However, both initiatives have been denounced by the largest and most powerful tribes in the state and likely have little chance to find their way on the 2024 ballot, let alone be approved by California voters.

California Tribes Denounce Initiatives

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), which represents some of the largest and most influential tribes in the state, voted unanimously to oppose each of the sports betting ballot initiatives earlier this month. The vote to oppose the initiatives was 18-0.

“The entire effort surrounding these initiatives was handled abhorrently by the initiative sponsors,” said CNIGA Chairman James Siva in a published statement. “It is hard not to be offended when listening to these individuals speak. This is another example of outside influences trying to divide and conquer Indian tribes. We will not let history repeat itself.”

The proponents of the initiatives, Ryan Tyler Walz and Reeve Collins, have five days to submit amendments for the initiatives, but even that may be a difficult task to complete.

Siva, appearing on Victor Rocha’s “The New Normal” podcast last week, said the tribes would likely not send Walz or Collins any potential amendments to their initiatives so as not to give them any credibility.

The Attorney General is currently working on providing both of the initiatives with a circulating title and summary. When submitted to the proponents, the ballot initiatives can begin to be circulated for signatures throughout the state.

Initiatives Likely Dead for 2024

The initiatives likely have little chance to appear on the 2024 general election ballot.

The measures aim to legalize retail and online sports betting for California tribes, while prohibiting retail and online sports betting for any entity other than a state tribe.

To appear on the Nov. 5, 2024, general election ballot, the proponents of the initiatives will have to collect 874,641 valid signatures over the next four months. The state suggests that signatures should be collected over six months to ensure success.

CNIGA previously called for the authors of the initiatives to recall the measures.

“California tribes have been successfully engaged in the gaming market for more than four decades. This didn’t happen by mistake, nor without careful consideration on the effects to our members and our surrounding communities. Tribal Leaders are the experts, and we will decide what is best for our people. Now that the sponsors have heard directly from tribes that their efforts are not supported, we call on them to drop the initiatives as they have pledged to do if tribes were to oppose them. Our opposition could not be more clear and is irrevocable,” Siva said.