Californians Reject Sports Betting ProposalsTribal Groups Win Big In Defeating Prop 27 |
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On Tuesday, the Associated Press officially called the Prop 27 race, with 84% of California voters rejecting Prop 27.
Prop 27 would have allowed for online sports betting. The likes of DraftKings, BetMGM and FanDuel were behind Prop 27. It was opposed by a broad coalition of more than 50 California Indian tribes, educators, civil rights and public safety leaders, advocates for the homeless and every major newspaper editorial board in California.
Prop 26, a proposal for retail-only sports betting, was defeated with 69.4% of voters rejecting it. Tribes supported Prop 26.
For the time being, California will have no legal sports betting of any kind. More than 30 states in the country have some form of sports betting.
“We are grateful to California voters who rejected out-of-state gambling corporations’ deceptive measure and once again stood with California Indian tribes,” said Greg Sarris, Tribal Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
“The corporate operators thought they could waltz into California, throw their money around, mislead voters and score a victory. Big mistake,” said Beth Glasco, Vice-Chairwoman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. “Voters are smart. They saw through the false promises in Prop 27. The corporations completely misjudged California voters and the resolve of our tribal nations.”
“Our internal polling has been clear and consistent for years: California voters do not support online sports betting,” said Anthony Roberts, Tribal Chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. “Voters have real and significant concerns about turning every cell phone, laptop and tablet into a gambling device, the resulting addiction and exposure to children.”
More tribal leaders commented on the results.
“It’s clear voters don’t want a massive expansion of online sports betting, and they trust Indian tribes when it comes to responsible gaming,” said Mark Macarro, Tribal Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Indians. “As tribes, we will analyze these results and collectively have discussions about what the future of sports wagering might look like in California.”
Tribes made clear that defeating Prop 27 was always the number-one priority, even with tribal-backed Prop 26 on the ballot.
Prop 26 was originally intended for the 2020 ballot, but the pandemic shutdown in March 2020 halted signature gathering, and the measure subsequently qualified for the 2022 election. Once Prop 27 was filed with the California Attorney General in August 2021, the tribes’ sole focus shifted to defeating Prop 27.
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