California Tribal Casinos & Indian Gaming | 2023 News Archive

California voters still oppose sports betting initiatives

November 30, 2023

After California voters rejected two sports betting ballot measures last year, a new poll finds voter opposition will continue against any new sports betting initiatives next year.

A new poll conducted by FM3 Research show very little change in voter sports betting preferences since a year ago. The total opposition today is 63%-28%. That is a 2% decline since last year, and show that sports betting opposition has remained consistently strong.

California tribes are aware of similar voter data, and do not intend to introduce new sports initiatives for 2024. Two initiatives introduced last month were immediately rejected by the major gaming tribes in the state. The iniatives have passed the comment period and are now heading towards signature gathering. Success is unlikey and may add to voter fatigue.

FM3 Research is a California-based company that has conducted public polling research since 1981.

California Tribes reject new sports betting proposal

November 21, 2023

Last month the first sports betting initiatives for the 2024 election were filed with the California Attorney General's Office. One filing proposed a tribal framework to exclusively operate all California sports betting. The other filing would amend the state constitution and give the state legislature the power to add sports betting to the existing gaming compacts of California tribes. See news article.

Last Thursday the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) announced its strong opposition to the initiatives. CNIGA is the trade association for California Indian casino operators. The group represents 52 tribes.

CNIGA issued a statement that included:

"The entire effort surrounding these initiatives was handled abhorrently by the initiative sponsors. 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."

- James Siva, Chairman CNIGA

Chairman Siva attacked the initiative authors, Kasey Thompson and Reeve Collins, for not consulting with the tribes prior to filing. California voters rejected two sports betting measures in the 2022 election. Many tribes feel there remains too much voter fatigue for another ballot attempt in 2024. The tribal consensus is to wait until the 2026 midterm election.

2024 Tribal Sports Betting Proposals Filed in California

October 29, 2023

The first two California sports betting proposals have been filed for the 2024 election. The initiatives were filed yesterday with the California Attorney General's Office.

• One filing proposes a tribal framework for all California onsite and online sports betting.

• The second filing would amend the state constitution to allow the state legislature the right to grant exclusive sports betting rights to California tribes by amending the tribal gaming compacts.

Three weeks ago, the Pala Band of Mission Indians were reportedly preparing to introduce an online sports betting initiative for next year's election. However, no tribe is listed in the 40-page filing documents, and Pala's involvement is a mystery.

The filing paperwork is signed by Ryan Tyler Waltz, and all media and public inquiries are directed to Reeve Collin, the CEO and co-founder of Pala Interactive. The Pala Tribe sold Pala Interactive, an online casino platform, to Boyd Gaming in 2022.

No other information regarding these initative filings or the supporting organization(s) have been disclosed.