In what has been a somewhat surprising turn of events, a national gambling outlet has expressed a desire to join forces rather than working against California’s native tribes which control gaming in the state. Per a recent article, FanDuel CEO Amy Howe said that the next effort to legalize sports betting in California will be under a unified approach with tribes. Her remarks were made during a panel discussion at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in Anaheim, California earlier this month. Acknowledging past missteps and the importance of tribal partnerships, Howe emphasized that any future endeavors in the state must be “with and through” the 100-plus tribes that exist in California, per the same article.
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest news coming from the Golden State along with even more notes and info regarding California sports betting.
As noted in the same article, Howe was joined by James Siva, Chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and Jacob Mejia, director of public affairs for Pechanga Development Corporation. The FanDuel boss engaged in a frank discussion about the turbulent history between commercial operators like FanDuel and tribal entities. In the process, receiving credit from tribal stakeholders for the gesture to make amends with California tribes after a failed ballot campaign over sports betting.
As noted in the same report, the backdrop of their conversation was the aftermath of the 2022 ballot initiatives. Proposition 27, which aimed to legalize online sports betting but lacked tribal support, was resoundingly rejected by California voters. This failure, coupled with the tribes’ opposition, underscored the need for a new approach. Howe admitted that previous efforts were “well-intended but misguided and ill-informed,” recognizing the sovereignty of tribes and the importance of exclusivity in their gaming operations. Her acknowledgment of past errors was symbolized by the display of a notebook belonging to Frank Sizemore, a former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians executive now working with FanDuel, adorned with a prominent “NO ON 27” sticker.
Per the same article, FanDuel’s recent hiring of tribal industry experts like Sizemore, Rikki Tanenbaum (also a former San Manuel executive), and Sequoyah Simermeyer (former National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman) demonstrates a commitment to understanding and respecting tribal perspectives, said Howe. Siva reiterated that tribes will continue to be the primary operators in California’s gaming landscape, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to future initiatives. While expansion is anticipated, Siva stressed the importance of tribes leading the way.
“Expansion of gaming is going to happen. It’s a matter of when not if. But when that does happen, tribes are going to remain in control. We will partner with companies, and we will utilize products, but Tribes are the operators in California, period. That’s it,” Siva said in the article.
Looking ahead, Howe emphasized the necessity of broad tribal consensus for any future ballot measures, recognizing that success hinges on tribal cooperation. She highlighted the potential revenue loss to black market operators and emphasized the need for legal, regulated sports betting that benefits all stakeholders.
In the same article, Howe commented by saying “I think if we can work together and figure out a structure that goes through the tribes but also takes full advantage of what we’ve built over not just six years of being an operator of online sports betting in the U.S. but we’re also backed by the largest global gaming company, there’s something really powerful we can do together,” Howe said.
Siva’s closing message to commercial operators was also clear: “I would say be patient. Listen to the tribes. We know where we want to go and we’re making new relationships moving forward, but we don’t forget, we remember. We know what we are doing and this is our industry. Get out of our way and we’ll show you the path.”
The panel’s tone reflected a shift in approach by FanDuel and other commercial operators, signaling a willingness to collaborate with tribes rather than confront them. With sports betting potential legalization in California looming, Howe’s remarks underscored the importance of tribal partnerships for future successes in the state’s gaming markets. The panel’s tone emphasized a paradigm shift in the approach to sports betting legalization, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation. Howe’s remarks echoed a sentiment of partnership and inclusivity, highlighting the potential for collective action to drive positive change in California’s gaming landscape.
Once you are all dialed in regarding the latest gaming news and updates coming from California, make sure to check out the wide variety of information available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more info on the topic at hand, a must-bookmark page is the California sports betting guide which covers all of the latest news and updates from the Golden State. Moreover, for those on the go, the best betting apps rundown is another awesome resource that can help you understand the nuances of mobile betting and where it can make sense for you. Finally, if you are interested in diversifying your payment options, look no further than the payment methods rundown. Here you can learn more about the different payment options available to you for deposits and withdrawals which range from cryptocurrencies to more traditional banking routes.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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