For California citizens, it appears the wait for legalized gaming will have to take a little longer. Per a report from the Associated Press (AP), the effort to legalize sports betting in California ran headlong into a typical challenge for competing for ballot measures. This was evidenced in the midterm elections when both initiatives were battered in a torrent of negative advertising that doomed both to spectacular failure in the most expensive ballot race in U.S. history according to tot the AP. According to one analyst, “whenever there are dueling ballot measures, and the competitors have an arsenal of dollars … the competitors will go nuclear.” The result for both ballot campaigns was a pasting at the polls.
Or this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest news in California along with some other thoughts about Golden State gaming.
With about 5.5 million votes counted Thursday, more than 80% of voters rejected an effort by the gaming industry that would have allowed online and phone wagers on sports per the AP. A measure supported by Native American tribes that would have let gamblers place sports bets at tribal casinos and four horse tracks was opposed by 70% of voters according to the same report. However, the result of the midterm election is not a doomsday scenario for sports betting in California. With what could be a multibillion-dollar market in the nation’s most populous state, there’s simply too much at stake for supporters to give up.
As referenced in the article, more than 30 other states now allow sports betting, but Californians are limited to playing slot machines, poker, and other games at Native American casinos. Moreover, they can also wager at horse tracks, and card rooms, and have access to the state lottery. However, per the article, Becky Harris, a distinguished fellow at the International Gaming Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said legalizing sports gambling is inevitable, but it’s too soon to tell how it will unfold in California.
After the U.S. Supreme Court allowed sports betting in 2018, states such as West Virginia and New Jersey were quick to legalize it and establish regulatory structure while others took several years per the article. That said, supporters of both measures said they were reevaluating how to bring sports gambling back to the Golden State and wouldn’t discuss whether they would seek a legislative path or appeal directly to voters again. The campaign in support of online wagering reaffirmed its commitment to expanding sports betting in California.
Whether the disparate groups that fought over the campaign ballot propositions can reach some consensus remains to be seen per the AP report. Harris says if there’s going to be a form of mobile wagering in the state of California, it would have to come to the tribes. Of the roughly $460 million raised for and against both measures, about $170 million was in support of the online sports gambling initiative backed by DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel. However, as the article notes, with blowout spending on television ads during sports events, on social media, and in campaign mailers, voters often sour on campaigns per political advertising experts. How to curtail this backlash effect next time will be a point of emphasis.
Once you are all done getting up to speed regarding the latest gaming news in California, make sure to also look into the slew of resources that SBS offers you. For instance, for even more Golden State betting news, the SBS California sports betting breakdown offers you everything to know about the California sports betting landscape. If you would like to understand more about high-stakes wagering as well, our VIP sports betting sites rundown has your back with a comprehensive guide to the perks of VIP sports wagering. Finally, make sure to peruse the SBS payment methods overview page which goes over all the different ways you can make deposits and withdrawals.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
Read Chris's ProfileAsk Chris about this guide:
