Two California gaming measures poised for court battle if both pass

Updated August 4, 2022
Updated August 4, 2022By Chris Boline
california betting news august

In the Golden State, two gaming initiatives are on a collision course with each other potentially beyond the election season this fall. Per a report from KCRA 3 in Sacramento, two competing gaming initiatives appear to be in a precarious legal position if they both pass during the November ballot. As the article points out, since both of these measures are similar, there is the possibility that both Proposition 26 and Proposition 27 during the November electoral period. As regular readers of this space are aware, Prop 26 would allow for in-person sports betting exclusively at tribal casinos and also California racetracks. Meanwhile Proposition 27 would allow for online and mobile sports wagering in the sport. 

For this report, SBS will take a deeper dive into the possibility of what would happen if these two measures pass and also more notes on gaming in the Golden State. 

Law school professor says conflicting measures passing is nothing new

According to the same report from KCRA, Mary-Beth Moylan, the associate dean for Academic Affairs at the McGeorge School of Law said that conflicting measures potentially passing is nothing new. Per the article, Moylan said that there have been times in California when two measures have passed that have conflicted. For instance, it occurred a couple of decades ago in the state when some campaign finance propositions passed together. The court at the time found that they were in conflict and the one with the greater percentage of the vote took effect

With Prop 26 and Prop 27 of course being two separate measures, there of course is the possibility that both could get the green light in November. Per Moylan’s quote in the article, voting “yes” on one proposition while also voting “yes” on the other is fine. Also voting for the alternative outcomes of the bills is also perfectly alright and reasonable. The point is, according to the professor, that these bills are not a pair and do not go hand in hand. They are two different ways to approach sports betting in the state. 

Major donors headline respective support for gaming bills

Per a breakdown in the KCRA article, there are some key main players for each respective bill. For Prop 26, the Coalition for Safe, Responsible Gaming, is leading the campaign for the gaming measure. Some of the top donors for this bill have come from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. This is juxtaposed with the Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support as the main campaign supporter for Proposition 27. The top donors for these initiatives are national gaming powers like BetMGM LLC., FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings. 

As referenced in this space before, Prop 26 and Prop 27 hold some key distinctions from one another. In addition to allowing for in-person sports betting exclusively at tribal casinos, Prop 26 would also enact a 10% tax on profits from sports betting at racetracks that would go to programs for gambling prevention, mental health, and the general fund. Meanwhile, if Prop 27 is passed, it would allocate tax revenue to homelessness programs and some of California’s tribes. 

As you are learning more about the gaming scene in California, another fantastic resource to check in with regularly is our overview of California sports betting. Here you can find the latest news and notes related to gaming in the Golden State. On another note, if you are perhaps interested in learning more about high-stakes wagering then our VIP sports betting sites rundown is exactly what you need to see if this is a fit for you. Finally, our payment methods breakdown is a great guide to find the right deposit and withdrawal options for you. This handy page will give you a variety of options to choose from and give you an idea of the best route for you to pick from. 

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About the Author

Chris Boline
Chris Boline

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 in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. 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.

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