_An Edhat Reader
Gambling laws are a very sensitive and always hot topic. These laws are quite peculiar since they differ a lot from country to country. They are also ever-changing, so any gambling business needs to keep track of all the changes in order to stay legit. On the other hand, anyone who wishes to use gambling services should also be in the loop with current laws.
When it comes to the USA, California is one of the largest states in terms of population to not allow sports betting. Unfortunately for many local enthusiasts in this domain, it seems that this law is not going to change anytime soon. However, there are always other ways to enjoy this hobby.
Online gambling
Since real-life gambling is not an option for California folks, offshore online casinos are a great alternative. Many online casinos accept US players regardless of which state they come from and whether local online casinos are available in the state or not, which they currently aren’t in CA. Therefore, this is a handy option for someone who likes to have a bit of fun gambling but cannot seem to do it in their own state.
In some ways, online gambling is much better than brick-and-mortar gambling. It requires almost no logistics planning. Instead of setting the time, finding transportation, and organizing your home or family before leaving to visit a live casino, you can simply access one from your computer or smartphone. You can also use it from the comfort of your favorite chair, the couch, or even the toilet – it is extremely practical.
The offer is so wide and varied, that it can satisfy anyone’s taste. For instance, some sites offer exclusive bonuses that can double or triple the player’s initial deposit, and offer 24/7 customer support. Some offshore sites also accept Bitcoin, so players who prioritize secure payments can play peacefully and pay in cryptocurrencies. Slot enthusiasts can enjoy endless fun at overseas casinos as they generally offer hundreds or even thousands of games.
Current legal situation in CA
Despite the fact that more than 30 states allow sports betting, California is not among them. Slot machines, poker, some horse race betting, and the state’s lottery are pretty much all the gambling that can be done legally in this state. If you’re wondering why this is, there was a vote in November 2022 where voters decided against legalizing this type of gambling. Sports gambling was rejected when voters refused to accept Propositions 26 and 27. Proposition 26 would allow sports betting in 66 tribal casinos which would end up harming some of the most famous sports betting brands such as DraftKings and FanDuel. Around a third of voters were pro, while the other two-thirds voted against it. Proposition 27 was different as it allowed brands like DraftKings and FanDuel to partner up with a Californian tribe and offer mobile sports betting options. Interestingly enough, only 17% of voters supported this proposition, while the others were opposed.
Strategy for legalization
Near the end of 2023, there was an attempt to legalize sports betting, a proposition that would give tribal casinos all the authority, prohibiting all others from doing business. However, The California Nations Indian Gaming Association rejected this with 100% of the votes. The same association rejected another 2 attempts at legalizing sports betting in California.
In January 2024, it became clear that the initiative for legalizing sports betting would have to wait at least until 2026, while some think even 2028. This was also confirmed in March by FanDuel president, Ian Geneteski. He admitted that Proposition 27 was poorly made, apologized, and promised to be more collaborative when it comes to working with tribal casinos. Since there is a lot to be done, Genetski agreed that the next chance of pushing a new law when it comes to sports betting will happen in 2026 or maybe even later.
Key participants in achieving the goal
When it comes to Proposition 26, despite its low positive voters, there were important supporters who keep fighting for the cause to this day. In the 30% of voters, you could count around 80 organizations, tribal and non-tribal, that supported the idea. Local Chambers of Commerce, Public Safety Agency, and NAACP were all a part of this initiative. On the other hand, only 3 Californian tribes supported Proposition 27, alongside Community Forward in San Francisco, MLB, and some big sportsbook brands. Regardless of the fact that both propositions failed, the participants and supporters have not given up. They are merely taking their time to regroup. Nevertheless, one thing is for sure – they definitely need the approval of the state’s tribal entities.
