Add another entity to the growing list of those against Proposition 27. The California State Association of Counties voted to oppose Prop 27 recently, citing the bill as “deceptive.”
Prop 27 is one of two sports betting initiatives on November’s ballot. If passed, sportsbooks would be allowed to partner with tribes to offer online sports betting in California.
The California State Association of Counties represents county governments before the California Legislature and federal government. It represents all 58 counties in the state. CSAS Executive Director Graham Kraus followed up the vote with a press release.
“California’s counties are on the front lines of the homelessness and mental health crisis, providing safety-net programs and services for unhoused residents. We carefully reviewed Prop 27 and concluded it’s a bad deal for counties and for California. Make no mistake, Prop 27 is NOT a solution to homelessness.”
Clear lines separate sides on Prop 27
Big money backs Prop 27. Among the sportsbooks that want to see the bill passed are Bally’s, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel, Penn Entertainment/Barstool Sportsbook and WynnBET.
If the measure prevails, operators would pay a 10% tax. The majority of those dollars would go to homeless services and mental health programs. Those in favor are confident the measure will yield a large return each year. Tribes that don’t partake in sports betting stand to benefit too. The proposal directs 15% of tax revenue to them.
However, opponents of the bill are equally vociferous. According to the group No on 27, the initiative would only make operators richer. Little would be left for homeless and mental health programs.
And although many tribes hope to profit from the proposition passing, No on 27 is backed by more than 50 federally recognized California tribes, including the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.
Odds are against Prop 27 passing
Outspoken opposition to the bill comes from all corners of the state. The list includes the League of California Cities, the state’s Democratic and Republican parties, key political figures, and a host of civil rights, faith and business groups.
According to Eilers & Krejcik, a non-partisan independent research firm, California could see as much as $3.1 billion flowing into state coffers annually if Prop 27 passes.
And yet, a recent report from the same Southern California-based firm forebodes bad news for sports betting. The agency predicts both initiatives will fail.
Sports betting measures set record
Advertisement fatigue might be partly to blame. As of late, Californians have been subject to a barrage of ads on TV, social media and via text messages from both sides of the initiative.
People could be getting fed up with the whole thing and are choosing to check out. That was what one reader wrote to Sports Handle recently.
“I am sick and tired of seeing the constant bombardment of the 2 gambling ads on TV regardless of the pros and cons of their merits or lack of. As a protest, I will simply ignore these measures on the election ballot.”
Analysts warn there’s also a high chance that voters will be confused by the two initiatives that cover the same or similar subject matter.
And still, the fight to sway voters goes on. Spending on Prop 27 and Prop 26, the other sports betting measure that would allow only in-person betting at casinos, has reached nearly $420 million.
That sets the record as the most expensive campaign in California history.
