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Xavier Becerra won California’s governor race with about 64% of the vote in preliminary results, according to Gaming America, potentially giving tribes a political ally for their planned 2028 sports betting initiative. Becerra defeated Republican and former Fox News host Steve Hilton.
Becerra has not publicly commented on whether he supports gambling expansion. His record as attorney general and campaign support from tribal gaming operators nevertheless provide a backdrop to the legalization effort.
Tribes seek control of a 2028 betting measure
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association plans to put a measure on the 2028 ballot that would legalize sports betting online and at tribal casinos under tribal control.
CNIGA Chairman James Siva told Politico, as reported by Gaming America: “We haven’t stopped working on sports betting, talking about sports betting, since the last two propositions that failed in 2022.”
Siva described tribal control as central to the effort: “Holding on to one of the singular truths about gaming in California, which is tribes are the operators. Period.”
Several tribal gaming operators, including the Pechanga Band of Indians, Lytton Rancheria and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, each donated the maximum $83,800 to Becerra’s gubernatorial campaign. As attorney general, Becerra aligned with tribal interests in legal and regulatory conflicts with commercial cardrooms.
Poll shows stronger support for betting at tribal casinos
A recent poll cited by Gaming America found approximately 50% of voters supported legalizing sports betting at tribal casinos, while 36% opposed it. Support for statewide online sports betting stood at 37%.
Among voters ages 18 to 29, support was lower: 39% favored sports betting at tribal casinos and 26% favored online sports betting.
California voters rejected both sports betting proposals on the 2022 ballot. Proposition 26 received 33% support, while Proposition 27 received 17.7%.
Prediction markets complicate partnership efforts
DraftKings has said it is committed to working collaboratively with tribal groups on an online sports betting framework that benefits tribes and their communities. Its push into prediction markets could complicate those discussions, according to Gaming America. Victor Rocha said tribes are closely tracking which online sports betting operators have entered prediction markets.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a bipartisan coalition of 37 attorneys general in an amicus brief supporting Utah in its case against Kalshi.
“Prediction markets cannot use federal loopholes to bypass state consumer protection, sports gaming, and gambling laws,” Bonta said.
Gaming America also reported that two California tribes won a Ninth Circuit ruling stating that Kalshi’s sports markets violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and may not be offered on tribal lands. Kalshi has appealed the decision.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the California Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), 24/7.
More from playca.com – Utah sues Kalshi as founder raises prospect of Supreme Court fight – California Column Examines Kalshi and the Divide Over Betting Regulation – Los Angeles bar group uses $60,000 Kalshi trade to hedge Dodgers revenue
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Source: As reported by Gaming America.
