California National Indian Gaming Association. Officially opposed to sports betting
The California Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) on Thursday formally opposed two recent initiatives aimed at bringing the sports betting issue to the state's voters in 2024.
The Sports Betting Regulations and Tribal Gambling Protection Act, released on October 27, were introduced by Kathy Thompson and Reeve Collins. They are tribal outsiders, described in a recent Politico article as “poker bros” and “tech bros.” In a statement about CNIGA's opposition to the initiative, chairman James Siwa criticized Collins and Thompson's approach.
The whole effort around these initiatives has been handled very poorly by the sponsors of the initiative," Siwa said. "When you listen to these people, it's hard not to feel offended. This is another example of outside influences trying to divide and conquer Native American tribes. We will not let history repeat itself. "
CNIGA is the trade association for California’s tribal casino operators and has 52 member tribes.
The new proposal has expired
Supporters of the Sports Betting Regulations and the Tribal Gaming Protection Act made what now appears to be a catastrophic mistake. They submitted plans for tribal gaming proposals without consulting California tribes.
California's tribal casino operators have exclusive agreements with the state, and any additions to Class III gaming, a sports betting classification, must be approved by the tribes. If this is not done, proponents of sports betting regulations and the Tribal Gambling Protection Act may ensure that the proposal fails soon after its creation.
Additionally, CNIGA recently found that Collins and Thompson may not have considered voter fatigue on this issue. The 2022 fight over Proposition 26, a tribal-backed sports betting initiative, and Proposition 27, which supports commercial gambling companies, will cost about $250 million. California voters resoundingly rejected both proposals.
With that in mind, there is a growing consensus among California tribal casino operators that sports betting should not resume until the 2026 midterm election cycle.
More mistakes, some hope
Making matters worse for the fate of sports betting regulation and tribal gambling protection laws, California tribes have expressed a willingness to work with other parties on the issue. They just want to be consulted and guided through planning first.
Some CNIGA member tribes see a glimmer of hope in sports betting regulations and the Tribal Gambling Protection Act. It could provide a framework for possible ballot initiatives in 2026. But sports betting likely won’t be included in California’s 2024 elections.
Additionally, tribal operators in the state want to take a cautious approach to sports betting. They hope to start with retail sports betting in casinos before moving to mobile betting.
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Source: www.casino.org
