Assemblyman in California Prepared to Advance Proposal for Legalizing Sports Gambling
A New Gamble: California's Pursuit of Legalized Sports Betting
Just like the vibrant enthusiasm of California, Assemblyman Adam Gray has been watching and waiting, much like the vibrant Cali sun shining above the Golden State. And with the Supreme Court's momentous decision in favor of New Jersey in Murphy v NCAA, Gray took a decisive step.
"The Supreme Court's ruling affirms that the decision to legalize sports wagering is one for the states to make themselves," Gray declared in a statement on Monday. "Now, the power lies in the hands of the Californian citizens. This is the decision they shall make—whether or not to authorize sports wagering."
Gray introduced a Constitutional Amendment, ACA 18, in the heart of summer 2017. This amendment would pave the way for sports betting in California and grant the state assembly the authority to craft regulations and implementation guidelines. If the amendment gains approval, California voters would have the final say during the November election. The state is already home to numerous tribal casinos, card rooms, and live horse-racing tracks, all well-versed in the game of gambling and poised to offer sports betting should the voters say yes.
Gray's Gamble: From Patience to Action
When Gray introduced ACA 18, he saw it as a stepping stone, biding his time until the Supreme Court ruling, which finally came on Monday. The high court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, effectively legalizing sports betting in all states, excluding Nevada.
"With the court now giving the states the power to make this call, it's high time we engage in a meaningful conversation about sports wagering in California," he expressed.
Californians have long cherished the thrill of placing legal bets on sports in neighboring Nevada, and as in most states, there are those who place their bets off-shore. "It's time to bring this multibillion-dollar industry out from the shadows," Gray asserted. "We need to tackle illegal and unregulated online gaming. All other forms of gaming in California are subject to regulations that safeguard consumers. Sports wagering should be given no exception."
The state, grappling with a gigantic budget crisis, could certainly benefit from an additional revenue source. Navigating through conversations with various stakeholders will undoubtedly pose a challenge, as California has over 100 tribal casinos, and coming to agreements with tribal groups has proved difficult in other states, such as Connecticut and Michigan. California holds 108 federally recognized tribes, and approximately 65 of them have compacts with the state.
"California voters have, on many occasions, confirmed the exclusive rights of California tribal governments to operate casino-style games," Steve Stallings, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, told the Los Angeles Times on Monday. "Expanding sports betting should not become a backdoor tactic to infringe on that exclusivity."
However, sports betting is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, which allows for three classes of gaming, including casino-style games. The state authorizes betting on horse racing, bingo for charitable purposes, and a state lottery. Card rooms, primarily offering poker, are also common.
Laying the groundwork for agreements with key stakeholders is a conversation for another day. Gray's immediate goal is to get his amendment through the general assembly and onto the ballot.
Enrichment Data InsightSince the Supreme Court's decision in Murphy v NCAA in 2018, California has been increasingly enthusiastic about legalizing sports betting. However, past attempts have been unsuccessful. Previously, Proposition 26 and Proposition 27 were proposed to legalize in-person sports betting and online sports betting respectively, but both were rejected by voters. Presently, California tribal leaders appear hesitant to push for sports betting legalization in the near future, aiming for a potential push in 2028 instead. Despite these setbacks, efforts to legalize sports betting in California continue, with Adam Gray's Constitutional Amendment ACA 18 in the forefront of these efforts, although its current status remains unclear.
In the pursuit of legalized sports betting, California's Assemblyman Adam Gray has seized the opportunity, following the Supreme Court's ruling in Murphy v NCAA that struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Gray's Constitutional Amendment, ACA 18, introduced in 2017, aims to legalize sports betting in California and grant the state assembly the authority to regulate it. If approved, a statewide vote will decide the fate of sports betting in California, given the state's numerous gaming establishments poised to offer sports betting.
