California Tribes Unhappy with The State’s Sports Betting Proposal

California Tribes Unhappy with The State’s Sports Betting Proposal

As California is looking at yet another sports betting bill, the state’s tribes are not on board with the plans.

New sports betting plan

California lawmakers recently proposed a new bill that would legalize sports betting in the state. The new bill is a constitutional amendment proposed by Sen. Bill Dodd and Assemblyman Adam Gray. It would need the support of two-thirds of legislatures in both chambers. The support must be gathered before June 25 so that the issue can go to November’s election ballot.

California Tribes Unhappy with The State’s Sports Betting Proposal

The bill will be tabled at Dodd’s senate committee on Tuesday. It suggests a 10% tax on land-based sports wagering revenue and 15% on mobile betting revenue. The betting license holders will have to mandatorily contribute 1% of their revenue to responsible gaming programs. To gain a license, operators will have to pay $5 million. An additional $1 million is required for a mobile betting option. Moreover, licensees will have to use only official league data for in-play betting.

The proposal has no place for the state cardrooms. However, they will be allowed to continue with their player-banked games, which have been under the monopoly of the tribes. To appease the enraged tribes, the bill proposes the addition of non-card casino games to their venues.

Tribes unhappy with the bill

The tribes of California have their own land-based betting proposal. Last Friday, the California Native Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) issued a statement thanking the lawmakers for the proposals but expressed concerns with the language used for cardrooms.

James Siva, the chair of CNIGA said that members of the association were vehemently opposed to gaming expansion

“Gaming to a segment of the gaming industry that has proved, for decades, to be unwilling to follow the rules and regulations that guarantee a fair and safe gambling environment, and that comply with federal laws designed to stop money laundering.”

On the same day, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced new regulatory settlements with three cardrooms that demonstrated an unwillingness or inability to comply with the laws of the state. It includes the Magnolia House Casino and the Paso Robles Central Coast Casino.

About sherlock

Sherlock Gomes loves to write and express his views on anything related to Gaming, Gambling, & Casino. He has been covering Gaming for more than two years now.