AFSCME Opposes Sports Betting at Tribal Casinos in California 

AFSCME Opposes Sports Betting at Tribal Casinos in California 

District Council 36 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has opposed Proposition 26 in California. The latter measure would legalize sports betting at tribal casinos in California.

Our Recommended Betting App 2021

Our Rating

  • Available On Android, iOS, Windows And BlackBerry Devices
  • Offers Up To £100 in Free Bets Upon Registration
  • Unrivalled In-Play Sportsbook Experience
  • Best In Class Sportsbook With Wide Range of Betting Markets
Betfair sportsbook app

AFSCME

Proposition 26 Would Make Sports Betting Legal in Tribal Casinos

In the regulated gambling industry, the tribal measure has become a contentious issue. Numerous tribal organizations support Proposition 26, but commercial operators are wary of it. 

To elaborate, commercial companies fear that the measure would grant a monopoly to tribal operators. In addition, there are concerns that the proposed amendment will lead to the bankruptcy of California’s cardrooms and commercial gaming businesses.

In addition, the measure would allow tribal operators to file lawsuits against their commercial counterparts. To elaborate, Proposition 26 would amend the Private Attorneys General Act to permit Indian-owned casinos to hire private attorneys to gain a competitive advantage in court. As a result of the threats posed by Proposition 26 to the commercial gambling industry, a large number of businesses have resolutely opposed the measure. Now, the AFSCME has joined this battle.

Thousands face the risk of losing jobs

The AFSCME District Council 36 is concerned about the potentially devastating effects of the tribal measure. According to the organization, thousands of jobs will be at risk because Proposition 26 will also grant tribal operators additional monopolies. 

According to the proposal, tribal casinos would acquire monopolies over casino games like roulette and craps. AFSCME estimates that as many as 32,000 people could lose their jobs. This would have a devastating effect on the economy and negatively impact minority workers in the gambling industry.

In addition, the AFSCME is concerned that tribal operators will not hesitate to use the Private Attorneys General Act to sue their competitors in light of the legal amendments. Shavon Moore-Cage, an AFSCME member, added that $500 million in local tax revenue is at risk due to Proposition 26. 

Moore-Cage referred to the proposal as a lethal “poison pill” that would harm employees and eliminate community cardrooms. She admitted that she fears this will result in the loss of employment for thousands of workers, including herself. Moore-Cage stated that she had already lost a job when a local cardroom was forced to close due to the pandemic.

In light of this, she asserted that her claims are not hypothetical but rather grounded in her own experience. Despite massive investments from commercial behemoths, California’s bill to legalize online sports betting fell short of the necessary support. This rendered Proposition 26 unopposed on the November ballot.

Our Recommended Betting App 2021

Our Rating

  • Available On Android, iOS, Windows And BlackBerry Devices
  • Offers Up To £100 in Free Bets Upon Registration
  • Unrivalled In-Play Sportsbook Experience
  • Best In Class Sportsbook With Wide Range of Betting Markets
Betfair sportsbook app

About Lou De Aguila

Lou Aguila is a news and feature writer for Golden Casino News. For over a decade, Lou has published news and featured articles for some of the most reputable sports betting and online casino sites in the world, including BetNow.UK, VegasOdds, and BWin. Apart from being a hardcore live casino punter, he also covers sports stories in North American leagues from time to time.