California Sports Betting: Tribes Strongly Oppose Legalized Gambling Initiatives

When is sports betting coming to California. Not any time soon, by the looks of some recent opposition in the state.

Amidst an already uphill battle for legalized sports betting in the state of California, initiatives to introduce legislation have hit another snag as the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) unanimously voted to oppose recent measures. 

Two separate ballot initiatives around sports betting are the subject of the opposition vote, with CNIGA chair James Siva slamming the proposed legislation for attempting to more aggressively push their measures forward.

“The disingenuous nature of these initiatives should be a red flag to every tribal government as well as every voter in California. The proponent of the measures are attempting to divide and conquer tribes by pushing an initiative that attempts to legitimize illicit off-shore operators and putting our governments at risk,” said Siva in a published statement.

The proponents of the ballot initiatives attempted to sweeten the deal by offering an additional share of the revenue and adjusting the go-live date to July 1, 2025 at the earliest, but these amendments were met with further rebuttal.

When Will Sports Betting Come to California?

Since the law against sports betting was overturned by the Supreme Court, California has been one of the most desirable markets for online sports wagering but has yet to gain any traction in the state.

With the loud and clear opposition from the Tribal Gaming Association, any chance of legalized sports betting legislation beeing brought forth California in 2024 is seemingly out the window for both retail and mobile wagering. This means 2025 is the absolute earliest launch window for the state, though the tone seems to suggest it could be much further down the line.

However, California residents are able to play the fantasy "pick 'em" style contests on platforms such as PrizePicks and Parlay Play, contests that have come under scrutiny in recent months as being sports betting in disguise and circumventing the legislation that prevents sports wagering in those states.

For now, these platforms remain operational and if you want to learn more about them, Dimers has previously educated users by reporting on the ins and outs of each platform.

RELATED: Dimers' Best-Reviewed Sports Betting Sites

Where is Sports Betting Legalized?

Currently, sports betting is legal across more than 30 states in the U.S., though some still offer just in-person wagering. Dimers' Best Sportsbooks section identifies every book available in each state, with thorough and detailed reviews on each.

Some states like Nebraska and Vermont are pending launches and as Dimers has previously reported, Vermont users can begin the sign-up process at sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel.

Others like North Carolina are currently setting up their launch, though some changes to the sports betting bill have delayed the process and now online sports betting is expected to go live in the state between January and June of 2024.

RELATED: What is Taking North Carolina so Long to Launch Sports Betting?

Responsible gambling means setting limits, staying in control, and understanding that luck is just part of the game. Make informed choices, set a budget, and know when to take a break. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.