California could expand gambling
An initiative to allow sports betting in the state was cleared to collect signatures to get the measure on the 2020 ballot.
US.- Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced that the process to include sports betting legalisation on the 2020 ballot in California has been cleared to begin, and the proponent is set to begin collecting signatures. The proposal is being pushed by political consultant Russell Lowery and would put the western state among new sports betting jurisdictions like New Jersey or West Virginia.
The proposal would need 585,407 signatures collected by February in order to get included on the 2020 election ballot. It would expand tribes’ rights over certain games but would also expand competition for them as it would clear nontribal cardclubs to take sports wagers.
“This proposed measure would bring Vegas-style gaming to nearly 100 locations and urban areas throughout California,” said Mark Macarro, chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. “This is not in keeping with California’s longstanding policy of limited gaming, and we will vigorously oppose this measure.”
“The tribes are in no rush,” added lobbyist David Quintana, who represents tribal gaming groups such as the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians near San Diego. “Our first priority with sports wagering is to ensure that brick-and-mortar casinos are protected,” he assured.
