California tribes seek industry input for 2028 sports betting initiative
CNIGA is consulting commercial operators and vendors as it develops a potential 2028 ballot initiative for online sports betting.
U.S.-The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) has begun discussions with selected commercial sportsbook operators and vendors as it develops a potential 2028 ballot initiative for online sports betting. Its Request for Information (RFI), issued June 3 with submissions due July 1, was reviewed during July and August, although CNIGA has not disclosed which or how many companies were selected.
More than 50 of California’s 109 tribes belong to CNIGA, including Graton Rancheria, Morongo, Pechanga and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The RFI establishes seven principles: tribal ownership and leadership, protection of sovereignty and gaming exclusivity, benefits for all tribes, priority funding for Revenue Sharing Trust Fund-eligible tribes, an Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) framework and protection against igaming.
Under the presumed IGRA model, tribes would own betting licences and operating partners would pay 60 per cent of revenue to tribes. The RFI also calls for bets to be considered placed where the receiving server is physically located, with servers required to be on Indian land, while IGRA partnerships would need National Indian Gaming Commission approval.
CNIGA is considering three structures: a single exclusive white-label operator; multiple platforms using tribal-facing brands with commercial companies providing back-end services; or multiple platforms allowing tribal, commercial and co-branded operators.
The document excludes igaming, while allowing potential commercial partners to provide technology and other services. Tribes would pay the state 10 per cent to 25 per cent of net gaming revenue and retain ownership of their data.
Potential partners were asked about revenue sharing, contract terms, technology, retail options, staffing, responsible gaming tools, affordability checks, marketing restrictions and contributions to research and treatment programmes. They were also asked about funding for the ballot initiative, licensing and contract fees, and marketing during the first five years. The effort follows the failure of a commercial-backed sports betting initiative in 2022, which was opposed by California tribes.
