Tribes in California in favour of sports betting initiative
The California tribes are backing an initiative that would legalise sports betting in the state, as they look for new ways to bring in more revenue.
US.- California is one of the states in the US that is currently looking for ways to legalise sports betting. A coalition of tribes has proposed an initiative for the 2020 ballot that would legalise sports betting in Californian Indian casinos and racetracks.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, 18 tribes filed papers with the state attorney general’s office interested in a title and summary for the initiative that would give them the green light to circulate petitions to qualify for the measure.
The amendment from the tribes, which are led by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, would allow betting on professional, college and a number of amateur sports. High school sports would be banned in the state.
Mark Macarro, chairman of Pechanga, believes that Californians should have the choice to participate in sports betting in a regulated, safe and experienced gaming locations. He explained that the amendment would impose a 10% tax on revenue from sports betting for public safety, mental health programs, education and regulatory costs.
Some of the tribes that operate casinos in California and support the initiative are the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
This isn’t the first attempt to legalise sports betting in the state. Earlier this year, lawmakers filed a constitutional amendment to legalise sports betting. It was the second attempt to regulate sports betting in California as last year a similar amendment failed.
