California tribes push for sports betting

California tribes have proposed a ballot measure to legalise sports betting in the next November General Election.

US.- Everybody wants a piece of sports betting and California tribes are not the exception. Federally recognised tribes in the state are pushing a ballot measure to get the segment going.

California has always been ahead of the rest in legislation, but not with sports betting. However, that may change soon enough, as the ballot measure would take the matter to the November General Election.

The California tribes proposal is to legalise sports betting at their casinos and some race tracks. Moreover, to let them run roulette and dice games, all subject to a potential gaming compact.

However, not all tribal members are on board with the proposal, as the Secretary of State’s Office revealed. Edwin Thorpe Romero, Tribal Chair of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, Jeff Grubbe, Tribal Chair of the Agua Band of Cahuilla Indians, Anthony Roberts, Tribal Chair of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and Marc Macarro, Tribal Chair of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, are all against it.

Endangered card rooms

California is soon to pass new regulations for the segment and everybody in it has voiced their concerns. According to California card rooms, their business could be in jeopardy should new rules pass.

The California Bureau of Gambling Control wants players to take turns acting as dealers at their tables. In case anyone doesn’t want to do so, the play would stop. That would end current regulation, which has a dealer ready to step in should any player refuse to deal.

“No one in the card room industry relishes confronting their regulator, right?” asked California Gaming Association president Kyle Kirkland. “We wouldn’t advocate for it. However, it’s so lethal and so disruptive to our people and our communities, that we have to push back.”

“If the language that was presented today was implemented tomorrow, virtually every card room in the state would be out of business,” Kirkland said.