In a decisive move, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) unanimously voted 18-0 to reject two recently proposed sports betting initiatives. This comes after nearly $600 million was spent on the unsuccessful 2022 ballot measures, Propositions 26 and 27, both failing to secure more than 33% of votes.
The new initiatives, filed late last month, present a distinctive approach. One aims to grant exclusive authority to California Indian gaming tribes for sports wagering, sidelining other operators. The second proposes a “gaming compact,” suggesting negotiations between the governor and tribes for both online and in-person betting rights.
Lingering Doubts
This departure from last year’s efforts is marked by the absence of pre-introduction discussions with tribal groups, raising concerns within CNIGA about the hasty nature of the proposals. While not dismissing the initiatives outright, the association questions the readiness of voters to make such consequential decisions immediately after the 2022 elections.
The unified tribal opposition, led by CNIGA Chairman James Siva, reflects intricate dynamics within California’s gaming landscape. Siva has voiced concerns about external influences attempting to sway tribal decisions, stating, “It goes back to holding tribes’ feet to the fire, as you are either going to get on board with this or we’re going to do it for you. That’s never going to work for us.”
Challenging Timeline
The two initiatives, submitted by Kasey Thompson and endorsed by Ryan Tyler Walz, face a challenging timeline. Filed on October 27th, the duo aims to consult with all tribes for input and amendments by December 1st. This schedule, however, drew criticism from tribal leaders who lamented the lack of prior consultation during the initial filing.
Siva expressed skepticism about garnering tribal support within the limited timeframe, stating, “They’re going to have to get a large number of tribes in the same room. Falling short of that, I don’t know how they’re going to get enough momentum behind this to make it viable. If tribes are going to be supportive of this, it’s going to take a lot of tribal input and edits, and the clock is already ticking.”
Adding to the opposition, Jacob Mejia, representing a tribal coalition that opposed Prop 27, expressed doubt about the initiatives. Mejia stated, “This proposal has not been well-received by tribal leaders. Any efforts to change the constitution and directly affect tribal sovereignty and gaming rights should be undertaken by tribes themselves.”
Looking Ahead
In addition to shouldering the financial obligations tied to these initiatives, the groups must secure more than 800,000 signatures by the conclusion of the summer season to ensure the bills’ inclusion in the 2024 election.
Whether Thompson and Walz can overcome opposition, navigate tribal dynamics, and secure support remains uncertain. The 2024 election, with its potential to reshape California’s sports betting landscape, now stands as a question mark, awaiting the outcome of a high-stakes tribal and legislative chess game.
