Tribes Expect California Sports Betting Push in 2026

No California sports betting bill appeared on the 2024 election ballot. That is apparently on track to change in 2026.

Members of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association have recently stated their intention to sponsor a proposal that would legalize sports betting in California during the 2026 election. This, of course, has long been a common expectation. Some held out hope a 2024 bill could make the cut. However, given how the 2022 elections unfolded, most assumed there would be a longer gap in between initiatives.

In fact, some have even come to believe that a proposal will not appear on the 2026 ballot. Despite the rising popularity of sports betting in the United States, the division among tribes and corporate operators has at times seemed that stark.

At least for now, though, it seems those concerns are overstated. And if we had to guess, a California sports betting proposal will appear on the 2026 election ballot. What will it look like? And will it pass? Those are different stories.

California Sports Betting Appears to be a Priority for the State’s Tribes

Some iota of news related to California sports betting was bound to trickle out around the 2024 election. But the latest information is certainly more definitive than not. Here is Dan Holmes from PlayCA with the full details:

“To paraphrase Mark Twain, the death of sports betting in California may have been greatly exaggerated. It could return to the ballot sooner than predicted. The legalization of California sportsbooks could be put to the state’s voters as soon as 2026, leaving the matter to voters once again. Notably, a group of tribal nation leaders that belong to the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) announced this week that they anticipate a new tribal-driven initiative would be ready for its members to consider for the 2026 election cycle. In 2022, state voters rejected two ballot initiatives that would have made it legal to bet on sports in California, albeit under vastly different models. Those proposals failed due to contentious rancor over the way legalized betting would have been implemented, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars spent by what many saw as outside influences.”

This is a big deal for anyone who has followed the California sports gambling news cycle. Then again, tribes always figured to eventually revisit a proposal. The bigger question is whether top online sportsbooks in the United States such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars and the like attempt to get involved.

Online Sports Betting in California May Have to Wait

Make no mistake, the interest of online sportsbooks in The Golden State is a given. Most experts believe the California sports betting market will be the most lucrative in the U.S. Online operators absolutely want to enter the market.

Unlike last time, though, they may not deliver their own separate proposal. Indeed, it seems as if they are prepared to take a more collaborative approach to the legalization of California sports betting.

In particular, FanDuel CEO Amy Howe has emphasized the importance of working in tandem with tribes on a California online sports betting model. Initially, this appears to mean online operators such as FanDuel themselves will have to wait.

The prevailing belief is that tribes will seek to legalize sports betting exclusively for their operations in 2026. Then, around 2028, they would consider or allow online sportsbooks to enter the market.

Mobile betting sites in the USA are free to try overriding this approach. They banded together to sponsor their own bill in 2022. That could happen again in 2026.

But that strategy proved to be expensive—and then fruitless. This, in theory, is the safer approach. And while they would have to wait another few years before entering California, it beats potentially failing to enter the market at all.

Plus, in the meantime, they might be able to partner with California tribes. Think of the setup of sports betting in Florida. The Seminole Tribe has gaming exclusivity. But they also have the right to partner with online sportsbooks. These operators can offer their services in The Sunshine State in exchange for giving the Seminole Tribe a percentage of their revenue.

Could the next California sports betting bill bake in similar language? We should know more early next year.

How Will Sponsors Seek to Legalize Sports Betting in The Golden State?

This is a big question for many. As it stands, California has two avenues to explore. First, there is the more traditional route. This entails getting a bill approved by the House of Representatives and Senate before putting it in front of voters.

Alternatively, though, sponsors could get California residents to sign a petition. If they receive the required number of signatures from all the necessary districts, that petition could then be validated and put on the 2026 election ballot. This is the approach pro sports franchises have taken to try legalizing sports betting in Missouri.

While the latter scenario protects bill supporters against opposition in the House and Senate, few expect California to travel down this path. Missouri, as an example, is a different situation. They have never seen sports betting bills make it past the House and Senate. California has approved two initiatives before, back in 2022.

None of which means the next California sports betting bill is a formality. There will be debates. And opposition. But if it’s an initiative the tribes are on board, state legislators will likely find a way to give it the green light. Ergo, the next push for California sports betting is unlikely to try circumventing the House and Senate.

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