Regulated sports betting in California would require a constitutional amendment to expand their gaming into sports wagering statewide. Amendments to a state’s constitution are to be made via public vote by residents once government officials pass the proper legislation. In this case, a petition signed by 997,139 is what’s required to get the topic of sports betting on the ballot in November 2022.
The tribes in California will already appear on the ballot for sportsbooks as they turned in the required verified signatures to the state earlier this year. Through their initiative, they will have the monopoly on sports wagering in the Golden State, where the market would be a land-based only industry for at least five years at tribal gaming establishments. Should the commercialized version of sports gaming also get a spot on the ballot, this could cause a major issue with the state and tribes in regards to their gaming industries and the revenue tribes already bring into California every year.
The new petition has until April 2022 to acquire and verify the required number of signatures. Known as “California Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act” as it has been for years, there will be a window for public opinion until mid-September before signatures will start being collected. This specific initiative would allow for both brick-and-mortar and mobile sportsbooks statewide. It has been a measure that has yet to be realized for over five years.