CNIGA Plans to Push Sports Betting on Future California Ballots

Tribal Control Over Sports Betting

CNIGA’s decision follows the failure of a previous measure, which had been proposed for the 2024 ballot but faced strong opposition from tribal groups.

Private sponsors of that initiative were accused of undermining tribal interests, and the tribes made it clear they would not support the proposal.

The lack of tribal backing was seen as a major obstacle, and sponsors eventually withdrew their support, leaving the matter unresolved.

However, the tribes’ decision to oppose the measure has sparked ongoing discussions about the future of sports betting in California.

While some tribal leaders are cautious about how such legalization could impact their land-based operations, particularly with the potential expansion of iGaming, there is consensus within CNIGA that any attempt to legalize sports betting must be spearheaded by the tribes themselves.

Overcoming Differences Within the Tribal Community

Despite the shared goal of tribal leadership in sports betting, there remain disagreements among the tribes regarding the specifics of how a tribal-led initiative should proceed.

Some tribes are wary of any legalization effort that might open the door to broader iGaming opportunities, such as online casinos, which could compete with their existing operations.

CNIGA, however, is confident that it can navigate these challenges.

The organization believes that with the help of legal consultants and advisors specializing in sports gambling, they can create a framework that addresses the concerns of all involved tribes.

A Unified Approach Is Essential

For any sports betting initiative to succeed, CNIGA recognizes that tribal leaders must come together to ensure a unified front.

Previous measures, such as Prop 26 and Prop 27, failed in part due to a lack of tribal consensus.

Moving forward, the tribes are determined to ensure that they have a significant say in the legalization process, which they argue should preserve their control over any sports betting market.

Battles Beyond Sports Betting

While sports betting remains a focus, CNIGA and the tribes are also continuing their efforts to address other gambling-related issues in California.

Tribes have long opposed card rooms in the state, which they argue exploit a legal loophole to offer “player-bank” games.

The tribes allege that these card room operations threaten their exclusivity over certain gaming activities, and they continue to push for legislative action to shut down the card rooms.