Is Sports Betting Online Legal In California
California has attempted to legalize online gambling in the state multiple times. California has legalized daily fantasy sports, however, DFS has the distinction of not being classified as online betting. Despite some progress on the issue, the attempts to legalize online sports betting hasn’t become reality. Yes, it is legal. However, sports betting at regulated online betting sites in California is not explicitly stated as legal under state law. Bovada is not legal in California, since it's an unregulated offshore sportsbook operating in the shadows of the U.S. But it's the sports betting avenue many turn to since there's no legal betting in the state. California Sports Betting Tips Sports Betting for Beginners.
- Is Sports Betting Online Legal In California Now
- Is Sports Betting Online Legal In California 2020
- Is Sports Betting Online Legal In California 2019
| California Legalize Sports Betting Amendment | |
|---|---|
| Election date November 3, 2020 | |
| Topic Gambling | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type Constitutional amendment | Origin State legislature |
The California Legalize Sports Betting Amendment was not on the ballot in California as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2020.
The ballot measure would have authorized sports betting, including online or mobile sports betting, in California. The ballot measure would have allowed tribal casinos and licensed horseracing tracks to operate sports betting. The ballot measure would have also authorized licensed gambling establishments to offer games played with cards or tiles in which participants wager against each other.[1]
The ballot measure would have taxed on-site sports betting at 10 percent of gross revenue and online sports betting at 15 percent of gross revenue.[1]
Is Sports Betting Online Legal In California Now
- 1Text of measure
Text of measure
Constitutional changes
- See also: Article IV, California Constitution
The measure would have amended Section 19 of Article IV of the California Constitution.[1]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the California Constitution
In California, a two-thirds vote is needed in each chamber of the California State Legislature to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot for voter consideration.
The constitutional amendment was introduced into the California State Legislature as Senate Constitutional Amendment 6 (SCA 6) on June 27, 2019. On June 22, 2020, Sen. Bill Dodd, the amendment's lead legislative sponsor, requested that hearings on SCA 6 be canceled.[1] Sen. Dodd said, 'Given the deadlines for getting a measure on the November ballot and the impact of COVID-19 on the public’s ability to weigh in, we were not able to get the bill across the finish line this year. It remains important that we lift this widespread practice out of the shadows to make it safer and to generate money for the people of California. I will continue to be engaged in the issue as we work toward 2022.'[2]
See also
Is Sports Betting Online Legal In California 2020
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.01.11.21.3California State Legislature, 'Senate Concurrent Resolution 6,' accessed June 8, 2020
- ↑SBC Americas, 'California sports betting bill pulled over tribal opposition,' June 23, 2020
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With 40 million people, another 40+ million annual tourists and more professional sports teams than any other state, California would be a gold rush for legal sports wagering in the US.
Two attempts are ongoing to legalize sports betting in California. A proposed tribal initiative would legalize sports wagering at land-based Indian casinos and horse racing tracks. A legislative effort would also authorize online and mobile wagering through platforms affiliated with the tribal casinos and racetracks.
Is Sports Betting Online Legal In California 2019
Both CA sports betting efforts have until June 25 to qualify for the ballot. The legalization of sports betting in California requires a constitutional amendment approved by voters.
The future of California sports betting
There’s a building pressure to legalize sports betting in California. With a budget deficit of$54 billion as a result of economic impacts from the coronavirus, California can use all new revenue sources to lessen cuts in important areas.
Eilers & Krejcik projects that CA sports betting under the legislative amendment would produce $503 million in revenue for the state at market maturity. The firm projected $282 million in the first six months including initial license fees.
But like all gambling issues in California, hostility between the tribes and cardrooms makes it difficult to make any progress.
Ironically, the legislative effort is opposed by the tribes, which would get top billing for offering California sports betting, and supported by the cardrooms, which would be locked out of CA sports betting all together.
This is because SCA 6 and ACA 16 would also allow cardrooms to continue their workaround for offering house-banked card games as consolation for giving up sports betting in California.
To reach the ballot, the legislative referendum needs approval from two-thirds of members in each chamber before lawmakers go on summer recess on June 19.
Tribes also haven’t given up on their own initiative, which seemed on the way to gathering enough valid signatures to make the ballot before the coronavirus shut down signature gathering. Although the deadline to submit signatures for count has passed, the tribes plan to challenge the deadline by legal means.
There’s the possibility of both making the ballot, though the better odds are on neither. Measures on the ballot in November must pass by majority vote.
If neither make the ballot, Californians will need to wait for the next election in 2022 for another run at a constitutional amendment.
When will online sports betting launch in California?
If the legislative effort is successful this year, online sports betting is likely to begin in California by the end of 2021 or early in 2022.
If the tribal initiative passes, sports betting will start without online wagering. After a few years, the tribes may reassess and pursue online sports betting in California.
However, a tribal leader at a June 2020 hearing spoke of tribal concerns about online wagering’s cannibalization of their brick-and-mortar investments.
Without online wagering, Eilers & Krejcik projects state revenue from sports betting to shrink to $200 million a year.
