The midterm elections in the US will be held on November 8, followed by the general election in California, and once voters have started receiving their ballots, this time, voters will be able to decide whether to allow online betting in addition to roulette, dice games and sports betting.
Measures 26 and 27 are part of the 7 state propositions in which Californians will have to make a decision to vote for or against, here we explain what they are both about.
And knowing and staying informed about electoral decisions that may affect the lives of residents in the state is of utmost importance. Recently, the session "Pros and cons electoral initiatives presented by the League of Women Voters of San Mateo County" was held through the organization Thrive.
But what are electoral measures?
League members Linda Atkinson and Kathy Wheeler, who led the briefing, noted that ballot measures, or propositions, are proposed laws that are presented to the public for a vote.
Propositions can change existing laws and sometimes amend the California Constitution. Propositions can be placed on the ballot either by individuals who gather enough signatures on a petition or by state legislators.
The League of Women Voters of San Mateo County suggests asking yourself some important questions about each proposition when casting your vote: Does the ballot measure address a real problem? Is it the best solution to the problem or is it too complex? Who are the stakeholders and what do they gain? and What are the tax implications?
Measure 26 seeks to allow roulette, dice games and sports betting on tribal lands.
The ballot question is: Should California legalize sports betting roulette and craps games at tribal casinos?
Currently, California allows the Lottery, horse racing betting parlors, gambling, and Native American-owned casinos in California. However, craps, casino-style gambling, and betting on sporting events are illegal in the state.
If Proposition 26 passes, it would allow tribal casinos to run roulette and craps games on-site for sports betting for people 21 and older.
The ballot measure would define sports betting as wagering on the outcomes of professional, collegiate or amateur sporting and athletic events, with the exception of high school sports and events involving a California varsity team. Individuals would have to be 21 years of age to participate in legal sports betting.
The ballot measure would enact a 10 percent tax on profits derived from sports betting at racetracks. The state government would be required to distribute the revenue as follows: 15 percent to the California Department of Health to research, develop, and implement programs for problem gambling and mental health prevention and to provide grants to local governments to address problem gambling and mental health; 15 percent to the Bureau of Gaming Control to enforce and implement sports betting and other forms of gambling within the state; and 70 percent to the General Fund.
The ballot measure would also legalize roulette and craps games at tribal casinos; however, compacts between tribes and states would need to be amended before these games could be offered.
Supporters of Prop 26 say it would continue the 20-year legacy of allowing closely regulated profiteering to support Native American economies. They also believe it is the most responsible approach to authorizing sports betting and would promote self-sufficiency for Native American tribes.
Opponents say the proposition would massively expand gambling in California to benefit large tribal casinos, leave casino workers unprotected from wage and hour security, harassment and anti-discrimination laws. They say gambling is addictive and that legalizing more gambling is bad for public health.
Measure 27, meanwhile, seeks to legalize sports betting and raise money for the homeless prevention fund initiative.
The question is: Should California allow online and mobile sports betting for people 21 and older?
Proposition 27 seeks a constitutional amendment and statute to authorize a gaming tribe, an online sports betting platform with an operating agreement with a gaming tribe, or a qualified gaming business with a market access agreement with a gaming tribe to operate online sports betting for individuals 21 years of age or older in the state, but off of tribal lands.
The amendment would ban online sports betting on youth sports. The proposed law would create the Online Sports Betting Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice. The bill would give the division authority to regulate the online sports betting industry and investigate illegal sports betting activities. The amendment would take effect on January 1, 2023.
In turn, the proposed law would establish the California Online Sports Betting Trust Fund. Revenue from licensing fees, renewals, and the sports betting tax would be deposited into the fund. After deducting regulatory costs, 85 percent of the fund’s revenue would be allocated to the California Mental Health Support and Homeless Solutions Account for permanent and interim housing and 15 percent of the revenue to the Tribal Economic Development Account, which would be established by the initiative to provide funding to Indian tribes to expand tribal government, public health, education, infrastructure, and economic development.
Currently, mobile and in-person sports betting are illegal in California.
Supporters of Prop 27 say the measure will provide hundreds of millions of dollars to support programs that help people with mental health issues, homelessness and addiction in California. They also say it will benefit all tribes in the state, especially rural and economically disadvantaged tribes that do not own large casinos.
Opponents say it is a deceptive measure promoted by out-of-state companies to legalize online and mobile sports betting. They also point out that online gambling is not a solution to homelessness or other social ills and will open more people up to gambling addictions.
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