On November 8, the midterm elections will take place in the US, to which the general election in California will be added, and once voters have begun to receive their ballots, on this occasion, voters will be able to decide whether to allow online gambling in addition to roulette, craps and sports betting.
Measures 26 and 27 are part of the 7 state propositions in which Californians must make a decision for or against, here we explain what both are about.
And it is that knowing and staying informed about electoral decisions that may affect the lives of residents in the state is of the utmost importance. The session “Electoral initiatives pros and cons presented by the League of County Women Voters” was recently held. de San Mateo" through the organization Thrive.
But what are electoral measures?
League members Linda Atkinson and Kathy Wheeler, who conducted the briefing, reminded the audience that ballot measures, or propositions, are bills that are presented to the public to vote on.
Propositions can change existing laws and sometimes amendments to 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 fiscal implications?
Measure or Proposition 26 seeks to allow roulette, craps, and sports betting on tribal land.
The question the ballot asks is: should California legalize sports betting Roulette and craps at tribal casinos?
Currently, California allows Lottery, horse racing parlors, gambling, and American Indian-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 on-site sports betting for people age 21 and older.
The ballot measure would define sports betting as betting on the results of professional, collegiate, or amateur sports and athletic events, with the exception of high school sports and events involving a California college team. People 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 revenue as follows: 15 percent to the California Department of Health to research, develop and implement programs for the prevention of problem gambling and mental health and provide grants to local governments to address gambling problem and mental health; 15 percent to the Office of Gambling 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 in tribal casinos; however, tribal and state compacts would need to be changed before these games could be offered.
Supporters of Proposition 26 say it would continue the 20-year legacy of allowing tightly regulated profit to support American Indian economies. They also believe that it is the most responsible approach to authorizing sports betting and that it would promote self-sufficiency for indigenous tribes.
Opponents say the proposition would massively expand gambling in California to benefit large tribal casinos, leaving casino workers unprotected from wage and hour security, harassment and anti-discrimination laws. They point out that gambling is addictive and that legalizing more gambling is bad for public health.
For its part, measure or proposition 27 aims to legalize sports betting and income 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 tribe of players, an online sports betting platform with an operating agreement with a tribe of players, or a qualified gaming company with a market access agreement with a tribe of players, may operate online sports betting for individuals 21 years of age or older in the state, but off Indian lands.
The amendment would ban online sports betting on youth sports. The proposed law would create the Online Sports Betting Control 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 enter into force on January 1, 2023.
In turn, the proposed law would establish the California Online Sports Betting Trust Fund. Revenue from license fees, renewals, and sports betting tax would be deposited into the fund. After deducting regulatory costs, 85 percent of the fund's income would be allocated to the California Homeless Solutions and Mental Health Support Account for Permanent and Interim Housing and 15 percent of the income to the California Homeless Solutions and Mental Health Support Account Tribal Economic Development Program, to be established through the initiative to provide funds to Indian tribes to expand tribal government, public health, education, infrastructure, and economic development.
Mobile and in-person sports betting is currently illegal in California.
Supporters of Proposition 27 say this measure will provide hundreds of millions of dollars to support programs that bring relief to people with mental health and homelessness and addiction in California. In addition, they specify that it will benefit all the tribes in the state, especially rural and economically disadvantaged tribes that do not have large casinos.
Opponents point out that it is a deceptive measure promoted by out-of-state companies to legalize online and mobile sports betting. They also stress that online gambling is not a solution to homelessness or other social ills and will open up more people to gambling addictions.
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