Legalizing sports betting in California could be seeking voter approval as two state legislators are pushing to add a proposal to the November ballot.
State Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced) have proposed placing the issue on the ballot this fall as a constitutional amendment, according to Market Watch.
“Upon maturity, it could raise a maximum of $700 million a year in revenue,” Paul Payne, Dodd’s press secretary, told the Northern California Record.
The legislation cleared the Senate Governmental Organization June 2 and is going before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Dodd said sports betting is already illegally happening in the state, but legalizing it would allow the state to protect consumers while also bringing in revenue, according to Market Watch.
“Sports betting will continue to occur regardless of its legality,” he said in his statement. “A vote for my bill is a vote to regulate the industry, to protect consumers and to ensure California gets its fair share.”
Revenue from sports betting could be used for public education, especially since the COIVD-19 pandemic has caused a huge reduction in state revenue.
The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way in 2018 for legalized sports betting, overturning a federal ban. Now, 22 states have legalized it and others are considering the legalization, according to Market Watch.
Under the bill, sports wagering would be allowed at tribal casinos and the major racetracks in California through mobile devices. It would also let tribal casinos offer craps and roulette.
But tribal casinos have said the legislation would also legalize so-called "California games" at card rooms, according to Market Watch. Those are games where the role of the dealer rotates between the players.
For years, the tribal casinos have argued California games are illegal and writing them into the law would lead to an expansion of the games with the card rooms, which are major competitors to the tribal casinos.