When it comes to online gambling legislation, the state of California is certainly lacking. For more than a decade, the state has been unable to pass online poker gaming legislation, no matter how hard they tried. It seems that invested parties like the Tribal gaming operators, card rooms and race tracks were unable to agree on how the industry should get started, which has delayed legalization of the industry. Now that SCOTUS has allowed sports betting to become a reality across the US, California has switched gears to focus on expanding in this area. But just like their online poker efforts, it’s going to take a while.
Recent reports indicate that a proposal for sports betting began to surface last week in the state. This proposal would see sports betting added to the 2020 ballot for voters to decide if it should be an option. the initiate was proposed not by a lawmaker but by a political consultant who works for the card rooms of the state as well as sports leagues and online gambling companies.
Efforts will be slow going as the initiative will have to gain the appropriate approvals with signatures collected first before it will even be placed on the ballot. Even if sports betting comes close to a reality, the state will still have to contend with online gaming operators, card rooms, race tracks and tribal interests and they are all most likely not going to be on the same page when it comes to gaming.
Several states have already started their efforts to legalize sports betting with Delaware being the first state to offer real money wagering on sports. New Jersey was just a few days behind and others are expected to follow in the future.
For now, California will have to work hard to see this proposal make the ballot and hopefully they will consider other options, like online poker, in the meantime.
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