California tribal leaders announced on January 21, 2025, that they won’t push for sports betting legalization on the 2026 ballot. Despite the growing pressure from the rise of unregulated betting options like sweepstakes, tribal leaders agreed that now isn’t the right time to pursue legal sports gambling.
Tribes Seeking Consensus
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) Chairman, James Siva, explained that the tribes have made significant progress in establishing their gaming rights and now want to ensure any new measures, like sports betting, are carefully considered. He emphasized that any future move should not risk the solid foundation tribes have built over the years.
Siva was joined by other tribal leaders including Catalina Chacon, a councilmember from the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians, and Johnny Hernandez, Vice Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The three leaders discussed their plans during a session at the ICE Convention in Barcelona, titled “State of Gambling in California: Current Trends and Future Prospects.”
Siva said, “We’ve come too far to rush into this,” referring to the complexity of sports betting and its connection to online gaming (iGaming). He added that while tribes are patient, they are looking more toward 2028 for potential legalization, but only if all California tribes agree to the terms.
Overcoming Differences Among Tribes
California is home to over 100 tribes, and not all are in the same position when it comes to gaming. While some tribes are wealthy and operate large casinos, others struggle to provide basic services. This diversity makes it difficult to reach consensus on issues like sports betting, which involves more than just expanding gambling—it also affects the overall control tribes have over gaming in the state.
The tribes’ strong stance remains: any expansion of gaming, including sports betting, must be done in partnership with Indian tribes, respecting their sovereignty. This is why they opposed Proposition 27 in 2022, a measure that would have legalized online sports betting by commercial operators, which was heavily funded by out-of-state gambling companies.
Chacon emphasized that any future effort to legalize sports betting must be supported by all tribes, not just the wealthier ones. She stressed the importance of including non-gaming tribes, and ensuring that the entire tribal community benefits from new gambling opportunities.
What’s Next for Tribes and Gambling Expansion?
One of the important issues that still needs to be addressed is the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund (RSTF). This fund is meant to help tribes that do not have land-based casinos by giving them a share of gambling revenue. Currently, this fund is worth only $1.1 million per year, a number that dates back to 1999. Given inflation and the growing market for digital gambling, tribes are considering raising this amount to ensure fair compensation for all.
In 2022, the tribes only wanted to legalize in-person sports betting, whereas commercial operators were looking for online betting options. The tribal leaders did not specify whether their future efforts would include only in-person wagering or also allow for digital betting.
The Rise of Sweepstakes
Another concern that continues to push tribes toward action is the growth of sweepstakes betting, which is not regulated in California. These operators have been advertising on TV and other media, claiming their services are legal despite being unregulated.
Chacon criticized these operators, saying they mislead customers by claiming no money is involved, while in reality, they are taking money from users. Hernandez added that sweepstakes gambling undermines the exclusive rights that tribes hold over gaming, and tribes see this as a violation of their sovereignty.
Looking Ahead: Patience is Key
Despite the frustration over illegal gambling and the commercial push for sports betting, the tribes remain patient. They are focused on finding a solution that works for everyone within Indian Country. “For 2026, we’re being very patient,” said Siva. The tribes have made it clear that their priority is long-term success, not rushing into decisions that could harm their community’s future.
(Source : ggbnews.com)
