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- California Proposition 26 would allow for specific types of sports betting on Native American lands.
- Mark Macarro, chairman of Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, argues that residents deserve “highly regulated” and “safe” gambling.
- Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association, argues the proposition would create a tribal casino monopoly.
A “yes” on California’s Proposition 26 would legalize specific types of gambling on Native American lands.
Ballot measure details
Known as the Legalize Sports Betting on American Indian Lands Initiative, Proposition 26 would legalize certain forms of in-person gambling that are currently not permitted — including sports betting, roulette, and dice games — on tribal lands and racetracks, according to the state’s Legislative Analyst Office.
Funds earned via Proposition 26 would initially go to schools and the remainder to California’s discretionary fund, mental health research, and gambling rules.
It’s different from Proposition 27, another sports-betting proposition on the ballot this fall.
Support and opposition
Proposition 26 is sponsored by Native American tribes, such as Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. The campaign in support of the measure is being led by the Coalition for Safe, Responsible Gaming.
“Californians should have the choice to participate in sports wagering at highly regulated, safe, and experienced gaming locations. We are very proud to see tribes from across California come together for this effort, which represents an incremental but important step toward giving Californians the freedom to participate in this new activity in a responsible manner,” Mark Macarro, chairman of Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Taxpayers Against Special Interest Monopolies is leading the campaign against the measure.
“This initiative does nothing to advance sports wagering, and instead expands the tribal casinos’ tax-free monopoly on gaming and rewards those operators for prioritizing their own wealth over public health and safety,” Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association, said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The money race
The proposal has seen more than $132.2 million in support contributions and more than $43.6 million in opposition contributions, according to Ballotpedia.