The California Tribal Coalition stands strongly against sports betting proposals

California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) She announced her firm opposition to two proposed sports betting initiatives, presenting a united front against what she sees as deceptive measures.

CNIGA chief raises alarms over deceptive sports betting initiatives

CNIGA President, James SivaThey expressed concerns about the initiatives, highlighting their deceptive nature. president Sword He stated during a press conference in Sacramento that the proponent of the measures was trying to divide and conquer tribes by pushing an initiative that seeks to legalize illegal marine operators and endanger their governments.

The 52-member coalition, representing federally recognized tribal governments and associate members, is dedicated to the preservation and protection of Indian gaming on federally recognized Indian lands. Their firm stance against sports betting initiatives stems from a commitment to protecting tribal sovereignty and integrity.

In a message Addressed to Eagle 1 Procurement Company Executive Directors Casey Thompson, Reeve Collins, and petition signer Ryan Tyler Walls, CNIGA28 tribes urged their supporters to immediately withdraw their initiatives. The letter emphasized the strong opposition from more than half of California’s tribal nations, and condemned the proposals as insulting and misguided.

California tribal heavyweights gang up on the latest in sports betting

Sports betting initiativeswhich was introduced on October 27, is facing significant resistance from tribes, including some of the state’s largest casino operators such as The San Manuel, Pechanga, Graton Rancheria, Agua Caliente, Barona and Rincon tribes.

These tribal heavyweights, who collectively spent more than $220 million in 2022 to defeat an earlier sports betting proposal, remain steadfast in their opposition to what they see as an attempt to hijack tribal goodwill for personal gain.

the CNIGA He also expressed concerns about a plan to transfer offshore assets to tribes, calling it a cynical and disingenuous attempt to purge illegal offshore online gambling companies with a track record of illicit activity. They vowed to campaign aggressively against the initiatives, similar to their successful effort in 2022, which resulted in an 82% vote against a similar proposal.

Despite the amendments made to the initiative by supporters, and the removal of language that some tribes consider problematic, the CNIGA remains firm in its opposition.

The Tribal Alliance firmly believes that 2024 is not a good time for sports betting in California, and views it as an issue for 2026 at the earliest. They stressed the importance of tribal sovereignty and the support it enjoys among California voters, strengthening their commitment to defeating the proposed sports betting measures.