Proponents of possibly a third wagering measure on the 2022 California general election vote claim a survey carried out earlier this summer shows Golden State residents back the plan to legalize the gaming industry statewide.
Californians for Mental Health Support and Solutions to Homeless this week released poll findings from David Binder Research. The results indicated that 62% of potential voters would back the raising of the fund to give permanent housing for refugees and enhance services for those struggling with addiction and mental health problems. Currently, only 25% oppose.
The money to address those problems would come from legalizing gambling statewide, with both tribal and commercial operators able to take part. Seven current and enthusiastic operators support the initiative and are ready to raise $100 million for permits to operate online in the most prominent US state.
However, before any of that can happen, the band must first get about 1 million confirmed signatures on the petition form and that paperwork submitted to county executives possibly by late April to have the measure on the ballot.
The state attorney general’s office is currently preparing the petition for the state’s secretary. According to State Secretary Dr. Shirley N. Weber, her office hopes to receive the documents around November 4. The organizations passing on such measures often have up to 180 days to gather signatures. However, that timespan may get squeezed due to deadlines fixed for the November election.
Nevertheless, backers are assertive they can get the 997,139 confirmed signatures to make the ballot.
“We expect the initiative to win broad support across all geographic and party lines,” group spokesperson Nathan Click told Casino.org this week.
While Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office put together the initiative, it is also undergoing the usual 30-day review where the public can review the full measure and give comments. Views will be allowed next Thursday.
Sports betting tell tribal casinos measures suit each other
The casino operators backing the measure are:
- Bally’s Interactive
- DraftKings
- BetMGM
- FanDuel
- Fanatics Betting & Gaming
- WynnBET
- Penn National/Barstool Sportsbook
They officially announced their initiative in late August and have pledged $100 million for the campaign.
According to their plan, online wagering permits would be available for $100 million. In addition, tribal gaming facilities could get online licenses for $10 million, though they wouldn’t work with a commercial organization. Specifically, the mobile app would have to be under either the tribe’s name or its sportsbook.
In that respect, the organization says its initiative suit the ballot measure California tribal representatives presented earlier this year. Some tribal facilities collaborated to have a retail-only initiative on the ballot, and California election executives confirmed their petition in late May.
Along with brick-and-mortar sports betting at the tribal casinos, the measure also allows pedigree racetracks, Golden Gate Fields, Del Mar, Santa Anita Park, and Los Alamitos to run a retail casino. Racing executives have said wagering would be a way to increase purses and allure more horses and horse riders to their tournaments.
Cardrooms staking on cities’ plan
One band that is excluded from the sportsbooks and the tribal measures is the state-licensed cardrooms. However, they would be involved in an action steered by an organization known as Cities for Responsible Sports Betting. The group announced its petition filing with the attorney general’s office a few weeks before the sports betting initiative.
In addition, City for Responsible Sports Betting would allow tribal casino operators, state-licensed gaming facilities, and licensed sports leagues to offer sports betting. Besides, it permits online sports betting.
Comparable to the sportsbooks’ effort, the cities’ plan requires the tax revenue from wagering to solve mental health and homelessness problems. Furthermore, proceeds could head for public education and COVID-19 aid.
Last Updated on by Ryan
