In defiance of two recent legislative proposals concerning the introduction of sports betting to California’s elective agenda in 2024, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) has taken a firm stand against these initiatives. Chairman James Siva publicly criticized the strategy employed by non-tribal proponents Kasey Thompson and Reeve Collins, who are at the center of one such contentious proposal—the Sports Wagering Regulation and Tribal Gaming Protection Act.
The initiative in question, heralded on the tail end of October by the duo, Collins and Thompson, has sparked considerable ire among tribal leaders for its failure to involve the key stakeholders in its formulation. Labeling the campaign as distasteful and a divisive tactic against the tribes, Siva expressed his profound disapproval for the approach chosen by the architects of the Act, darkly hinting at the specter of historical exploitation and vowing resistance to any repeat of the past.
The CNIGA, representing some 52 member Tribes, functions as the cooperative voice for California Tribal casino enterprises. Its staunch opposition to the Act could very well suggest that any disregard for existing tribal compacts and further ventures into Class III gaming such as sports wagering without tribal consensus might signpost such propositions to early graves.
Collins and Thompson’s oversight in ignoring the tribal exclusivity accords enshrined in state legislation not only undermined vital relationships but might have doomed the Act to failure right from its inception. Moreover, CNIGA underscored an apparent neglect by the pair to account for a likely voter fatigue on the issue, as multi-million dollar campaigns around similar propositions in 2022 ended in resolute voter rejections.
Signaling a consensus amongst themselves, California Tribal casino administrators lean towards deferring the topic of sports betting until at least the midterms of 2026. However, the CNIGA membership does not entirely dismiss the proposed legislation; some members appraise the act as a potential scaffold for a future initiative, albeit the odds appear unfavorable for its placement in the 2024 electoral rounds.
California Tribes are open to collaboration but insist on primary consultation and leading roles in any gaming-related initiatives. A measured entry into sports wagering by firstly establishing retail sportsbooks within their casinos before delving into the digital realm is the preferred strategy for the tribal operators within the state.
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