Indian Tribes Opposes Proposal To Legalize Online Sports Betting in California

Published: 23/06/2020

Reading Time: 4 Min

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The country is gradually accepting sports betting operations, as more and more states move to regulate the industry. Lawmakers in California, with the support form NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball, proposal to legalize the state’s Indian Tribes opposed online sports betting.

Online gaming, such as online sports betting and online casinos, gains influence all over the country. Many states are now developing legislature and guidelines for online gaming and sports betting. The shutdown of sportsbooks and the casinos in the country heightened the call for digital ways to offer to gamble the country.

During the stay-at-home mandate of the government, online searches for online gaming, including sports betting, significantly increased. In the absence of significant sports events, gamblers placed their on non-contact sports like table tennis, bowling, and darts. Online sports betting saw a massive increase in their subscriptions and log-ins during the pandemic.

Proposal To Legalize Online Sports Betting

Some lawmakers proposed to amend gambling laws in California to legalize operations of online sports betting. The move should have given gamblers the chance to place their bets on their favorite teams using their cellphones and other gadgets on the sports betting platform.

The proposal was aimed to generate millions of revenue in the form of new taxes for the state. Online sports betting and other forms of online gambling contributed millions in taxes for many states. The industry was considered a lifeline for many economies as they move to recover from the pandemic’s economic impact.

The online gaming sector rose during the pandemic, providing support to government coronavirus projects and initiatives. The industry also provided support to government programs by donating large sums of funds or by providing protective gear and medical supplies to health providers and medical facilities.

Some online gambling platforms initiated campaigns to help people affected by the novel coronavirus. Online gambling became an alternative source for some states, providing millions for coronavirus programs.

Tribes oppose the legalization of sportsbooks

The plan to legalize the industry gained support from the biggest sports leagues in the US, including the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball. However, the sector is facing the opposition of California’sCalifornia’s Native American tribes. The proposal was pulled off on Monday by its co-author Sen. Bill Dodd.

The tribes wanted to limit the bill’s scope to sports betting in land-based casino and horse racing tracks, excluding online betting offerings. Ken Adams, a gaming industry consultant in Reno, said the proposal faced the influence the tribes procured in more than 20 years. He added that anyone who wants new gambling legislation needs to face the tribe.

The concession places the state behind in the race for online sports betting. Currently, nearly two-dozens of states have legalized sports betting. The sector is expected to continue rising as technology rapidly develops.

The novel coronavirus proved the need for casinos and sportsbooks to adapt to the changes brought by the development of the technology.

People want to ease access to entertainment, causing an increase in traffic volume for online casinos and sportsbooks.