California voters have decided against allowing in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and licensed racetracks, and online sports betting. The dual decisions came from two different ballot measures: Propositions 26 and 27.
Proposition 26 gained support from the tribal casinos and racetracks, while Proposition 27 was supported by sportsbooks like DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM.
Proposition 27 also received support from those who believed it would fund a good cause. The money is required to address the state’s homelessness and mental health crisis and fund permanent shelter and addiction treatment centers.
“Prop 27 — The California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act is the only measure on the 2022 ballot that will guarantee hundreds of millions of dollars each year to fight homelessness and fund mental health treatment in California,” the Yes to Prop 27 website reads.
However, some opponents said the value it would provide is overstated and that it could create a potential gambling problem.
“Voters don’t think that the homeless situation in California is simply a money situation,” Kathy Fairbanks, a spokesperson for Yes on 26 told Straight Arrow News. “They think it’s a failure of government. They think it’s a bureaucratic problem. It’s a red tape problem.”
Since the Supreme Court struck down a ban on sports betting in 2018, 30 states and the District of Columbia have allowed some form of legal sportsbook.
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