With two ballot initiatives to legalize sports betting in California headed for near-certain defeat in November, players on all sides are beginning to strategize their next moves even as campaign representatives say they remain focused on the election at hand.
Because billions in profits are on the table, it’s likely a matter of when, not if, some form of legal sports betting comes to the state. Californians can expect to see it on the 2024 ballot or on the legislature’s agenda as stakeholders sketch out plans.
But to avoid a repeat of 2022, in which tribal governments, sports betting companies, and card rooms rung up record fundraising of over $400 million to little effect, some form of a grand bargain will need to be struck.
