There are still 23 counties that have to submit their data to the state. That includes the three counties where supporters gathered the most signatures \u2013 Los Angeles (418,053 signatures), San Diego (134,833), and Riverside (116,277). How \u201cCalifornians for Solutions\u201d fares in those counties will likely determine whether the measure makes the ballot, as those three counties represent 42.7% of the signatures gathered.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, officials in Orange County, which had the fourth-highest total of signatures at 114,595, verified 2,657 out of a random sample of 3,438. That equates to 88,563 signatures that are projected to be valid, or 77.3% of signatures gathered.<\/p>\n
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If the signatures gathered in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside counties match the statewide validity average of 74.6%, then that would put proponents within 20,000 signatures of their goal, with 20 counties remaining to be counted. If those three counties match Orange County\u2019s percentage, then supporters would need less than 800 out of the remaining counties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Should it make the ballot, it would mean California voters would likely have two sports betting measures before them. Last year, the state\u2019s tribal leaders succeeded in their petition drive to seek brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at tribal casinos and the state\u2019s four thoroughbred racetracks. There is a legal challenge to the measure, brought on by state-licensed cardroom casinos, regarding other provisions in the tribal measure. But a similar case has already been dismissed once.<\/p>\n
Sports Betting Battle Likely for November<\/h2>\n If passed, the \u201cCalifornians for Solutions\u201d would allow online sports betting operators to pay $100 million for a license to offer wagering in the largest US state. Besides the very steep licensing fee, the measure also stipulates that applicants must be licensed in 10 other states, or five states if they operate 12 Class III casinos.<\/p>\n
The measure would also allow the state\u2019s tribal gaming operators to get a license for $10 million. But those licenses would be limited in how they could brand themselves.<\/p>\n
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\u201cCalifornians for Solutions\u201d proposes to use the tax money generated from online sports betting to provide funding for services to the state\u2019s homeless community and shore up mental health programs. It also would set aside funding for tribal economic development initiatives. Sports betting operators have pledged to spend $100 million in a campaign to get the measure passed by voters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Despite including tribal gaming operators in the initiative, tribal leaders have spoken out against the measure, and have set up their own group as they look to influence voters to support their measure. The two measures have led to local officials<\/a>, business groups, labor unions<\/a>, and other civic organizations to take positions for or against either bill.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s possible for both measures to be approved by voters. But if that\u2019s the case, tribal casinos would likely see little revenue from sports betting. In other states that allow both online and retail sportsbooks, online is by far the dominant option, attracting upwards of 80% or more of the handle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A proposed initiative asking Californians to legalize online sports betting hit a key milestone Thursday toward getting on November\u2019s ballot. According to the latest figures released by the California Secretary of State\u2019s office, election officials across the state have verified that 22,913 signatures have come from registered voters out of a random 29,494 signatures checked. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":216764,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[61,1074],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
California Online Sports Betting Measure Looks Likely for 2022 Nov. Ballot<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n