2022 California Proposition 27
Proposition 27, also known as the Legalize Sports Betting and Revenue for Homelessness Prevention Fund Initiative was a California ballot proposition that was defeated overwhelmingly by voters in the general election on November 8, 2022. The proposition would have legalized online and mobile sports betting platforms that are associated with an existing gaming tribe.
Proposition 27 was most notable for its large amount of advertising spending and very large margin of defeat; its vote of 17.72% in favor to 82.28% against marked it as one of the largest margins of defeat for any proposition in history. With both Proposition 27 and the similar Proposition 26 failing, sports betting remained illegal in California.
Background
Following the US Supreme Court's decision to strike down a federal sports betting ban, each state has the ability to regulate sports betting. Sports betting is illegal in California under existing state law. For the 2022 election, Proposition 27 was one of two ballot propositions to legalize sports betting, the other being Proposition 26.Under Proposition 27, sports betting companies who partner with a Native American tribe could offer online sports betting to those 21 or older. To operate in the state, a betting company must either be operating in five other states plus run twelve casinos, or pay a licensing fee of $100 million.
California's gambling system has long operated solely on land-based tribal casinos which are present in sovereign territories. As a result of their locations, they are immune to prohibition laws in California. Tribal casinos generate 8 billion dollars in annual revenue according to the American Gaming Association. Alternative options such as "Card Rooms" do operate throughout the state and often refer to themselves as "casinos". However these cardrooms do not have slot machines, while tribal casinos do have slot machines, they are also absent of craps, roulette and other house-banked table games.
Contents
The proposition appeared on the ballot as follows:Support and opposition
Support
Supporters of the proposition argued legalizing online and mobile sports betting would provide more funding for homeless programs.There is also an environmental impact both negative and positive associated with Prop. 27.