A sports betting measure proposed by a coalition of more than two dozen California gaming tribes could be put on the ballot of a special election before 2022.
At this point, the best the coalition will be able to do is get on the next general election, in 2022, having failed to make this year’s ballot, the victim of the Covid-19 pandemic. The effort to gather signatures for the measure was sidelined a few thousand signatures away from qualifying, say supporters.
The measure would allow gaming tribes and racetracks to offer sports betting, but only in brick and mortar establishments. It would also allow gaming tribes to add some table games they are not able to offer now.
Recently the spokesman for the group, Jacob Mejia, who is also vice president of public and external affairs for the Pechanga Development Corp., conceded the proposal will not make the 2020 ballot. “Given the timing and ongoing restrictions, there is no chance of qualifying for this November,” he said.
A state judge did grant the group an extension on the state deadline to gather signatures until October 12. The required number is 997,139 and the group claims it has many more than that. “The way it works is that if we qualify the initiative then it’s teed up for the next statewide election,” Mejia added.
Even with the extension, gathering signatures is still a challenge, says Mejia. He told CDC Gaming Reports, “More than half of California counties—home to 97 percent of the state’s population—are on the state’s watchlist, which is making signature gathering very challenging.”
The next statewide election could be a special election, if the governor or the legislature calls for one. The last time that happened was in 2009.
Getting on a special election ballot would give the tribes an advantage because they would be able to beat any competing sports betting initiatives to the punch.
