As legalized sports betting continues to expand across the United States, Major League Baseball (MLB) has decided it will support Proposition 27 during the November elections that would allow online sports betting in California. Another option on the ballot, known as Proposition 26, would only allow retail sportsbooks at tribal casinos and state-licensed racetracks.
“Major League Baseball remains committed to protecting the integrity of its games and creating a safe experience for fans who wish to wager on those games,” the league said in a statement on Friday. “Proposition 27 — the only measure on California’s upcoming ballot that would authorize and regulate online sports betting — includes strong integrity provisions designed to help MLB carry out those commitments.
“The measure would, for example, (1) require sports book operators to notify leagues of suspicious wagering activity, (2) allow leagues to propose restrictions on betting markets that are particularly susceptible to manipulation, and (3) facilitate other forms of integrity-related cooperation between the state, leagues, and operators. MLB believes that Prop 27 has the safeguards to create a safe and responsible online sports betting market in California — a state with millions of MLB fans looking for alternatives to illegal offshore betting sites.”
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled states could legalize betting on sports, and now over 30 states and the District of Columbia have authorized online sports betting, generating revenue windfalls to fund state priorities.
Before legalizing sports betting, U.S. bettors were using illegal offshore betting sites.
The plan is to have California’s estimated population of 39 million residents vote for either Prop 26 or Prop 27 during the upcoming election on Nov. 8.
Prop 27 is backed by sports wagering services like Bally Bet, Bartsool Sportsbook, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel and WynnBET. State revenue generated by the initiative can only be used to fund homelessness and mental health solutions like permanent shelter and addiction treatment services.
Prop 27 will also generate millions annually to uplift California tribal nations and their communities via a new, permanent tribal revenue stream.
Tribe Casinos In California
Even though sports betting is currently not allowed, gambling is alive and well in the state.
California currently has 82 casinos operating in the state as of Dec. 31, 2021, according to the American Gaming Association. These casinos provide $19.96 billion in economic impact to the state and 124,274 jobs.
A new casino, Sky River, will become Sacramento County’s first when it opens in September. The casino was developed and built for the Wilton Rancheria Tribe by Boyd Gaming.
