On Friday, during the National Council of Legislators from the Gaming States (NCLGS) in Boston, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins pushed legislation for iGaming and casinos in California state. Robins encouraged the state lawmakers by telling the potential benefits of betting. According to sources, he spoke and touted to state-elected officials, regulators, and industry stakeholders.
Robins stated that every policymaker needs to overcome anything that forbids the legalization of iGaming and casinos in California, including the political and educational obstacles. Additionally, he also stated that it is time for California to “adopt” iGaming.
iGaming legalization process
Robins said that iGaming is “safe” and will be “beneficial” for everyone. He said it must be supported and legalized before it can bring benefits. However, state lawmakers are reportedly unlikely to support full mobile casino gaming due to concerns about privacy protections.
According to Robins, the technology of betting can be adopted by the state of California as a potential income, but the stigma and fear must be erased. Sources say that even though sports betting is legal in more than 30 jurisdictions, online casino gaming and platform is only legal in no more than six states. This is because of the strict regulation of online betting platforms.
“The stigma and fear associated with online gaming seem to rely on inaccurate and outdated ideas of how technology works,” he said.
“Sophisticated regulated online gaming operators employ all of the same technology and safeguards as mobile sports.”
During the NCLGS conference panel session on Friday, Robins specifically mentioned Mashantucket Pequot Tribe chairman Rodney Butler as an example of how online betting platforms can benefit states if legalized. Mashantucket Pequot Tribe on behalf of Foxwoods Resort Casino is a DraftKings partner running online sports betting and casino gaming in Connecticut.
Robins said that the benefit of iGaming is not only for the state revenue but also for “humanity.” If the legalization is approved by voters this fall, 85 percent of the tax would go to homelessness prevention and mental health support initiatives and the 15 percent will be given to California people that don’t do betting activities. He went on to say that iGaming would become the solution to societal problems.
“We are incredibly excited in the prospect of responsibly bringing online sports betting while protecting minors and other vulnerable populations and providing much-needed funding for critical issues like homelessness and mental health,” Robins explained.
iGaming potential in California
As one of the largest online sports betting platforms alongside competitors FanDuel and BetMGM, Robins said that DraftKings is contributing revenue to the country. The sports betting site is also one of the top three online sportsbooks and casinos to have made a profit in more than four years.
For example, Robins claimed that the company has funneled more than $700 million in marketing, free bets, and other promotions to attract every bettor in their respective state this year.
Currently, Robins sees California as having the potential to be one of the most populous states in the United States. According to him, the state is massively profitable and has committed $10 million to promotion if the legalizing procedure is completed. DraftKings iGaming business is now operating in 17 of the 20 U.S. states, tying FanDuel for the most gambling jurisdictions of any operator.
To make the process feasible, Robins stated that he would seek to educate the state about the possibilities of iGaming. He would also advocate that the benefit is for everyone, not just because of the tax income, but also because it would provide the state with more job opportunities.
“We still have work to do to educate, that this is actually a benefit,” he said.
“It will add not just more tax revenue but more jobs and will grow everyone’s business.”