The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, one of the state’s largest and most powerful tribes, is the driving force behind California’s latest game proposal. The tribal logo appears on a letter from the California attorney general’s office regarding the statewide mobile sports betting initiative.
California Politics: A sports betting showdown in 2022 https://t.co/BNUInidwot
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) November 5, 2021
Previously, the Tribe of San Manuel was not openly involved. However, this changed when three letters from other tribes, the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, Federated Indians from Graton Rancheria, and Federated Indians from Wilton Rancheria, requested comment and support from others on the voting initiative.
This initiative relates to efforts to give Indians Country control over the expansion of the game. it will also legalize retail betting only at Indian casinos and four racetracks when it is eligible for a vote in November 2022.
Relevant parties must collect signatures from 997,139 people by June 2022 at the latest in order to participate in the voting process. Given that the proposal is due in two weeks, the three tribes believe they have a limited amount of time.
In addition, the inclusion of San Manuel in the initiative is an advantage itself as the tribe has a large gaming complex in the San Bernardino Country with 4,200 workers. It is the 10th largest company in the region.
Homeless programs benefit from this initiative
This initiative, like the proposals of the seven commercial betting operators, incorporates the term “homeless” into the framework. Under the operator’s initiative, the “California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act,” 85 percent of tax revenues expected to reach hundreds of millions of dollars per year will be directed toward providing decent housing for the homeless.
Meanwhile, the tribal proposal, entitled “The Age-Verified Tribal Online and In-Person Sports Wagering & Homelessness Solutions Act” stipulates that 10 percent of gross gaming revenue is channeled to the California Homelessness and Mental Health Fund. In addition, another 10 percent will also be allocated to the Tribal Sports Betting Profit Sharing Fund.
California as a potential market for betting business operators
California is a potential market for many betting business entities, owing to the state’s population of nearly 40 million people. As a result, this state becomes a strategic target for business development.
The seven entities behind the betting operator’s commercial proposal are Bally’s BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Penn National/Barstool Sportsbook, and WynnBET. All of them have had further discussions with several tribes regarding their support and belief in the initiative. This relates to any bets placed in the later states that must be operated through servers in the tribal area.
Details included in new legislation
– The promotional discount will be limited to 15 percent per year.
– For mobile sports betting, immediate registration is required.
– Allowed one mobile skin per casino.
– The digital platform will be branded with the name of the casino or its fully-owned subsidiary.
Implementation of the hub-and-spoke model in the Indian Country: tribes that do not offer bets can work with others who offer bets.
– Tribes can launch their bets on September 1, 2023, or later.
– The minimum legal age is 21 years and offering to minors is not permitted.