California Tribes Get Extension for Sports Betting 2022 Ballot Consideration

California tribal leaders have received a small victory when a state Superior Court ruled to offer a 90-day extension in their attempts to obtain the signatures required to see their regulated sports betting proposal earn a slot on the 2022 ballot.

Where the state requires a total of 1,096,853 signatures in favor of a referendum for it to be considered, tribes have already collected 971,373. Their attempts to surpass the required mark fell short as state-ordered lockdowns took place to combat COVID-19, and tribal leaders had requested an additional 180 days to make up for lost time.

Judge James P. Arguelles offered a tentative ruling for half the requested amount, but leaders feel confident in their ability to garner the remaining signatures to complete their objective.

A spot on the November 2020 ballot would put the fate of the tribes’ proposal for in-person betting at any of the state’s 70 tribal casino properties in the hands of California’s residents.