California Voters Reject Measures to Legalize Sports Betting

Voters in California rejected two ballot measures that would have legalized sports betting in the state.

Proposition 26, backed by dozens of California’s Native American tribal governments, would have legalized sports betting at tribal casinos, while allowing them also to offer craps and roulette. It was opposed by operators of card rooms, who worried about a provision allowing individuals to bring civil lawsuits against the card clubs over disputes in state gaming law.

Proposition 27 would have legalized online and mobile sports betting. It was put on the ballot by sports betting companies such as DraftKings and FanDuel, which have expanded their business across the state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on sports wagering in 2018. The proposition was opposed by Native American tribes who feared the measure would cut them out of a booming gambling market.

The campaign was the most expensive ballot measure fight in U.S. history, with the various factions supporting and opposing Proposition 26 and Proposition 27 spending roughly $450 million.