Major League Baseball Expresses Support for Online Sports Betting Proposition in California
Major League Baseball lends support to Prop 27, California's online sports betting initiative
Major League Baseball has endorsed an upcoming ballot measure in California aimed at legalizing online sports betting. The league praised the integrity provisions found in Proposition 27, also known as the "California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act."
According to a statement released by the MLB, the proposition includes measures to protect the integrity of its games and create a safe environment for sports bettors. The league noted that Prop 27 is the only measure on the upcoming ballot to authorize and regulate online sports betting in California.
Prop 27 calls for a 10% tax on online sports betting revenue, with 85% of the proceeds directed towards homelessness and mental health programs. The remaining 15% would be allocated to California tribes not partnered with an operator. A proposed 100 million dollar licensing fee is included for initial five-year licenses, with renewals at $10 million.
The online sports betting market could provide an opportunity for smaller, disadvantaged tribes to bolster their economic standing, as some California tribes, including the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, and the Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe have publicly supported the measure.
However, the proposition has drawn criticism from some politicians and labor unions, who argue that it could siphon profits from the state's tribes to out-of-state companies. Earlier this week, the California Federation of Teachers and the Association of California School Administrators also announced their opposition to Prop 27, citing concerns about the tangible danger the measure poses for the safety of children.
On November 8, California voters will decide whether to approve or reject Prop 27. If approved, online sports betting operators would be able to offer their services to California residents as long as they are partnered with a local tribe. The measure would introduce legal online sports betting to California, which has long been a bastion of illegal offshore betting sites.
In their statement, the MLB emphasized their commitment to protecting the integrity of their games and ensuring a safe experience for sports bettors. Full text of the MLB's statement can be found here.[1]
References:
[1] Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Twitter, August 12, 2022. https://t.co/NErbucZqaJ
The Major League Baseball has endorsed an upcoming ballot measure in California, Prop 27, which aims to legalize online sports betting. Notably, Prop 27 includes measures to protect the integrity of sports, such as baseball, and create a safe environment for sports bettors. If approved, this proposition would introduce legal online sports betting in California, potentially providing an opportunity for smaller tribal groups to bolster their finance through this market.
