California is working hard to get sports betting up and running as soon as possible. That should be encouraging for residents and visitors, but it appears the road ahead could be bumpy. While many support sports betting in California, there has been a strong divide on how it should be implemented.
Is sports betting legal in California?
No, sports betting in California is currently illegal. While the state is working toward making it legal, no infrastructure is officially in place. However, California residents will have two initiatives on their ballots in November 2022, both serving as potential avenues to legal sports betting there.
When Will California Sports Betting Start?
It’s impossible to say until sports betting is legal, but sometime in 2023 is the earliest, assuming everything falls into place. Based on the timeline of other states, early 2023 is extremely optimistic. If one of the measures gets enough votes, late 2023 or early 2024 are more realistic targets.
Is DraftKings sports betting legal in California?
DraftKings sports betting is illegal, although their Daily Fantasy Sports is not. California happens to be the biggest market for Daily Fantasy Sports. While DraftKings Sportsbook isn’t open in the state yet, don’t be surprised if they are one of the first sportsbooks taking bets if and when they’re allowed.
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Why is Sports Betting Illegal in California?
Outside of nothing being voted on and passed, there may be friction between the two proposed initiatives if they’re both passed. One of the measures is for online betting and is supported by some of the larger online sportsbooks. The other is for retail betting and is supported by California tribal groups.
There’s a possibility that the tribal groups will oppose the online betting proposition if it passes, with the potential for a lawsuit. If that happens, the timeline for legal sports betting will be pushed back even further.
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Latest California sports betting news
March 17, 2022: Three California tribes lobby against November’s online betting initiative on TV.
April 18, 2022: Elected officials join an already established group of veteran organizations opposing the tribal retail betting proposal.
July 5, 2022: Three California tribes come out in support of the state’s mobile betting proposition.
