| California Sports Wagering Initiative | |
|---|---|
| Election date November 3, 2020 | |
| Topic Gambling | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type Constitutional amendment | Origin Citizens |
- Sports betting is not yet available in the state of California, and it remains to be seen if the initiative that allows online wagering will be the one that eventually is codified into law. If online/mobile wagering is eventually available in California, it's reasonable to expect that operators will offer the conventional withdrawal methods they typically make available in other states where legalized betting is already.
- California Sports Betting Hearing – January 8th, 2020 On January 8th, California took a great leap towards opening up the discussion about legal sports wagering in the Golden State. The Joint Assembly and Senate Governmental Organization Committees held a meeting in the state capital, where they invited industry experts to discuss what a.
California Sports Betting States, from the West Coast to the East Coast and everywhere in between, have legalized sports betting, though California still can't decide what to do. The problem is that legislators can't pass any laws to allow sports betting in California until after the matter has been voted on in a referendum.
The California Sports Wagering Initiative (#18-0003) was not on the ballot in California as an initiated state statute on November 3, 2020.
The measure would have allowed the California State Legislature to authorize sports betting and other types of banking and percentage games. As of 2019, the state constitution, which prohibited gambling unless the type is specified, did not allow for sports wagering.[1]
- 1Text of measure
- 2Sponsors
Text of measure
Ballot title
The official ballot title was as follows:[2]
| ' | Allow New Types of Gambling in California. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.[3] | ' |
Petition summary
The summary provided for inclusion on signature petition sheets was as follows:[2]
| ' | Allows federally recognized Native American tribes to operate roulette and craps games on tribal lands, subject to compacts negotiated by the Governor and ratified by the Legislature. Allows licensed gambling establishments, such as card rooms, to conduct on-site sports wagering and to operate Nevada-style card games, and may result in authorization of sports wagering on tribal lands because of federal law. Prohibits Governor from approving gaming on newly acquired off-reservation tribal lands and negotiating gaming compacts with non-federally recognized tribes.[3] | ' |
Fiscal impact
The fiscal impact statement was as follows:[2]
Football Betting In California
| ' | Unclear net fiscal impact, as it would depend primarily on how the measure is interpreted and implemented as well as the extent to which businesses and members of the public participate in the new gaming activities.[3] | ' |
Constitutional changes
- See also: Article IV, California Constitution
The measure would have amended Section 19 of Article IV of the California Constitution. The following underlined text would have been added and struck-through text would have been deleted:[1]
Note: Use your mouse to scroll over the below text to see the full text.
(b) The Legislature may provide for the regulation of horse races and horse race meetings and wagering on the results. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) the Legislature by statute may authorize cities and counties to provide for bingo games, but only for charitable purposes. (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), there is authorized the establishment of a California State Lottery. (e) The Legislature has no power to authorize, and shall prohibit casinos of the type currently operating in Nevada and New Jersey. (f)(e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (e), and any other provision of state law, the Governor is authorized to negotiate and conclude compacts, subject to ratification by the Legislature, for the operation of slot machines and for the conduct of lottery games and banking and percentage card games by federally recognized Indian tribes on Indian lands in California in accordance with federal law. Accordingly, slot machines, lottery games, and banking and percentage card games are hereby permitted to be conducted and operated on tribal lands subject to those compacts. (g)(f) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the Legislature may authorize private, nonprofit, eligible organizations, as defined by the Legislature, to conduct raffles as a funding mechanism to provide support for their own or another private, nonprofit, eligible organization's beneficial and charitable works, provided that (1) at least 90 percent of the gross receipts from the raffle go directly to beneficial or charitable purposes in California, and (2) any person who receives compensation in connection with the operation of a raffle is an employee of the private nonprofit organization that is conducting the raffle. The Legislature, two-thirds of the membership of each house concurring, may amend the percentage of gross receipts required by this subdivision to be dedicated to beneficial or charitable purposes by means of a statute that is signed by the Governor. (g) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the Legislature may authorize banking and percentage games including and not limited to sports wagering.[3] |
Sponsors
Arguments
- Russell Lowery, a political consultant who filed the ballot initiative, said, 'I think the biggest reason for this is consumer protection. It's going on now. Because of the revenue the state could generate from legal activity plus the consumer protections that could be afforded the gambling public, it ought to be regulated.'[4]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing the initiative process in California
In California, the number of signatures needed to qualify a measure for the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the office of governor. For an initiated state statute, petitioners must collect signatures equal to five percent of the most recent gubernatorial vote. To get a measure on the 2020 ballot, the number of signatures required will be tied to voter turnout in 2018. In California, initiatives can be circulated for 180 days. Signatures needed to be certified at least 131 days before the 2020 general election, which was around June 25, 2020. As the signature verification process can take several weeks, the California secretary of state issues suggested deadlines for several months before the certification deadline.
The following is the timeline for the initiative:[5]
- Russell Lowery submitted a letter requesting a title and summary on June 11, 2018.
- A title and summary was issued by the California attorney general's office on August 16, 2018.
- Signatures were due for the ballot initiative on February 13, 2019. The secretary of state's office announced that the initiative failed on February 28, 2019.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.01.1California Attorney General, 'Initiative 18-0003,' June 11, 2018
- ↑ 2.02.12.2California Secretary of State, 'Initiatives and Referenda Cleared for Circulation,' accessed August 20, 2018
- ↑ 3.03.13.23.3Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.Cite error: Invalid
tag; name 'quotedisclaimer' defined multiple times with different content - ↑Los Angeles Times, 'Initiative to legalize sports betting in California proposed for 2020 ballot,' June 12, 2018
- ↑California Secretary of State, 'Ballot Measures,' accessed June 12, 2018
|
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While the legal landscape for sports betting in California shows no signs of moving out of the gray zone anytime soon, there are offshore betting options available to residents of the state looking to bet on sports online. Those living in the Golden State and looking for the best California sports betting sites have several high-quality options to choose from.
Betting Site | Bonus | Bet Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | up to €30 Free Bet | Go to Site | |
| 2 | 22Bet | 100% up to €122 | Go to Site |
| 3 | 100% up to €200 | Go to Site | |
| 4 | 10Bet | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
| 5 | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
These options have been servicing CA residents successfully much to the dismay of state legislators for decades. Recent federal laws in support of online sports betting in the state have paved the way for sweeping legislation across the entire US, including way out west.
It's only a matter of time until CA legislators move to get their piece of upwards of $2.5 billion in tax revenue. Until then, these California betting sites will rule the roost.
Best California Sports Betting Sites
- Bovada – #1 California sports betting site with a very strong reputation.
- MyBookie – Known for it's great odds and payout speed.
- BetOnline – Very reputable sportsbook with high customer satisfaction.
- BetNow – Newer brand with excellent feedback.
- xBet – A site with a wide variety of bet options.
- Intertops – CA betting site that accepts all players from the state.
3 Reasons to Bet With These California Sports Betting Sites
While the state government battles out what current legislation does or doesn't imply, plenty of high-quality and trusted offshore California betting sites are waiting to take your business. With multiple options of varying quality to choose from, it's important for you to choose a safe option that meets your betting needs. What makes the sites we've recommended so great? Find out below.
Fast Payouts on Betting Winnings
Just because the California sports betting sites aren't located on its soil does not mean you should have to wait weeks or months to get paid when you win. All of the betting sites we've recommended here quickly pay out winners through traditional methods. Expect to wait only a few hours with cryptocurrency payout options and between a few hours and a few days on more traditional options like e-wallets and bank transfers. Paper checks are also an option, but can take up to a few weeks to receive.
Offering Action on the Sports California Residents Love
Rose slots. We ensure all of the best California sportsbooks we list cover all of the major teams as well as both national and international sports.
Transplants looking to bet on favorite teams from elsewhere in the country or the world will be covered through these options as well.
Safe, Secure, and Time-Tested Operations
Nobody wants to bet on sports online and have to worry about the safety and security of their money. When we choose the best California sports betting sites to include in our listings, we make sure they're safe, secure, and trusted names that have proven their value over time in the industry.
While these recommended sites are unregulated by the state, most of them undergo regular third-party audits and hold gaming licenses from offshore providers and foreign entities. The bottom line, though, is they have great track records servicing customers from Cali the right way.
The Legal State of Sports Betting in California
In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down parts of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, effectively opening the gateway for states to roll out legalized sports betting.
Is Sports Betting in CA Legal?
Yes, it is legal.
However, sports betting at regulated online betting sites in California is not explicitly stated as legal under state law. The laws surrounding unregulated online sportsbooks servicing the state from offshore locations, however, are in a gray area and many California residents continue to utilize them on a daily basis with no issues.
While many states jumped at the opportunity to bring in additional tax revenue, California has been slow to adopt. Some believe that the power of the federal government would easily override state legislation, while others believe in the contrary viewpoint.
In January of 2020, state legislators met to gain insight from industry experts in an attempt to devise a plan to move forward. While many expected action to ensue following the meeting, this has not been the case.
During the meeting, researchers brought attention to the fact that online sports betting (including mobile betting) could be worth nearly $2.5 billion in annual revenue for California alone. Unfortunately, until the state moves toward sweeping legalization, they'll have to miss out on those tax profits currently going to offshore sportsbooks.
The biggest question this leaves for residents is whether online sports betting is legal in California. Unfortunately, the answer is unclear and in a gray area.
State-regulated sports betting sites are not currently operating in the state and appear to be illegal based on the language of legislators. But offshore and unregulated betting sites are servicing California residents with no reported issues. To date, there have been no reported legal cases we are aware of that involve any Cali-based bettors having any issues betting online.
For those looking for a clearer answer, you'll want to contact a California gaming attorney. The best we can tell you from our research is that it's a gray area supported by federal law, but unsupported by state laws.
Daily Fantasy Sports in California
Currently, daily fantasy sports (DFS) fall into the same territory as traditional sports betting in the state of California. That being said, all major providers servicing other states within the US are open for Cali residents to use. While they don't have a stated public stance, they do not deny residents of the state from setting lineups, entering contests, making wagers, or collecting winnings.
CA Betting Sites FAQ's
Are There California Sports Betting Sites I Can Bet With?
If you're looking for state-run sports betting sites operated by brick and mortar casinos within the state, you're not going to find any. If you're comfortable playing at unregulated, offshore establishments, you do have options that have been operating without issues for decades that service residents of the Golden State.
What Sports Can I Bet on at California Online Sportsbooks?
Online Sports Betting In California
The betting sites we've recommended here give users the ability to bet on all major sports, politics, entertainment, horse racing, dog racing, seasonal events, and more. Within each category, the betting sites offer extensive options, including traditional bets, live betting, futures bets, prop bets, and more. Any bet types you're used to seeing at a brick and mortar casino or sportsbook will be available through these options.
What Options Do I Have for Depositing and Withdrawing Money at Top California Sports Betting Sites?
When it comes to banking, you'll have plenty of safe and efficient options to move your money on and off a betting site. Each sportsbook will offer different options, but most commonly, you'll see the ability to use debit/credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, paper checks, and cryptocurrency for both ends of the transaction.
Debit and credit cards may be limited for withdrawals depending on how you initially deposited, and it can depend on the financial integration setup of the betting site. All of this information is posted and readily available and should be reviewed before you make any deposits.
Is Betting Sports Online in California Safe?
Football Betting In California
| ' | Unclear net fiscal impact, as it would depend primarily on how the measure is interpreted and implemented as well as the extent to which businesses and members of the public participate in the new gaming activities.[3] | ' |
Constitutional changes
- See also: Article IV, California Constitution
The measure would have amended Section 19 of Article IV of the California Constitution. The following underlined text would have been added and struck-through text would have been deleted:[1]
Note: Use your mouse to scroll over the below text to see the full text.
(b) The Legislature may provide for the regulation of horse races and horse race meetings and wagering on the results. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) the Legislature by statute may authorize cities and counties to provide for bingo games, but only for charitable purposes. (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), there is authorized the establishment of a California State Lottery. (e) The Legislature has no power to authorize, and shall prohibit casinos of the type currently operating in Nevada and New Jersey. (f)(e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (e), and any other provision of state law, the Governor is authorized to negotiate and conclude compacts, subject to ratification by the Legislature, for the operation of slot machines and for the conduct of lottery games and banking and percentage card games by federally recognized Indian tribes on Indian lands in California in accordance with federal law. Accordingly, slot machines, lottery games, and banking and percentage card games are hereby permitted to be conducted and operated on tribal lands subject to those compacts. (g)(f) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the Legislature may authorize private, nonprofit, eligible organizations, as defined by the Legislature, to conduct raffles as a funding mechanism to provide support for their own or another private, nonprofit, eligible organization's beneficial and charitable works, provided that (1) at least 90 percent of the gross receipts from the raffle go directly to beneficial or charitable purposes in California, and (2) any person who receives compensation in connection with the operation of a raffle is an employee of the private nonprofit organization that is conducting the raffle. The Legislature, two-thirds of the membership of each house concurring, may amend the percentage of gross receipts required by this subdivision to be dedicated to beneficial or charitable purposes by means of a statute that is signed by the Governor. (g) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the Legislature may authorize banking and percentage games including and not limited to sports wagering.[3] |
Sponsors
Arguments
- Russell Lowery, a political consultant who filed the ballot initiative, said, 'I think the biggest reason for this is consumer protection. It's going on now. Because of the revenue the state could generate from legal activity plus the consumer protections that could be afforded the gambling public, it ought to be regulated.'[4]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing the initiative process in California
In California, the number of signatures needed to qualify a measure for the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the office of governor. For an initiated state statute, petitioners must collect signatures equal to five percent of the most recent gubernatorial vote. To get a measure on the 2020 ballot, the number of signatures required will be tied to voter turnout in 2018. In California, initiatives can be circulated for 180 days. Signatures needed to be certified at least 131 days before the 2020 general election, which was around June 25, 2020. As the signature verification process can take several weeks, the California secretary of state issues suggested deadlines for several months before the certification deadline.
The following is the timeline for the initiative:[5]
- Russell Lowery submitted a letter requesting a title and summary on June 11, 2018.
- A title and summary was issued by the California attorney general's office on August 16, 2018.
- Signatures were due for the ballot initiative on February 13, 2019. The secretary of state's office announced that the initiative failed on February 28, 2019.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.01.1California Attorney General, 'Initiative 18-0003,' June 11, 2018
- ↑ 2.02.12.2California Secretary of State, 'Initiatives and Referenda Cleared for Circulation,' accessed August 20, 2018
- ↑ 3.03.13.23.3Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.Cite error: Invalid
tag; name 'quotedisclaimer' defined multiple times with different content - ↑Los Angeles Times, 'Initiative to legalize sports betting in California proposed for 2020 ballot,' June 12, 2018
- ↑California Secretary of State, 'Ballot Measures,' accessed June 12, 2018
|
While the legal landscape for sports betting in California shows no signs of moving out of the gray zone anytime soon, there are offshore betting options available to residents of the state looking to bet on sports online. Those living in the Golden State and looking for the best California sports betting sites have several high-quality options to choose from.
Betting Site | Bonus | Bet Now | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | up to €30 Free Bet | Go to Site | |
| 2 | 22Bet | 100% up to €122 | Go to Site |
| 3 | 100% up to €200 | Go to Site | |
| 4 | 10Bet | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
| 5 | 100% up to €50 | Go to Site |
These options have been servicing CA residents successfully much to the dismay of state legislators for decades. Recent federal laws in support of online sports betting in the state have paved the way for sweeping legislation across the entire US, including way out west.
It's only a matter of time until CA legislators move to get their piece of upwards of $2.5 billion in tax revenue. Until then, these California betting sites will rule the roost.
Best California Sports Betting Sites
- Bovada – #1 California sports betting site with a very strong reputation.
- MyBookie – Known for it's great odds and payout speed.
- BetOnline – Very reputable sportsbook with high customer satisfaction.
- BetNow – Newer brand with excellent feedback.
- xBet – A site with a wide variety of bet options.
- Intertops – CA betting site that accepts all players from the state.
3 Reasons to Bet With These California Sports Betting Sites
While the state government battles out what current legislation does or doesn't imply, plenty of high-quality and trusted offshore California betting sites are waiting to take your business. With multiple options of varying quality to choose from, it's important for you to choose a safe option that meets your betting needs. What makes the sites we've recommended so great? Find out below.
Fast Payouts on Betting Winnings
Just because the California sports betting sites aren't located on its soil does not mean you should have to wait weeks or months to get paid when you win. All of the betting sites we've recommended here quickly pay out winners through traditional methods. Expect to wait only a few hours with cryptocurrency payout options and between a few hours and a few days on more traditional options like e-wallets and bank transfers. Paper checks are also an option, but can take up to a few weeks to receive.
Offering Action on the Sports California Residents Love
Rose slots. We ensure all of the best California sportsbooks we list cover all of the major teams as well as both national and international sports.
Transplants looking to bet on favorite teams from elsewhere in the country or the world will be covered through these options as well.
Safe, Secure, and Time-Tested Operations
Nobody wants to bet on sports online and have to worry about the safety and security of their money. When we choose the best California sports betting sites to include in our listings, we make sure they're safe, secure, and trusted names that have proven their value over time in the industry.
While these recommended sites are unregulated by the state, most of them undergo regular third-party audits and hold gaming licenses from offshore providers and foreign entities. The bottom line, though, is they have great track records servicing customers from Cali the right way.
The Legal State of Sports Betting in California
In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down parts of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, effectively opening the gateway for states to roll out legalized sports betting.
Is Sports Betting in CA Legal?
Yes, it is legal.
However, sports betting at regulated online betting sites in California is not explicitly stated as legal under state law. The laws surrounding unregulated online sportsbooks servicing the state from offshore locations, however, are in a gray area and many California residents continue to utilize them on a daily basis with no issues.
While many states jumped at the opportunity to bring in additional tax revenue, California has been slow to adopt. Some believe that the power of the federal government would easily override state legislation, while others believe in the contrary viewpoint.
In January of 2020, state legislators met to gain insight from industry experts in an attempt to devise a plan to move forward. While many expected action to ensue following the meeting, this has not been the case.
During the meeting, researchers brought attention to the fact that online sports betting (including mobile betting) could be worth nearly $2.5 billion in annual revenue for California alone. Unfortunately, until the state moves toward sweeping legalization, they'll have to miss out on those tax profits currently going to offshore sportsbooks.
The biggest question this leaves for residents is whether online sports betting is legal in California. Unfortunately, the answer is unclear and in a gray area.
State-regulated sports betting sites are not currently operating in the state and appear to be illegal based on the language of legislators. But offshore and unregulated betting sites are servicing California residents with no reported issues. To date, there have been no reported legal cases we are aware of that involve any Cali-based bettors having any issues betting online.
For those looking for a clearer answer, you'll want to contact a California gaming attorney. The best we can tell you from our research is that it's a gray area supported by federal law, but unsupported by state laws.
Daily Fantasy Sports in California
Currently, daily fantasy sports (DFS) fall into the same territory as traditional sports betting in the state of California. That being said, all major providers servicing other states within the US are open for Cali residents to use. While they don't have a stated public stance, they do not deny residents of the state from setting lineups, entering contests, making wagers, or collecting winnings.
CA Betting Sites FAQ's
Are There California Sports Betting Sites I Can Bet With?
If you're looking for state-run sports betting sites operated by brick and mortar casinos within the state, you're not going to find any. If you're comfortable playing at unregulated, offshore establishments, you do have options that have been operating without issues for decades that service residents of the Golden State.
What Sports Can I Bet on at California Online Sportsbooks?
Online Sports Betting In California
The betting sites we've recommended here give users the ability to bet on all major sports, politics, entertainment, horse racing, dog racing, seasonal events, and more. Within each category, the betting sites offer extensive options, including traditional bets, live betting, futures bets, prop bets, and more. Any bet types you're used to seeing at a brick and mortar casino or sportsbook will be available through these options.
What Options Do I Have for Depositing and Withdrawing Money at Top California Sports Betting Sites?
When it comes to banking, you'll have plenty of safe and efficient options to move your money on and off a betting site. Each sportsbook will offer different options, but most commonly, you'll see the ability to use debit/credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, paper checks, and cryptocurrency for both ends of the transaction.
Debit and credit cards may be limited for withdrawals depending on how you initially deposited, and it can depend on the financial integration setup of the betting site. All of this information is posted and readily available and should be reviewed before you make any deposits.
Is Betting Sports Online in California Safe?
If you're wagering with trusted and proven safe California sports betting sites, you should have no issues with the safety of your personal information, money, or wagers. Yes, betting sites regulated by the state government would provide more transparency and overall safety, but that's currently not an option.
If you're looking to bet on sports safely in CA, you'll want to stick to the books with proven track records of exquisite service to customers. Sites that fit that mold are all we'll ever recommend.
