Californians across the state celebrated Friday night when the Warriors claimed another NBA title. But millions were cheering not just because they were big Kevin Durant fans, but because they had big money in the sports betting black market.
This morning, California took its first step in a voter-initiated process to create a safe, responsible market for sports betting in our state. I filed a request with the Attorney General that will pave the way for voters to say YES, it’s time to legalize sports betting in California.
The US Supreme Court’s decision last month to overturn the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act opened the door for this initiative. Not surprisingly, other states have already jumped at the chance to earn tax revenue from the estimated $325 to $400 billion already on the black market. ESPN reports that New Jersey is just waiting to dot i’s and cross t’s, while Connecticut, Iowa, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have all either enacted state laws or fast-tracked legislation to allow sports betting.
Here in California, Assemblymember Adam Gray authored legislation back in 2017 that would place an initiative on the November ballot. But fierce opposition from entrenched special interest groups makes it unlikely to pass through both houses of the state legislature before the June 28deadline – and proves voters need to take this matter into our own hands.
California, let’s legalize this massive market.
Let’s bring hundreds of millions of tax dollars back to our communities to benefit schools, roads, and firefighters.
Let’s protect the adults who choose to play with the consumer protections and safety regulations they deserve.
We’re ready to bring California’s sports betting market out of the shadows. Follow @Californians for Sports Betting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join us.