Authorizing sports betting in California early next month via public referendum is a massive long shot, and now Gov. Gavin Newsom is opposing betting.

Newsom said in a statement this week that he opposes one of the sports betting proposals, Prop 27, which would lead to online betting from the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel. There is also a competing proposition for retail sports betting at tribal casinos, which is also expected to fall short.

“Proposition 27 is bad for California,” Newsom said in a statement. “It would hurt California’s Indian Tribes, increase the risks of underage gambling, and push billions of dollars out of California and into the pockets of out-of-state corporations."

Newsom encouraged votes to strike it down.

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, an opponent of Prop 27, commented on Newsom’s remarks.

“California Tribes are grateful for Governor Newsom’s opposition to Prop. 27. We thank him for standing with us to protect our sovereignty. Tribal gaming in California is beneficial for Tribes and for all of California. Prop. 27 would allow out of state corporations to interrupt that mutually beneficial relationship. Thank you, Governor Newsom for defending the best interests of Tribes and all Californians.”

Polls have shown that Californians don’t want DraftKings or FanDuel involved in California. Polling from the Public Policy Institute of California determined that the online sports betting operators aren’t welcome. The “Californians and Their Government” Survey results earlier this fall showed a majority of Californians (54%) opposed Proposition 27 while only about a third of Californians (34%) supported the measure.

There was also bipartisan opposition to the issue in the state legislature.

The California Democratic Party opposed Prop 27 this summer. The California Republican Party also officially opposed Prop 27, securing bipartisan opposition to the out-of-state corporate gaming measure.

California is in the minority of U.S. states without sports betting of any kind.

The state is home to more than 80 casinos, which collectively generate more than $9 billion annually in gaming win, according to industry estimates. There are no commercial casinos in California, though there are cardamoms. California has the most robust tribal casino industry in the nation.

https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/27393-gavin-newsom-opposes-online-sports-betting-in-ca