Major League Baseball comes out in support of California sportsbook ballot bid
Multi-operator-backed initiative scores major coup as governing body lauds integrity potential of Proposition 27
Proposition 27, a multi-operator-backed initiative aiming to expand sports betting in California to out-of-state operators, netted significant support on Friday when the MLB (Major League Baseball) voiced its support.
The Golden State has become a hotbed of sportsbook lobbying over recent months following the qualification of two competing ballot initiatives aiming to control the spread of sports betting for a November statewide vote.
Proposition 26, the brainchild of a coalition of California’s tribal operators, aims to give them exclusivity on sports betting, while the opposing proposition 27 aims to allow other operators from outside the tribal coalition to open sportsbooks.
The alliance backing the latter initiative includes the crème de la crème of the US sportsbook market, including FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM, with operators contributing in excess of $100m to its success.
Until now, Proposition 27 has not received significant support from stakeholders in California, with the exception of a trio of smaller tribal operators. Proposition 26, in contrast, has netted support from numerous unions, politicians and teachers.
However, the MLB support represents a major coup for the industry, with many MLB teams operating sportsbook partnerships with operators in other states including the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, New York Mets all partnered with operators.
The MLB for its part has also recently signed a deal with BetMGM, with parent company MGM Resorts inking a deal with the MLB players association.
As a rationale behind its support, the MLB said it “remains committed” to protecting integrity and creating a safe experience for fans placing a bet.
“Proposition 27 – the only measure on California’s upcoming ballot that would authorize and regulate online sports betting – includes strong integrity provisions designed to help MLB carry out those commitments,” the MLB said in a statement.
Expanding on this, the MLB highlighted requirements concerning suspicious betting activity, as well as restricting markets susceptible to manipulation and integrity-led cooperation between the state, leagues and operators, as areas where Proposition 27 would be an asset for California.
“MLB believes that Prop 27 has the safeguards to create a safe and responsible online sports betting market in California – a state with millions of MLB fans looking for alternatives to illegal offshore betting sites,” baseball’s governing body added.
The propositions are due to be put to public vote on November 8.