US sportsbooks double down on California lobbying fund with new $100m influx
Operators reportedly set to splash the cash to ensure November’s ballot gets over the line in the Golden State
BetMGM co-owner Entain and FanDuel parent company Flutter Entertainment are reportedly set to plow an extra $100m into a lobbying campaign aimed at legalizing sports betting in California.
According to UK newspaper The Telegraph, the duo will use the extra funds to augment the California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Act campaign, which recently garnered enough verified petition signatures to be included on a November 2022 ballot.
The pair form part of a seven-strong group which includes US operators DraftKings, Penn National Gaming, Bally’s, Fanatics and Wynn Resorts.
The campaign would see sports betting widened to include out-of-state operators, with all proceeds generated going to homeless and social care charities in the state.
The group has already invested a combined $100m into the campaign since its commencement in September 2021.
To further bolster the campaign, it is understood the group has hired California-based political strategist Dana Williamson, who recently served as chief political adviser to US Secretary of Health Xavier Beccera.
The campaign is set to go head-to-head with a rival campaign backed by a coalition of Californian tribal operators, with The Telegraph suggesting that the tribes would also provide a further $100m financial injection in order to not lose ground in the battle for Californian votes.
The mudslinging between the two rival camps started in earnest last week, when the Californians for Tribal Sovereignty and Safe Gaming (CTSSG) group’s Protect Tribal Gaming campaign released a video questioning comments made by DraftKings CEO Jason Robins at a recent industry conference.
However, two Indian tribes broke ranks last week throwing their weight behind the sportsbook-backed campaign and questioning claims made by the tribal coalition.
In comments reported by UK Newspaper, Jose ‘Moke’ Simon, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California chairman, suggested Californians would not believe these “false attacks”.
“The Solutions Act protects tribal sovereignty and will allow every tribe — not just those with big casinos close to big cities — a chance to directly benefit from online sports betting in California,” Simon said.
“The measure puts tribes firmly in control of online sports betting in California,” he added.
Philip Gomez, chair of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, also threw his tribe’s support behind the measure, citing the financial benefits.
“This measure would provide us with economic opportunities to fortify our tribe’s future for generations to come,” Gomez said.