California poll shows 50% support for tribal casino sportsbooks

Poll reveals split on sports betting formats

A new Citrin-POLITICO poll indicates that half of registered voters in the most populous state are on board with allowing sportsbooks at tribal casinos. However, the same percentage are not on board with online sports betting, according to the poll.

The poll says just 37% of respondents approve of internet sports wagering in the Golden State.

Shift since 2022 ballot measures

California voters’ sentiment around both sportsbooks at tribal casinos and online sports betting has softened materially since 2022 when voters there soundly rejected Propositions 26 and 27. The former proposed allowing sportsbooks at tribal casinos and racetracks while Prop 27 was an online sports betting effort backed by commercial gaming entities.

Tribal approach and timeline

The tribes have previously indicated they would favor a phased approach to legalization, with sports betting initially restricted to brick-and-mortar casinos before potentially expanding online. Previously, some tribal leaders indicated sports betting was a 2026 issue at the earliest, but there is no related ballot measure for voters to consider this year.

Assuming a refreshed effort to bring retail sports betting to life in California includes the state’s three racetracks, it could be available at approximately 65 locations when accounting for the 60-plus tribal casinos.

California tribes have consistently said prediction markets violate state gaming laws and pose threats to tribal sovereignty.