California sports betting seems to be gaining traction with voters, according to a poll showing a majority of residents are open to legalization.
California sports betting drew support from 60% of registered voters, who said they were “open” to legalizing it, in a Politico–Citrin Center–Possibility Lab survey of more than 1,400 people.
About a quarter of respondents said legal wagering is long overdue, while another 35% said it “might make sense” but would need more details. Four in ten remained opposed, largely citing fears of increased problem gambling.
The poll comes as tribal leaders and several of the largest sportsbook operators continue preliminary discussions on a framework that could eventually put sports betting back on the ballot.
CA sports betting faces hurdles
Multiple sources familiar with those conversations told LSR the earliest possible vote would come in 2026, under a proposal that would be tribally led and owned but fully funded by sportsbooks.
The last California sports betting ballot battle in 2022 saw tribes and commercial operators spend a combined $400 million on competing measures. Voters rejected both, including a commercial-backed push for statewide online betting that drew only 16% support after tribes campaigned heavily against it.
Since then, new products have proliferated in legal gray areas of California gaming law. That includes pick’em daily fantasy contests, sweepstakes-based casinos, and more recently, sports prediction markets, each facing scrutiny from tribes, regulators and lawmakers.
Alternate CA sports betting emerges
Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an opinion earlier this year that declared daily fantasy sports illegal under state law, though enforcement has yet to follow. Meanwhile tribes have sued to stop sports prediction markets and largely supported a ban on sweepstakes-style sports betting.
FanDuel recently announced plans to launch its own prediction market, though it will not offer event contracts on sports. Some analysts believe that gives the company fresh leverage in California, with the ability to turn sports on hypothetically at any point with or without tribal support.
California is one of 11 states yet to legalize sports betting since the Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018. With nearly 40 million residents and a sports economy larger than many countries, industry projections suggest the state could generate iver $30 billion in annual handle, with $3 to $4 billion in annual revenue.
