Tribes work to unite behind single sports betting policy for California
Tribal leaders in California are forging a model for legalized sports betting that works for all tribes in the state before the next opportunity arises to take it to the ballot.
Speaking on a panel at ICE 2025 in Barcelona yesterday afternoon, Morongo Band of Mission Indians Vice Chairman James Siva, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Vice Chairman Johnny Hernandez and Pechanga Band of Indians Councilwoman Catalina Chacon all emphasized the importance of striking a deal that works for all tribes.
“This is the first time there is some energy and some excitement behind this model where we can get behind it and work together as tribes,” Chacon said. “Because that’s the only way we’re going to push or do anything different in California, is if we all define some type of ownership for all tribes in California.”
However, Siva explained that polling by the tribes has revealed there is still no appetite for any expansion of gaming in California at present. He said the topic was polling worse than at any other time.
“The voters just can’t be tricked. They’re not going to fall for the dog and pony show and the lights and glitter and glamor. They’re going to see what the issues are, and there’s a fear of an expansion of gaming, especially mobile gaming,” he said.
On the subject of collaboration with commercial operators, Siva was clear that the tribes are open to discussions but reiterated the need for potential partners to understand the ethos of tribal gaming.
“Tribes did not get into this and are not driven by revenue. We’re driven by providing services for our members, for our future generations, for securing our land, for preserving our culture, for revitalizing our languages,” he explained. “That is why we got into gaming. It was never about the money, and that is the one clear distinction that the commercial operators have to hear from us over and over and over again, so that they can finally believe it, because that is never going to change.”
Speaking in a tribal gaming session earlier in the day Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernest Stevens said the tribes were open to partnering with commercial gaming businesses but also emphasized the need to do so on the tribes’ terms.
“The bottom line is respect. Do your homework and come in with an honest, hardworking mentality. Let Indian country know that you’re willing to be patient, but you’re also willing to work, and you’re willing to help us build our future,” Stevens said.
Furthering that point, Tribal Councilwoman Denise Harvey from the Grand Ronde Tribe articulated the alliance between tribes across the U.S.
“Building those relationships is extremely important,” she said. “If you’ve had a bad relationship with one tribe or another tribe, we’re all one big family. We’re all going to be talking to each other. So, if some mishap happened with one property or another, you may just want to talk about that, because you’re much better off being honest and forthright with that information than to have us call up our buddy from whatever tribe this was.”
The most recent attempts to legalize sports betting were in November 2022, but voters did not vote either of the competing Propositions 26 and 27 through. The earliest sports betting is likely to be on the ballot again in California is 2026.
