Upcoming Match-ups

California Sports Betting Initiatives By the Money

Robert Linnehan

by Robert Linnehan in Sports Betting News

Updated Aug 25, 2022 · 9:05 AM PDT

Aug 15, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria (center) is greeted by his teammates after hitting a two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Show me the money, California sports betting!

We’re less than three months out from California’s November general election and more than $470 million has already been contributed in support or opposition to the state’s two sports betting initiatives.

Voters will take to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 8, to decide the fate of the state’s two sports betting ballot initiatives. Voters are currently being bombarded by advertising campaigns from both sides, which has led this ballot initiative campaign to be the most expensive in California history.

But how does the money break down? We’ll take a look at the monetary numbers so far for Prop 26, a tribal-back initiative to legalize retail sports betting in the state, and Prop 27, an online sports betting initiative to legalize online sports betting for qualified operators partnered with California tribes.

$106 Million in Support of Sports Betting Prop 26

Money has been flowing in for the ballot campaigns since last year. In total, $322.86 million has been contributed in support or opposition of Prop 27 compared with $148.16 million in support or opposition of Prop 26, according to the California Secretary of State’s contributions portal.

Here’s how the contributions break down for Prop 26:

Prop 26 (Tribal Sports Wagering Act)

  • Total monetary contributions in opposition and in support: $148,168,594.16
  • Total monetary contributions in support: $106,711,093.16
  • Total monetary contributions in opposition: $41,457,501
  • Largest single contribution in support: $20,000,000 from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
  • Largest single contribution in opposition: $5,000,000 from the California Commerce Club, Inc.
  • Smallest single contribution in support: $125 from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
  • Smallest single contribution in opposition: $1 from the California Commerce Club, Inc.

The Federation Indians of Graton Rancheria have donated the most money in support of Prop 26, totaling $30,150,000.

The California Commerce Club, Inc., has donated the most money in opposition of Prop 26, totaling $10,085,001. The California Commerce Club donated exactly $1 more in opposition than the Hawaiian Gardens Casino total of $10,085,000.

$150 million in Support of Sports Betting Prop 27

Here’s how the contributions break down for Prop 27:

Prop 27 (California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act)

  • Total monetary contributions in opposition and in support: $322,874,816.18
  • Total monetary contributions in support: $150,000,000
  • Total monetary contributions in opposition: $172,874,816.18
  • Largest single contribution in support: $16,666,667 each from DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel
  • Largest single contribution in opposition: $25,000,000 (twice) from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
  • Smallest single contribution in support: $8,333,000 each from BetMGM and FanDuel
  • Smallest single contribution in opposition: $4.55 from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Penn Interactive (Barstool Sportsbook) all donated $25 million each in support of Prop 27.

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians have donated $53,217,904.90 in opposition of Prop 27.

Author Image