Newest Polling Results Not Good For California Sports Betting Initiatives

• Public opinion on both California sports betting initiatives is trending down
• Neither the California online or retail sports betting initiative is polling well
• Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) opposes California online sports betting

The latest poll of state voters does not bode well for either the California online sports betting initiative or its retail sports betting counterpart.

In the latest numbers released by the Public Policy Institute of California, only 26% of surveyed voters would vote yes for Prop 27, the “California Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support Act,” which aims to legalize California online sports betting for operators partnered with California Tribes. According to the survey results, 67% would vote “no” and 8% are unsure.

Both California Sports Betting Initiatives Polling Poorly

The share voting “yes” has decreased since a the PPIC released a mid-September poll in which 34% of respondents said they would vote yes for the online sports betting initiative.

Younger aged voters, those between 18 and 44 years of age, are far more likely to vote in favor of Prop 27. 41% of respondents in that age group said they approve of the initiative, while only 19% of those surveyed over the age of 45 support the measure.

For the first time, the PPIC asked surveyed voters their opinions on Prop 26, the “Tribal Sports Wagering Act,” which would legalize retail sports betting for California Tribal Casinos and four state racetracks. According to the survey, if the election were held today only 34% of respondents would vote in favor of Prop 26, 57% would vote no, and 9% are unsure.

A majority of respondents across all regions and demographic groups, except for likely voters between the ages of 18 and 44, would vote no on Prop 26, according to the survey.

Findings in the PPIC report were based on a survey of 1,715 California adult residents.

Gov. Newsom Opposes Prop 27

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) officially came out in opposition of Prop 27 after months of hinting that he was against the measure.

As first reported by Politico, Newsom announced his opposition to the California online sports betting initiative, citing its potential damage to California tribes and pushing revenues out of the state.

“Proposition 27 is bad for California. It would hurt California’s Indian Tribes, increase the risks of underage gambling, and push billions of dollars out of California and into the pockets of out-of-state corporations. Vote No on 27,” Newsom said in a statement Politico.