Second 2022 California Sports Betting Ballot Initiative Unveiled

• A consortium of California cities have proposed a 2022 general election ballot initiative to legalize online and in-person sports betting in California
• Each potential sports betting license would cost $5 million with a $1 million bi-annual renewal fee
• This is the second potential California sports betting ballot initiative for the 2022 general election

Just like that, a second California sports betting ballot initiative has been revealed.

And who’s behind this new venture? A consortium of California cities who want state voters to decide the fate of sports betting in the 2022 general election with a new sports betting ballot initiative.

The measure is known as the California Sports Wagering and Consumer Protection Act and language was submitted to the California Attorney General’s Office to place the initiative in the 2022 November general election.

Gardena Mayor Tasha Cerda is the lead proponent for the ballot initiative, with Helen Fisicaro, council member and vice mayor of the Town of Colma, and Raul Peralez, San Jose city council member, also listed as proponents.

California Sports Betting By 2023?

If approved by voters, the initiative would legalize online and in-person California sports betting at tribal casinos, race tracks, state-licensed card rooms and professional sports facilities in the state. There are currently 19 professional sports franchises in the state.

The initiative proposes a 25% tax rate with all revenues from sports betting being placed in a special fund to support California public education, affordable housing, mental health needs and homelessness in the Golden State. Additionally, 1% of gross gaming revenue would be earmarked for problem gaming.

Each potential sports betting license would cost $5 million with a $1 million bi-annual renewal fee for entities, according to the initiative.

To be placed on the 2022 ballot the initiative needs signatures from more than 1 million confirmed California voters.

Second Potential California Sports Betting Initiative

It’s the second sports betting ballot initiative to be introduced this year in California. In May, a coalition of 18 tribes submitted a ballot measure to allow federally recognized Native American tribes to operate roulette, dice games, and sports wagering on tribal lands. The initiative received more than 987,000 verified signatures and will be decided by voter in the 2022 November election.

If approved, the sports betting tax rate would be set at 10%. The initiative would not allow for California online sports betting, however.

With the potential of two sports betting initiatives on the 2022 general election ballot, what would happen if both were approved by voters? the California Sports Wager and Consumer Protection Act included language that deals with this potential outcome.

“In the event that this measure and another measure addressing the rights of individuals to gamble in the State of California shall appear on the same statewide ballot, the provisions of the other measure or measures shall be deemed to be in conflict with this measure. In the event that this measure receives a greater number of affirmative votes than a measure deemed to be in conflict with it, this provisions of this measure shall prevail in their entirety, and the other measure or measures shall be null and void,” the initiative reads.

If either initiatives are approved by voters California sports betting would likely begin sometime in 2023.