California Tribes Reaffirm 2028 Sports Betting Goal

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Mon Jul 13, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

California Tribes Reaffirm 2028 Sports Betting Goal

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California tribes remain committed to launching a tribally led online sports betting initiative in 2028. This is despite growing interest in expanding the state's regulated wagering market sooner. 

During the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) Summer Meeting in San Diego, representatives from the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) reaffirmed their long-term strategy. 

The panel featured CNIGA Chair James Siva, CNIGA Vice Chair Steve Stallings, and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Vice Chair Johnny Hernandez, who discussed the future of California gambling and the role tribes expect to play.

Siva made the tribes' position clear during the discussion:

"Yes, yes, we're still very much looking at 2028 as the date that tribes are preparing to move forward with a tribally led initiative for an online sports betting market."

His comments reinforce that California tribes remain united behind a tribal-first framework rather than accelerating legalization before reaching broader consensus. 

As a result, operators hoping to enter the market through US online sportsbooks will likely continue waiting while tribes finalize their preferred structure.

California Tribes Continue Pushing for a Tribal-led Online Sports Betting Model

Tribal leaders said equity and sovereignty remain the foundation of their proposed online sports betting framework. Instead of prioritizing speed, they want every tribe to have a meaningful opportunity to participate in the future market.

Siva explained that the initiative focuses on creating lasting benefits for all federally recognized tribes.

"We've really focused on equity amongst tribes… trying to make sure that no tribe gets left behind as we expand gaming,"

Rather than allowing a handful of larger gaming tribes to dominate the market, the proposal seeks to distribute opportunities across California's tribal communities.

Tribal leaders also stressed that preserving sovereignty remains equally important because tribes want to retain authority over how online sports betting operates within the state.

California Tribes Want Every Community Represented in the Future Market

California has 109 federally recognized tribes. However, 73 currently operate limited or no gaming facilities. The proposed initiative seeks to ensure those tribes still receive meaningful participation in future online sports betting revenue.

Panel members explained that the framework would differ from Arizona's model, where only certain tribes partnered with commercial operators.

Instead, California leaders want a structure that expands economic opportunities without creating long-term disparities among tribes.

They also emphasized that tribes should have the final say over online sports betting operations and any commercial partnerships. While outside companies could eventually participate, tribal governments intend to control how those relationships develop.

That approach reflects years of tribal gaming policy in California, where sovereignty remains central to negotiations involving gaming expansion.

California's Failed Sports Betting Campaigns Shaped Today's Strategy

The cautious timeline also reflects lessons learned from California's unsuccessful 2022 sports betting campaigns.

Voters overwhelmingly rejected Proposition 26, which proposed in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and select racetracks. They also rejected Proposition 27, which sought to legalize statewide online sports betting through partnerships involving commercial operators and tribes.

Those competing ballot measures divided stakeholders while creating voter confusion. Tribal leaders now believe a single, tribally led initiative offers a stronger path toward future approval.

Rather than repeating previous mistakes, CNIGA representatives said they intend to spend the coming years building consensus among tribes and educating voters before placing another proposal on the ballot.

This strategy could strengthen public support while presenting a clearer vision for the future of California gambling.

California Tribes View Prediction Markets as a Growing Threat

Beyond discussing sports betting, tribal leaders also identified federally regulated prediction markets as one of the industry's biggest emerging challenges.

They argued that sports event contracts offered through prediction market platforms resemble sports wagering while operating outside California's tribal gaming framework.

According to tribal representatives, those platforms compete with tribal gaming without following the same regulatory structure or revenue-sharing principles.

As a result, California tribes continue urging policymakers to closely examine the expansion of prediction markets. They believe any future sports wagering activity should respect existing tribal gaming rights and preserve the protections established under federal law.

With 2028 remaining the target, tribal leaders appear willing to move deliberately rather than rush legislation. The focus on building a unified framework protecting tribal sovereignty, promoting equity, and ensuring sportsbooks are shaped by tribal leadership.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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