Published on: August 28, 2025, 12:33h.
Updated on: August 28, 2025, 12:33h.
- Californians show significant support for sports betting
- The state of California remains without legalized sports gambling
- Urgent action needed on a referendum for the 2026 ballot
Recent polling indicates an increasing public interest in legal sports betting across California.
A new survey conducted by the Politico Citrin Center-Possibility Lab among over 1,400 registered voters reveals that 60% of likely voters in California are in favor of a state constitutional amendment to authorize sports betting. This marks a 15% increase compared to similar surveys conducted in 2022.
Advocates argue that California’s sports fans deserve a secure and regulated betting framework, which would also yield additional tax revenues. However, 40% of respondents opposing the measure voiced concerns regarding gambling addiction.
Support for sports betting varies by gender, with 64% of men in favor compared to 55% of women. The Politico survey, conducted from July 28 to August 12, carries a margin of error of 2.6%.
California is viewed as a significant target for the sports betting industry. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling in May 2018, allowing states to regulate sports gambling, 39 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized varied forms of sports betting, with mobile betting sanctioned in 34 states and the capital.
Challenges for California
As the most populated state with the largest economy, California has been a focal point for sportsbooks since the pivotal Supreme Court ruling. However, challenges arise as numerous Native American tribes control California’s gaming market. Critics argue that major sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel miscalculated their initial strategy for market entry.
In 2022, DraftKings and FanDuel backed Proposition 27—a statewide measure to legalize online sports betting for individuals aged 21 and older. The projected tax revenue was intended to support homelessness initiatives and benefit Native tribes not involved in online betting.
However, California’s Native community strongly opposed Prop. 27, claiming it favored commercial gaming companies like DraftKings and FanDuel over the tribal nations, which they argued undermined tribal sovereignty. The tribes presented Prop. 26, advocating for sports betting exclusivity at tribal casinos.
These sports betting propositions resulted in California’s most expensive ballot campaigns in history, with spending estimated at $450 million, but both were ultimately rejected.
Earlier in the year, executives from DraftKings and FanDuel recognized their missteps in failing to engage closely with tribal stakeholders regarding the initiatives.
“I won’t deny we’ve made mistakes. Building relationships with tribal communities is critical—it’s the only way to proceed here,” stated DraftKings CEO Jason Robins in April at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Conference during a discussion led by Victor Rocha on the “Power of Partnerships.”
A FanDuel official remarked that Prop. 27 was a “well-meaning yet misinformed and misguided attempt” to introduce sports betting in California.
Urgency for the 2026 Referendum
Both FanDuel and DraftKings are making efforts to strengthen their ties with California’s influential tribal groups but have not yet finalized an agreement to launch a new referendum campaign.
California mandates that statewide initiatives and referendums occur in even-numbered years. A total of 874,641 voter signatures is necessary to qualify a referendum for the 2026 ballot, making timely action crucial.