In what has been a somewhat surprising turn of events, a national gambling outlet has expressed a desire to join forces rather than working against California’s native tribes which control gaming in the state. Per a recent article, FanDuel CEO Amy Howe said that the next effort to legalize sports betting in California will be under a unified approach with tribes. Her remarks were made during a panel discussion at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in Anaheim, California earlier this month. Acknowledging past missteps and the importance of tribal partnerships, Howe emphasized that any future endeavors in the state must be “with and through” the 100-plus tribes that exist in California, per the same article.
For this report, SBS will be going over the latest news coming from the Golden State along with even more notes and info regarding California sports betting.
As noted in the same article, Howe was joined by James Siva, Chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), and Jacob Mejia, director of public affairs for Pechanga Development Corporation. The FanDuel boss engaged in a frank discussion about the turbulent history between commercial operators like FanDuel and tribal entities. In the process, receiving credit from tribal stakeholders for the gesture to make amends with California tribes after a failed ballot campaign over sports betting.
As noted in the same report, the backdrop of their conversation was the aftermath of the 2022 ballot initiatives. Proposition 27, which aimed to legalize online sports betting but lacked tribal support, was resoundingly rejected by California voters. This failure, coupled with the tribes’ opposition, underscored the need for a new approach. Howe admitted that previous efforts were “well-intended but misguided and ill-informed,” recognizing the sovereignty of tribes and the importance of exclusivity in their gaming operations. Her acknowledgment of past errors was symbolized by the display of a notebook belonging to Frank Sizemore, a former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians executive now working with FanDuel, adorned with a prominent “NO ON 27” sticker.
Per the same article, FanDuel’s recent hiring of tribal industry experts like Sizemore, Rikki Tanenbaum (also a former San Manuel executive), and Sequoyah Simermeyer (former National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman) demonstrates a commitment to understanding and respecting tribal perspectives, said Howe. Siva reiterated that tribes will continue to be the primary operators in California’s gaming landscape, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to future initiatives. While expansion is anticipated, Siva stressed the importance of tribes leading the way.
“Expansion of gaming is going to happen. It’s a matter of when not if. But when that does happen, tribes are going to remain in control. We will partner with companies, and we will utilize products, but Tribes are the operators in California, period. That’s it,” Siva said in the article.
Looking ahead, Howe emphasized the necessity of broad tribal consensus for any future ballot measures, recognizing that success hinges on tribal cooperation. She highlighted the potential revenue loss to black market operators and emphasized the need for legal, regulated sports betting that benefits all stakeholders.
In the same article, Howe commented by saying “I think if we can work together and figure out a structure that goes through the tribes but also takes full advantage of what we’ve built over not just six years of being an operator of online sports betting in the U.S. but we’re also backed by the largest global gaming company, there’s something really powerful we can do together,” Howe said.
Siva’s closing message to commercial operators was also clear: “I would say be patient. Listen to the tribes. We know where we want to go and we’re making new relationships moving forward, but we don’t forget, we remember. We know what we are doing and this is our industry. Get out of our way and we’ll show you the path.”
The panel’s tone reflected a shift in approach by FanDuel and other commercial operators, signaling a willingness to collaborate with tribes rather than confront them. With sports betting potential legalization in California looming, Howe’s remarks underscored the importance of tribal partnerships for future successes in the state’s gaming markets. The panel’s tone emphasized a paradigm shift in the approach to sports betting legalization, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation. Howe’s remarks echoed a sentiment of partnership and inclusivity, highlighting the potential for collective action to drive positive change in California’s gaming landscape.
Once you are all dialed in regarding the latest gaming news and updates coming from California, make sure to check out the wide variety of information available to you at SBS. Of course, for even more info on the topic at hand, a must-bookmark page is the California sports betting guide which covers all of the latest news and updates from the Golden State. Moreover, for those on the go, the best betting apps rundown is another awesome resource that can help you understand the nuances of mobile betting and where it can make sense for you. Finally, if you are interested in diversifying your payment options, look no further than the payment methods rundown. Here you can learn more about the different payment options available to you for deposits and withdrawals which range from cryptocurrencies to more traditional banking routes.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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