CALIFORNIA—Sports betting in California remains a work in progress, despite growing public interest and pressure from the rise of offshore platforms. While conversations between tribal leaders and major betting companies are underway, 2026 is looking less and less likely as a target. The focus now is on unity, control, and long-term planning. Here’s why this is the case.
There’s still no green light for 2026 – and that’s on purpose
So, is sports betting finally landing on the 2026 ballot? Probably not. Tribal leaders are staying cautious. After the expensive collapse of both 2022 propositions, they’re not eager to repeat history. Any future push will need real consensus—and that’s not something you rush.
For now, many Californians are treating offshore online casinos as a kind of stand-in for legal sports betting in California. These platforms are easy to access and safe to use. They’re regulated in jurisdictions where sports betting is legal, so they are monitored and undergo necessary checks. The growing popularity of offshore betting sites highlights the demand for regulatory change in California.
Still, tribal leaders aren’t letting that fact pressure them. They want full control, fair revenue-sharing, and a structure that reflects tribal sovereignty, not a quick fix to chase users back from offshore platforms. So, while voters might be hoping for a 2026 option, it’s far more likely they’ll have to wait.
Tribes want it – all of them
Here’s the thing about gaming in California, it doesn’t happen unless the tribes say so. And the tribes aren’t a single, unified block. We’re talking over 109 individual, federally recognized governments with different priorities, resources, and goals.
So, when tribal leaders say the next step has to include everyone—gaming tribes, non-gaming tribes, big names, and rural communities—that’s not a suggestion, it’s the only way forward. That’s why “consensus” was the buzzword before, and now we’re hearing “ownership” even more. It’s not just about agreeing—it’s about building something they all feel they have a stake in.
Operators want a seat at the table – but not the head
DraftKings and FanDuel clearly learned a lesson back in 2022. That ballot fight? Yeah, it cost everyone a fortune and got them nowhere. This time, they’re not trying to muscle in—they’re saying the tribes should lead, and they’ll follow. That’s why they’re proposing ideas like a centralized tribal body that operators could then contract with.
Sounds neat on paper, but there’s reason tribal leaders aren’t jumping in just yet. It might be more collaborative than last time, but it’s still the tribes who get to decide if the plan’s even worth taking to voters.
Conclusion
Californians may be eager for legal sports betting, but the state’s tribes are in no rush. Until there’s a unified plan that respects tribal leadership and economic fairness, any real progress will take time. For now, 2027 seems more realistic than 2026.
