Known for its diverse population and unmatched geography, California is an appealing gambling spot because of its hugely untapped market. Gambling activities started to grow in popularity almost immediately after the state was founded, and today, it has the third-most casinos of any other US state.
Considering that California’s population has almost reached 40 million people and most of them are rather open-minded when it comes to gambling activities, it makes sense that the state enjoys quite a bit of interest from gaming operators. Yet, under the current gambling regulations and legislation, citizens of the state are given access to a very limited range of such activities.
Read ahead to find out more about the most recent changes in gambling-related legislation and the way they affect Pasadena.
Gambling Activities Available in Pasadena
Gambling activities are exceptionally widespread in the USA, and they are regulated on a federal and state level. The question we need to address now is whether gambling is legal in California? Under the current legal regime, gambling activities are hugely restricted not only in Pasadena but in California as a whole. This is so because The California State Constitution prohibits gambling activities.
However, the ban does not apply to all forms of gambling, and California’s citizens can bet on horse races, visit the tribal casinos, enjoy bingo, play the lottery, and visit player-banked card rooms.
The Gambling Control Act (GCA) is the state’s main legislation, and it sets out the rules according to which gambling activities are offered. After the enactment of the GCA, the California Gambling Control Commission was established. It is also important to note that under the provisions of the Act, tribal casinos are allowed to offer slots and card games with certain limitations. This was made possible back in 2000 when the state’s Constitution was amended through the passage of Proposition 1A.
The rules according to which the state’s Native American tribes are allowed to provide such casino games are discussed and set out in compacts that are signed by the state and the tribe which operates the brick-and-mortar casino. An important thing to note is that no commercial casinos can be found in Pasadena or throughout California in general.
Playing the lottery is also a hugely enjoyed activity in Pasadena. The history of the State Lottery in California dates back to 1984, and it was established in order to raise funds for public schools. California has the potential to evolve into a sports betting hotbed as the state has a long history when it comes to collegiate sports and prides itself over 19 sports franchises.
Online Gambling in California
In spite of the fact that online gambling has started to become a hot topic in California, the state is yet to introduce legislation, which addresses such activities. That being said, throughout the years, there have been multiple attempts to decriminalize online casino games and poker, which can be done only after the regulatory framework of the industry in California is changed.
In fact, the untapped online gambling industry has been a major area of legislative activity for quite a while. Back in 2016, the state came close to legalizing online gambling or at least poker, but these attempts failed.
As it turns out, California is of also in two minds whether sports betting should be legalized. It is important to note that betting on sports cannot be authorized before this matter makes it to the ballot. Californians expected to get the opportunity to go to the ballot back in 2020, but the contention from tribes was the hurdle that brought the idea of legalizing retail and online betting on sports to a standstill.
It turns out that tribal gaming leaders altered their position and collected the signatures that are needed in order for the matter to make it to the ballot this year. It makes sense that tribes want to control the untapped industry, and they insist on a referendum to be held in order for betting on sports to be legalized on racebooks and exclusively across tribal casinos.
A lawsuit over the sports betting measures began almost at the end of 2021, and the chief argument is that ballot measures cannot address just one subject. The California Sports Wagering Regulation and Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Act is the current ballot measure, which does not only deal with in-person betting on sports but presents new rules according to which roulette and dice games can be offered at tribal casinos. The current ballot measure is supported by most indigenous groups, but considering the situation, it makes sense that they are already working on a new measure.
In spite of all the legal wrangling, voters have the final say whether the proposed measures will be passed and, most importantly, whether betting on sports will be finally authorized or will remain illegal.
