TLDR California tribal leaders confirm 2028 as their target year for an online sports betting ballot measure. CNIGA Chairman James Siva reaffirmed the timeline at the NCLGS summer meeting in San Diego. Prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are seen as a growing threat to tribal gaming revenue. Tribes estimate revenue losses of up to five percent tied to prediction market growth. A ballot measure and new compacts would both be needed before online betting could start.
California’s tribal leaders say they are still planning to bring an online sports betting measure to voters in 2028.
The update came from CNIGA Chairman James Siva during the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States summer meeting in San Diego.
Siva said tribes remain focused on that year even as prediction markets keep growing across the state.
“We’re still very much looking at 2028 as a date that tribes are preparing to move forward with a tribally led initiative for an online sports betting market,” Siva said.
How the Process Works
Federally recognized tribes in California hold exclusive rights to offer certain types of gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
This includes sports betting, which falls under Class III gaming rules.
To create a regulated online market, California voters must first approve the plan through a ballot measure.
After that, tribes and the state would need to renegotiate and ratify new compacts before betting could begin.
This is not the first time tribes have set 2028 as a goal. Voters rejected two competing sports betting proposals four years ago.
Other tribal leaders joined Siva at the meeting, including Erica Schenk of the Cahuilla Band of Indians and Johnny Hernandez Jr. of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.
Siva said the plan is built around fairness for all