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Is there a chance that positive California sports betting news could be on the way in the coming week? Seemingly out of nowhere, it looks like optimism has returned for people who have been patiently waiting for the laws to be changed in the state. While it appeared that no initiatives would be put on the table for next year, things have changed. In recent weeks, California sports betting rumors are swirling for a 2024 push.
For a while, it was expected that California wouldn’t make a move for ’24 and just wait until 2025 to go all-in on things. However, a ton of speculation has indeed arrived, with betting analysts getting the feeling that members of the Indian tribes are working behind the scenes to try and get something done and put in front of legislation soon. If this happens, then there will surely be a long road to get things approved.
Just last year, two different sports betting bills were put on the November ballot. The expectation was that at least one of those bills would get approved by the voters. However, both failed and then California went back to square one for its betting efforts. This was a major let-down for so many different people, as sports fans have been begging for legal sports betting for several years. However, nothing good has come from the different attempts.
It’s totally up in the air if a new sports betting bill will be presented ahead of the deadline, but it seems like this last-minute effort from members of the tribes feels like it’s going to be coming a bit too late. If things are rushed here, then it could lead to bad news for this latest try to get things across the board. We should find out soon if a new bill is presented, or if the state will just wait until 2025 to make history.
Illegal sports betting remains a constant issue in California
With the way things have gone recently for California, it should be no surprise that illegal sports betting remains a constant issue in California. Right now, both NFL betting and MLB betting are through the roof in California in an illegal fashion. This makes sense for multiple reasons. For football wagers, people in the state obviously love the NFL and they’re paying close attention to the 49ers, Chargers and Rams.
With San Francisco, countless fans tuned in to watch their Monday Night Football game against the Minnesota Vikings earlier this week. With the game being played in primetime, you already know that a ton of illegal bets were placed either through offshore accounts or illegal bookies. San Francisco suffered a stunning loss, but they’re still 5-2 on the season and hoping to push for a Super Bowl title.
Good luck this season, @warriors!#BayAreaUnite x #DubNation pic.twitter.com/6Fpx7lt4t0
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 24, 2023
Christian McCaffrey is one of the best running backs in the league and he’s a threat to score a touchdown whenever the ball is in his hands. Because of his amazing play, people are sure to bet on his TD props each weekend. With the Chargers and Rams, both teams also have incredible talent and they’re hoping to get to the postseason as well. The star power for the two teams is fantastic.
In the college football game, USC has suffered a bit of a rough stretch, with the team losing last weekend. Caleb Williams is still the favorite to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but no one can question the fact that his level of play has dropped over the past month. People are getting futures bets on Williams to go No. 1, but again, any money placed on him is illegal in California.
What are the chances of legal betting arriving in 2024?
What are the chances of legal betting arriving in 2024? This is a question that people all over California are now asking themselves thanks to these rumors that have popped up. While there’s plenty of speculation as to whether or not things can move forward, from our chair, we really don’t think things will be given the green light. It just feels like this latest potential bill is being thrown together late in the fourth quarter in sports terms.
In order for California to get the ball rolling for legal sports betting, time needs to be taken to put together a bill that makes everyone happy. During last year’s attempt, the tribes and the major sportsbooks went head-to-head in the battle to run legal betting in California, but the division was a turnoff for the voters. This caused both bills to fail in a convincing fashion. That can’t be the case again in the future.
The tribes need to get on the same page with government officials and make sure that whatever bill goes forward next, it must be well written and one that meets everyone’s needs. The best possible thing for California could be to wait until 2025 to push forward with the efforts. If things are forced for a 2024 attempt, then more bad news could be on the way for the state from a betting standpoint.
1. Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams are a combined 3-7 against top 25 teams at Oklahoma and USC.
2. At USC, Riley and Williams are 2-5 against top 25 teams—0-2 against top 25 opponents this season.
3. At Oklahoma, Riley was 15-6 against top 25 teams.pic.twitter.com/X3iBzhy9qF
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) October 24, 2023
