An expert panel sees Arizona and California as the next states for the expansion of sports betting for tribal casinos in 2021.
Tribal sports betting was a focus on Tuesday, opening day of the virtual TribalNet conference and tradeshow. The discussion comes one week after voters in South Dakota, Louisiana and Maryland approved sports betting in their states, and the panel discussed where other sports betting opportunities for tribes were likely.
“This election, when we saw South Dakota and Louisiana and Maryland move forward, (shows the opportunities) for tribes. We have tribes in both South Dakota and Louisiana and they have an opportunity to seize that market share,” said Valerie Spicer, founding partner of consulting firm Trilogy Group. “Hopefully, tribes are looking at what that means to them and how it’s being structured, and researching the regulatory oversight, so they can move quickly and get to market.”
State legislative approvals are needed in Louisiana and South Dakota before sports betting is enacted.
Sheila Morago, executive director of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, said given last week’s ballot measures approving sports measures and the impact from COVID-19 on the economy and state revenues, she expects that more state legislatures in 2021 “will be willing to listen and engage in original discussions on the scope of games,” including igaming.
“By having the faucets turned off, the revenue sharing from the tribes hit them in their bottom line,” Morago said. “It won’t be a done conversation, but it will be an easier conversation. Just look at New Jersey, which was getting some revenue during the lockdown. I see a lot of states looking at least to start those conversations. Whether they finish them or not is another question.”
California tribes are continuing to gather signatures for a 2021 ballot measure that would allow sports betting at tribal casinos and race tracks. COVID-19 stopped the signature gathering required to appear on last week’s ballot.
The California Legislature is eyeing options that would also include mobile wagering.
Morago said she expects legislative action in 2021 in Louisiana and possibly Arizona as well.
“It’s not going to be Oklahoma,” Morago joked about the chances in her state amid a conflict between tribes and Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Sports betting expansion in Arizona has been on hold pending a renegotiation of the compact between the state and tribes.
Witek Wacinski, vice president of strategy and development for BetMGM, put Arizona at the top of his list, with a “hope for California.” He said there’s still a push from the legislature to add mobile wagering, but doesn’t know what’s next. “I still think there’s some interest to make that happen, but which way it will ultimately go, it’s hard to tell right now. The political situation appears in flux — not just in California, but elsewhere as well.”
Wacinski said they already have a partner signed up in California for sports betting when it goes forward.
Panel moderator Kevin Smith, director of marketing and communications North America with SBC, said 24 states and the District of Columbia have agreed in principle to move forward with sports betting.
Spicer, who lives in Arizona, said she expects it in her state as well and touted California for being in line.
“I think tribes have a tremendous opportunity,” Spicer said. “When you have that amenity offering, you see the lift it gives to the property across the board. That has been the jewel in the crown.”
