While California’s appetite for the lucrative sports betting industry remains substantial, the path forward is unclear. A pair of proposed measures for the November 2024 ballot seeks to allow on-site and online sports betting in the Golden State through recognized Indian tribes. However, these propositions are raising questions due to the notable absence of support from California’s gaming tribes.

The Proposals Faced Significant Backlash from Tribes

October saw two new sports betting proposals emerge in California, aiming to reintroduce the contentious issue to voters. However, further investigation revealed Reeve Collins and Ryan Tyler Walz, the proponents of the two new bills, were unknown in the sports betting regulatory world. Some evidence linked them to Nevada casino giant Boyd Gaming and gambling site Pala Interactive, but both organizations denied involvement.

Neither Collins nor Walz have made a public appearance so far. Despite the proposals heavily favoring tribal operators, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association confirmed they had not been consulted regarding this matter. The group expressed disappointment that the sponsors didn’t seek consultation or input from California’s largest tribal gaming organization.

While the sponsors of these initiatives may believe they know what is best for tribes, we encourage them to engage with Indian Country and ask, rather than dictate. 

Indian Gaming Association statement

The two new sports betting initiatives will be hard-pressed to qualify for the November 2024 election. Usually, petitioners have 180 days to win public approval, but the late submissions mean Collins and Walz must collect the 874,641 valid signatures required to get on the ballot in just four months. Meanwhile, California voters are not inclined to support unknown entities.

Regulated Wagering Will Offer Unparalleled Opportunities

While the two proponents’ identities remain mysterious, their motivations are relatively straightforward. The popularity of sports betting is on the rise nationwide, and California is keen to capitalize on this trend. By legalizing sports betting, the state can tap into a new source of revenue while providing its sports-loving residents with the thrill of betting on their favorite games. 

With the potential for vast revenues, investing in an expensive initiative effort remains an alluring prospect. Despite little hope for success, the gaming industry contributed over $360 million to competing propositions in 2022. The two mysterious propositions could be part of a similar effort as interested parties are keen to advance their interests and gain an advantage over the competition.

While it seems crazy to try again to unlock the market after such a resounding defeat, the upside is just so significant that maybe people can’t help themselves.

Geoff Zochodne, Covers.com sports betting analyst

While the path to legalizing sports betting in California remains unclear, the demand and potential remain substantial. Even if the two current initiatives fail, experts agree that sports betting will come to the Golden State sooner rather than later. The story continues to unfold, leaving industry insiders and gaming enthusiasts eager to witness the future of sports wagering in

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Velvix, a company that seeks to revolutionize the gaming industry by creating cutting-edge slot machines, has made a foray into California. As announced by the company, two new slot machine titles will be available to customers of Chicken Ranch Casino in Jamestown.

Chicken Ranch Casino is a property that describes itself as “a tiny bit weird, a whole lot of fun.” Thanks to its new agreement with Velvix, the casino will adopt the developer’s West Wanted and Battle Mania games. These are notably the first Velvix titles to be featured at the venue.

Velvix’s West Wanted title will suit Chicken Ranch Casino, considering the latter’s proximity to gold rush towns. The game puts players in the Wild West and engages them with atmospheric music and engaging cowboy-themed gameplay. The machine features exciting mechanics such as the Endless Jackpot Wheel Feature which will keep players at the edge of their seats.

Battle Mania, on the other hand, is a game inspired by old school arcade fighting games. It puts players in the shoes of a character called “The Bull,” doing battle with various bosses to collect credits.

Velvix’s content has been quickly gaining traction in multiple jurisdictions, such as Oklahoma and California. The company’s latest deal with the Californian casino comes a year before the opening of a large-scale resort that will be operated by the casino’s ownership tribe. The location is strategically situated between Modesto and Yosemite National Park, making it a perfect destination for tourists.

Velvix Thanked Chicken Ranch for Its Support

Chicken Ranch Casino’s director of gaming, Christoph Phipps, commented on the agreement with Velvix, saying that the deal has been a no-brainer. He said that the casino’s team was immediately drawn to Velvix’s game teams, which are well-suited for the property.

They [the games] speak to our audience and our location very well. We are excited to build a relationship with a new manufacturer, especially as we look to launch our new resort in 2024.

Christoph Phipps, director of gaming, Chicken Ranch Casino

Meanwhile, Chris Wieners, Velvix’s managing director, thanked the Chicken Ranch Casino team for being very supportive of his company.

The entire team at the Chicken Ranch Casino has been supportive of us as a new manufacturer. Their interest in trying new themes and working with us as they look to build their slot floor footprint is incredibly exciting – I look forward to a long-term relationship with their Tribe.

Chris Wieners, MD, Velvix

Earlier this year, Velvix set its sights on Asia, seeking to expand its presence in Vietnam and the Philippines.

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