The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) announced its unwavering opposition to two proposed sports wagering initiatives, marking a united front against what they deem as deceptive measures. 

CNIGA Chairman Raises Alarms Over Deceptive Sports Wagering Initiatives

CNIGA Chairman, James Siva, expressed concerns about the initiatives, highlighting their disingenuous nature. Chairman Siva stated during a press conference in Sacramento that the proponent of the measures was attempting to divide and conquer tribes by pushing an initiative that sought to legitimize illicit offshore operators and put their governments at risk.

The 52-member coalition, representing federally recognized tribal governments and associate members, is dedicated to preserving and protecting Indian gaming on federally recognized Indian lands. Their firm stand against the sports wagering initiatives stems from a commitment to safeguarding tribal sovereignty and integrity.

In a letter addressed to Eagle1 Acquisition Corp. executives Kasey Thompson, Reeve Collins, and petition signer Ryan Tyler Walz, CNIGA, along with 28 individual tribes, urged the proponents to withdraw their initiatives immediately. The letter emphasized the strong opposition from more than half of California tribal nations, condemning the proposals as offensive and deceptive.

California Tribal Heavyweights Rally Against Latest Sports Betting Push

The sports betting initiatives, filed on October 27, face significant resistance from tribes, including some of the state’s largest casino operators such as the San Manuel, Pechanga, Graton Rancheria, Agua Caliente, Barona, and Rincon tribes. 

These tribal heavyweights, collectively spending over $220 million in 2022 to defeat a previous sports betting proposal, remain steadfast in their opposition to what they perceive as an attempt to hijack tribal goodwill for personal gain.

The CNIGA also voiced concerns about a plan to transfer offshore assets to tribes, characterizing it as a cynical and deceptive attempt to cleanse illegal offshore online gambling corporations with a track record of illicit activities. They pledged to launch an aggressive campaign against the initiatives, akin to their successful efforts in 2022, resulting in an 82% vote against a similar proposal.

Despite the proponents’ amendments to the initiative, removing language deemed problematic by some tribes, the CNIGA remains resolute in its opposition.

The tribal coalition firmly believes that 2024 is not the right time for sports betting in California, viewing it as a 2026 issue at the earliest. They underscored the importance of tribal sovereignty and the support it enjoys among California voters, reinforcing their commitment to defeating the proposed sports betting measures.

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Missouri is one of a handful of US states that are yet to legalize sports betting. Legislators in the state have previously shown support for the legalization of the activity, but efforts haven’t gained much traction. While previously, the House showed support for the legalization of wagering on sports, efforts halted in the Senate over arguments about the growing illegal retail sector across the state.

While efforts of lawmakers have previously stalled, professional sports teams in the state joined forces in support of the legalization of sports betting. A coalition, supported by professional sports teams in Missouri leads the efforts in legalizing sports wagering. This coalition includes St. Louis City, a soccer club, St. Louis Blues, a hockey team, as well as St. Louis Cardinals, a baseball team, who are leading the charge for the legalization.

Currently, the coalition has proposed eight ballot questions that will seek a response from voters in the state. Ultimately, the proposal calls for the legalization of retail and mobile sports wagering and the implementation of a 10% betting tax. If the activity is legalized, some $29 million is expected to be raised for education. The proposed legalization calls for the development of a $5 million problem gambling fund.

Despite the coalition’s plan, a report released by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggests that not everyone agrees with the legalization of sports wagering. Citing research, the report outlined data from a Remington Research Group survey that uncovered some 54% of 711 likely voters would oppose the legalization of sports betting. With only 26% voting in favor, 20% admitted they were not sure whether to support it or not.

Betting Legalization Is Still Far from Becoming a Reality

Supporters of the legalization of sports betting in Missouri would now need to select one out of the eight questions to be placed on the ballot. Yet, to include the question, supporters need to collect signatures of at least 170,000 residents across the state.

“I would be thrilled if we could get legislative action because then we wouldn’t have to do it. I’m hopeful, but I’m also being realistic.“

Bill DeWitt III, president of The Cardinals

The Cardinals’ president, Bill DeWitt III, said that the coalition’s next step is to discuss the proposed legalization with members of the gambling sector. After that, he said, they would consult on how to collect the necessary signatures. While DeWitt said that he hopes to see lawmakers act on the legalization of sports betting, he explained that he looks at the matter realistically.

The efforts toward legalization of sports betting come at a time when most US states have already legalized some form of the activity. According to data from the American Gaming Association, 37 US states and Washington DC offer sports betting, while less than a dozen states are yet to legalize the activity.

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an international organization consisting of 10 states in Southeast Asia, received the support of China for a new initiative that seeks to address transnational organized crime groups involved in illegal gambling and scams. The initiative, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), seeks to sever the activity of such criminal groups that have been growing their presence recently.

In particular, the initiative will fight against criminal activities in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Vietnam and Myanmar, among other countries in the region. Ultimately, the plan seeks to prevent criminal groups from growing their presence, identify them and at the same time protect the victims that may be involved.

The strategic plan encourages effective collaboration between law enforcement and criminal justice officials for investigations related to, but not limited to illegal gambling, scams, human trafficking and migrant smuggling. A recent report released by UNODC revealed that forced labor and trafficking are only a few of the aspects of transnational organized crime groups operating across Southeast Asia.

The report reveals that transnational crime groups are often involved in large-scale money laundering, cybercrimes, as well as cross-border illegal gambling, among other related criminal activities. Additionally, such groups have also been involved in extortion and in some cases torture. UNODC’s report uncovered that transnational organized crime groups sometimes even present themselves as legitimate businesses and may have established relationships with influential officials and companies.

Robust Approach Is Required to Fight Transnational Crime Groups

While the total profits of organized crime groups in the Philippines are difficult to estimate, the scam industry alone may be generating between $7.5 billion and $12.5 billion, according to the report. This figure represents nearly half of the gross domestic product of the country. Additionally, the whitepaper revealed that ill-gained funds move through different businesses in the region, including casinos.

“Profits of organized crime groups in the region have reached unprecedented levels, and illicit money is increasingly moving through the regional casino industry and other large cash flow businesses, including through a surge in the use of cryptocurrencies,“

reads the recent report by the UNODC

Jeremy Douglas, UNODC’s regional representative, spoke about the increasing threat of trafficking of people who are forced to participate in scams and illegal gambling operations run by criminal organizations. He called for cooperation that can help reduce the crime rate in the region, particularly around the Mekong. Douglas explained that criminal organizations “are converging in the region where they see vulnerabilities.”

Rebecca Miller, UNODC’s regional advisor on human trafficking and migrant smuggling, added that the dismantling of transnational criminal groups requires a robust approach. According to her, the new plan seeks to implement a comprehensive and strategic approach to fight transnational crime.

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