FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2024

Proposed Initiative Enters Circulation

Allows For Legalization of Online and In-Person Sports Wagering.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment.



SACRAMENTO, CA – Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber announced that the proponent of a new initiative was cleared to begin collecting petition signatures on January 2, 2024.

The Attorney General prepares the legal title and summary that is required to appear on initiative petitions. When the official language is complete, the Attorney General forwards it to the proponent and to the Secretary of State, and the initiative may be circulated for signatures. The Secretary of State then provides a calendar of deadlines to the proponent and to county elections officials. The Attorney General’s official title and summary for the measure is as follows:

ALLOWS FOR LEGALIZATION OF ONLINE AND IN-PERSON SPORTS WAGERING. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Amends California Constitution to authorize the Legislature or the voters by initiative to legalize online and in-person sports wagering, which currently is prohibited, if offered by federally recognized Indian tribes. Authorizes the Legislature to approve gaming compacts with tribes choosing to offer sports wagering. Such compacts must:

  • · prohibit wagering by persons under 21;
  • · limit wagering to professional, collegiate, and amateur sporting events, and prohibit wagering on amateur sports involving children or events involving animals other than horses; and
  • · require revenue sharing with non-gaming tribes and the state.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No immediate fiscal effects on the state and local governments as the Legislature would be allowed—but not required—to authorize sports wagering. If the Legislature authorizes sports wagering, uncertain increase in state and local government costs and revenues depending on various factors including the specific regulatory and other requirements adopted. Federal courts have generally limited tribal payments to state and local governments to the amount necessary to cover their regulation and other costs related to gaming activities. (23-0031.)

The Secretary of State’s tracking number for this measure is 1973 and the Attorney General's tracking number is 23-0031.

The proponent of the measure, Ryan Tyler Walz, must collect signatures of 874,641 registered voters (eight percent of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2022 general election) in order for the measure to become eligible for the ballot. The proponent has 180 days to circulate petitions for the measure, meaning the signatures must be submitted to county elections officials no later than July 1, 2024. The proponent may be contacted c/o Reeve Collins at (424) 946-8010 and reeve@eagle1corp.com.

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Contact: SOS Press Office
SOSPress@sos.ca.gov