Back in early 2018, the United States Supreme Court ruled that states could legalize sports betting, prompting 10 states to quickly pass legislation legalizing sports gambling within their borders. California was not one of them.
Then in June 2019, California State Senator Bill Dodd introduced SCA-6, a bill that would legalize wagering and sports betting in the state. Many envisioned this would lead to legal sports in the state, perhaps even live casino tables and a sportsbook at Dodger stadium.
That notion seemed to take on greater weight when the planned renovations to Dodger Stadium were released to the public. Renderings of two sports bars that overlook the bullpens beneath the pavilions in both right and left fields, depicts a ribbon odds feed featuring Major League Baseball and other pro sports leagues. Leading many to speculate that the team might be looking ahead to a day when gambling is legal in the state.
When asked about it back in 2019 team President Stan Kasten was quick to point out that gambling was not legal in California. When asked about the pictures he added,
“It’s a rendering for the possibilities and the capabilities. Right now, it is for sure, for the foreseeable future, going to be sports bar areas. And there is an awful lot of business for sports bars. Trust me, we can’t have enough sports bars.”
Current Bill is Dead
According to Sen. Dodd, despite support from all the major sports franchises in the state, the current bill is dead. Dodd had hoped to get SCA-6 released from the Senate Appropriations Committee in July of this year in order to qualify for the November ballot. However, the legislative focus on the pandemic and heavy opposition from Indian tribes within the state forced Dodd to pull the bill altogether.
“Given the deadlines for getting a measure on the November ballot and the impact of Covid-19 on the public’s ability to weigh in, we were not able to get the bill across the finish line this year. It remains important that we lift this widespread practice out of the shadows to make it safer and to generate money for the people of California. I will continue to be engaged in the issue as we work toward 2022.” – Sen. Bill Dodd
This means the California legislature won’t be able to get an amendment on the ballot until 2022 at the earliest. Plenty of time for the Dodgers to get their stadium in order.
