They contend it also would also expand the Private Attorneys General Act, allowing tribal casinos to hire private trial lawyers, effectively replacing the role of the state’s attorney general to sue cardrooms and potentially forcing them out of business over costly litigation.
Opponents say the measure would give tribal casinos a near-monopoly on all gaming in California – adding exclusivity over roulette, craps and sports wagering to their current monopoly on slot machines. It would allow sports wagering at tribal casinos and at four California racetracks - Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, Del Mar in San Diego and Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley. The initiative - backed by Pechanga Resort Casino along with several businesses and public safety, social justice and community groups and tribes - has no official name but is referred to as the Tribal Sports Wagering Act. A coalition of Southern California cities is opposing a sports betting ballot initiative they claim would fuel excessive litigation against cardrooms, potentially shutting them down, effectively killing 32,000 jobs and wiping out $1.6 billion in annual wages.