In California and the campaign to legalize land-based sportsbetting by means of a November referendum has so far reportedly managed to garner the support of over 600,000 residents.

According to a Monday report from the news domain at LegalSportsReport.com, the effort is seeking permission to place a question on the upcoming election ballot that would ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment so as to allow the western state’s many tribal casinos and racetracks to feature sportsbooks.

Aboriginal attempt:

LegalSportsReport.com reported that the drive to bring sportsbetting to ‘The Golden State’ by means of a referendum is being organized by a consortium of 18 casino-operating tribes and is ultimately aiming to collect some 1.5 million valid signatures although it is only due to require about 997,139 to be successful.

Popular proposal:

The move to legalize sportsbooks in California is being led by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, which is responsible for Riverside County’s 1,090-room Pechanga Resort and Casino, with support from others including the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. A spokesperson for the sports wagering endeavor, Jacob Mejia, reportedly told the source that the undertaking began amassing signatures on January 23 and hopes to have met its ultimate target well in advance of a state-mandated April 21 deadline.

Mejia reportedly told the news domain…

“We’re off to a really strong start. We’ve got until the end of April to gather the signatures we need.”

Mobile marginalization:

Mejia reportedly also detailed that the tribes decided not to add mobile and online sportsbetting legalization to the ballot initiative because a survey they sponsored showed that only 29% of voters would likely support such a move. He explained that this stood in stark contrast to the around 66% the investigation had indicated would back the roll-out of land-based sportsbooks.

The spokesperson reportedly declared…

“We know from a lot of research we’ve done into this issue on public opinion that the voters are not inclined to support an expansive measure that could authorize mobile sportsbetting. We think the best way to approach this policy framework is a measured, comprehensive and responsible proposal, which is what we’ve got in front of voters right now.”

Future extension:

However, Mejia reportedly pronounced that this does not mean that mobile and online sportsbetting are due to be forever prohibited in California as the tribes may well look to push for an expansion once land-based sports wagering is up and running. He purportedly asserted that such a move could one day see the nation’s most populous state follow the likes of New Jersey and Pennsylvania in allowing residents to place bets using their home computer or mobile devices.

Mejia reportedly proclaimed…

“Certainly, tribal leadership statewide is very mindful of what’s going on in other parts of the country in terms of sports wagering and the market potential for mobile sportsbetting. But right now, the focus is on earning the trust and support of the voters for this measure. When you look historically at gaming policy in California, it’s typically been done on an incremental basis.”