FanDuel has made campaign commitments to the hundred tribes that call the Golden State home.
Speaking at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention in Anaheim, California, FanDuel Chief Executive Officer Amy Howe assured the assembled representatives and media.
She said: “If there is to be legalized betting in California, it will be with and through the over 100 tribes that exist in the state of California. “It is critical for us to do this together and not against each other.”
FanDuel is learning from past mistakes
The major gambling operator was part of a legislative push to change the fate of gambling in the state of California in 2022. This article in Proposition 27 would allow a nominated tribe or “a qualified gaming entity with a market access agreement with a gaming tribe to operate online sports betting for persons 21 years of age or older within the state but outside Indian lands,” the ballot proposal states.
Prop 27 fell on its head and also ran afoul of the assembled tribes, who felt offended by the lack of conversation and lack of respect for the role they play in legalizing gambling in the state.
James Siva, chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, and Jacob Mejia, director of public affairs for the Pechanga Development Corp., were part of the panel where Howe would speak. Both have been vocal advocates of consultation with tribal entities in any legislative push.
Howe didn’t win many friends when the Prop 27 push failed, saying, “We absolutely live to fight another day.” The statement angered Meija at the time, and he aptly responded, “If you fight with the tribes, you lose.” .”
Since these turbulent times, the healing process has begun between Howe and Meija to develop a future relationship. Howe addressed the media by accepting Prop 27’s failure, saying, “It’s a real privilege and an honor to be one of the first CEOs to be here, after what was, we can joke about it, it was a spectacular failure.”
The assembled Congress knows that legalization of gambling in the state will be a tremendous financial boon, and Siva would say firmly, “An expansion of gambling will take place.” It is a matter of when, not if. But if that happens, the tribes will remain in control. We will work with companies, we will use products. But tribes are the operators in California, period. That’s it.”
It remains to be seen whether FanDuel has actually learned the lessons from the ill-fated Prop 27, but Meija said in his closing comments, “It was refreshing to hear that they took stock of the election result and reflected on what happened.” . It sounds like they’ve learned some lessons. But as has been said, the proof is in the pudding.”
Image: Ideogram.
The post Major betting operator ensures tribal parties are respected appeared first on Due.