by in
From what appeared to be an unimaginable topic of conversation less than 24 months ago, legalised sports betting in California could soon be reality, thanks to an announcement from the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) on Tuesday.
The SBA’s proposal to fund a tribal-led online sports betting model in California could open the door for legal esports betting in the largest market of the United States, albeit with some conditions.
At the heart of the plan is a commitment to tribal sovereignty, with operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Fanatics offering online sports betting under exclusive partnerships with a single tribal entity.
If approved, this model could finally bring legal betting to California, and with it, the potential inclusion of esports wagering.
Esports betting often falls under the broader “sports betting” umbrella in other regulated states.
If California’s initiative follows suit, esports titles like League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and Call of Duty could soon be wagered on legally.
That said, specifics on esports have yet to be addressed in public conversations, and its inclusion would depend on the initiative’s language and the tribes’ appetite for such markets.
A major sticking point is the proposed cap on operators.
If only four sportsbooks are allowed to operate, access to esports betting would be dictated by what those platforms offer.
Niche or esports-first bookmakers would likely be shut out due to the four operators mentioned above being members of the SBA.
Tribal leaders also raised concerns about the rise of prediction markets — unregulated platforms offering betting-style event contracts — as potential workarounds if a deal collapses.
While DraftKings has pledged not to bring prediction markets to California, others could, which indicates that these conversations still have a long way to go.
Ultimately, the SBA-tribal plan presents a cautious but promising path forward.
If successful, California could become a powerhouse for regulated esports betting — but that future still hinges on legal clarity, tribal consensus, and whether esports is seen as a viable vertical worth backing.
Breaking: Tribes, Commercial Entities Agree In Principle On Legal California Sports Betting Plan
As part of the plan, the four SBA members would compete against each other, pay a "minimum guarantee per tribe" annually and share revenue with all tribes.
— Casino Reports (@casino_reports) April 1, 2025
