The American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 36 has added its voice in opposition to Proposition 26, an upcoming sports betting measure to legalise sports betting at land-based, tribal locations in the Golden State.
The bill is up for consideration on California’s November 2022 ballot, and AFSCME District Council 36 – which represents 60 local unions and 20,000 union workers – claims the bill will give tribal casinos “a near monopoly” over gaming in the state and “threaten to destroy local jobs.”
Unlike the bill to legalise online sports betting – Proposition 27 – Prop 26 passed legislative goalposts to get onto the state’s upcoming ballot.
But AFSCME District Council 36 claims thousands of quality jobs in minority communities will be affected, as Prop 26 would give tribes exclusivity over roulette, craps and sports wagering, adding to their current monopoly over slot machines.