Members of the Republican political party in the western American state of California have reportedly followed their Democratic counterparts in coming out against an upcoming local constitutional referendum that would legalize online sportsbetting.

According to a Tuesday report from a source, members of the California Republican Party held a special August 12 meeting in which they voted to oppose Proposition 27, which is scheduled to be put before local voters this November. Should it pass and the measure would purportedly see ‘The Golden State’ join the likes of Pennsylvania, Illinois and New Jersey in permitting its residents to place sports wagers online.

Prominent proponents:

Proposition 27 is reportedly being supported by American online sportsbetting heavyweights FanDuel Group and DraftKings Incorporated as well as the BetMGM concern of MGM Resorts International and Entain. However, this campaign has moreover garnered opposition from tribal casino operators such as the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians despite the fact that the legislation would look to funnel any resultant tax revenues into funding homeless and mental health programs across the entirety of the giant jurisdiction.

Retail re-think:

Unlike their Democratic colleagues and members of the California Republican Party have furthermore reportedly come out against Proposition 26, which seeks to legalize retail sportsbetting at tribal casinos and state-licensed racetracks. This second measure will purportedly be similarly put before voters in November and is being supported by the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, which is responsible for Riverside County’s 1,090-room Pechanga Resort and Casino, in addition to the casino-operating Barona Band of Mission Indians, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

Impartial intent:

At least 20 American states currently allow online sportsbetting following the 2018 revocation of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Despite last month coming out against Proposition 27, members of the California Democratic Party reportedly opted to remain neutral on the compatriot Proposition 26 for fear of upsetting the state’s many tribal communities.

Bi-partisan belligerence:

Jessica Millan Patterson serves as the Chair for the California Republican Party and she reportedly explained that her organization’s move was publicized only a few days after local legislative leaders from both major political parties came together to voice their opposition to Proposition 27. She purportedly proclaimed that her group ‘stands with California tribes’ in fighting the online measure as its passage would break a promise to grant the state’s many aboriginal bands ‘the sovereign right to operate gaming in order to improve the lives of their communities across the state.’

Patterson reportedly stated…

“Voters are with Republicans on the ideas and with our final ballot initiative positions now in place we are ready to put in the work to ensure that voters are with us again this November. From now until polls close, we will be talking to voters about these important initiatives.”