MLB comes out in support of California measure to legalize online sports betting
A month after the California Democratic Party voted in opposition of the state’s online sports betting measure appearing on ballots in November, Major League Baseball is showing support for the bill.
In a statement Friday, via ESPN’s David Purdum, MLB said it’s committed to creating safe experiences for fans who wish to bet on games, and it believes Prop 27 has the safeguards necessary to create that safe online market in California.
“Proposition 27 – the only measure on California’s upcoming ballot that would authorize and regulate online sports betting – includes strong integrity provisions designed to help MLB carry out those commitments,” the statement read.
The league, which is obviously incentivized to have legal sports betting in a state where five of its franchises are located, said California has millions of MLB fans looking for alternatives to illegal offshore betting.
Californians will also be able to vote on an opposing measure to legalize sports betting only at tribal casinos and race horse tracks, and potentially other in-person venues.