Sportsbetting at California Today

Last week a California Assemblyman introduced a bill that would legalize sportsbetting in America's largest state California, through a constitutional amendment.

The amendment was introduced by Adam Gray, who serves as chair of California's Assembly Governmental Organisation Committee. He is looking to legalize sportsbetting within state borders, which would go into effect should the Supreme Court grant New Jersey's attempts to legalize the activity. Now that New Jersey has a realistic shot of having it's sportsbetting bill passed into law by the highest court in the land, many other states are jumping in to try to legalize the activty as well.

Currently sportsbetting is illegal in all but four states thanks to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which has been in place for 25 years. The challenge by New Jersey looks to be the best bet at overturning the law, despite multiple defeats at lower levels of federal court.

Speaking about his bill Gray said,

"Whether we like it or not, Californians are already betting on sports and play at real money casino through illegal and often unscrupulous websites in foreign countries. It is time to bring this multibillion dollar industry out of the shadows."

"We need to crack down on illegal and unregulated gamblig of casino and replace it with a safe and responsible option, which includes safeguards against compulsive and underage gambling, money laundering, and fraud. All other gaming companies activities in California are subject to regulations that ensure the safety of consumers; sports wagering should be treated no differently."