Atwater council member supports in-person sports betting at California tribal casinos

When I saw a Google alert that I was opposing the tribal-backed, in-person, sports wagering measure set to be on the November ballot, it was news to me.

No one had asked for my position, and certainly no one asked if they could use my name.

I doubt it was the result of the No campaign’s dishonesty; I am sure it was a mistake. But if the world is wondering if you’re lying or just incompetent, you’re not in a good spot.

For the record, I absolutely support the upcoming ballot measure that would allow in-person sports betting at tribal casinos. I’m not a gambler myself, but tribal casinos have proven to be good neighbors and huge economic drivers across the Central Valley.

Tribes are sovereign nations. They should be allowed to expand into sports betting on their land because it’s their land.

Plus, the additional revenue will help tribes prosper, and the increased gaming activity will help businesses surrounding casinos and provide local jobs — this of course helps cities.

In-person sports betting at tribal casinos maintains a certain measure of control over who gets to place bets, unlike another measure, sponsored by out-of-state gambling corporations, which opens the door to underage sports gambling.

Online gambling would turn every computer, tablet and smartphone into a gambling machine. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, online gambling is five times more addictive than in-person.

Anyone with kids should be alarmed by the possibilities.

I am also unconvinced by the online-gambling ballot measure’s claim that the public funds generated would solve homelessness.

Come on, seriously? More money has not proven to provide better results.

Every year California approves a record budget in spending and the results are minimal, at best.

We’re spending more on education, yet too many of our kids can’t read or engage in math and science at an adequate level. We’re spending on housing, but the housing crisis is worse than ever.

And don’t get me started on the bullet train. I am convinced there is no amount of money that could get that train running from San Francisco to Los Angeles, as voters were promised.

The state Lottery was supposed to fund education, and certainly some money has gone to schools. But more than anything, another massive bureaucracy was created, which has been rife with waste and mismanagement.

As for homelessness, we’ve spent $30 billion over the past five years, and yet homelessness is as bad as ever.

Why would this online gambling measure be any different?

Plus, it’s simply bad public policy to fund homelessness and mental health programs on the back of addictive online gambling, which will lead to further addiction and financial distress. And none of the funds are guaranteed to go to approximately 97 percent of California’s cities, including Atwater, and this would likely be yet another example of smaller cities being overlooked by the big cities.

I am skeptical of the online gambling measure. It would have negative consequences for kids and families and will not be a quick fix to homelessness.

However, I believe the tribal, in-person measure is one to support. I respect tribal sovereignty and have seen firsthand the contributions tribes make not only to their tribal members, but to neighboring communities.

The in-person sports-wagering measure is responsible, it will help both the tribes and local communities and, of course, its proponents haven’t used my name without my permission.

This November, let’s support California tribes by voting “yes” on in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and vote “no” on the out-of-state, online sports gambling measure.

This story was originally published June 11, 2022 at 5:00 AM.