California sports betting supporters are learning a fast and simple truth: Gaming expansion in the state is never easy. Since the Supreme Court decision that overturned PASPA, there are now eight states with legalized sports betting. Plus, other states are already penciling it in as a top priority in 2019. But not California.

California sports betting appears to be following in the footsteps of online poker: It is a divisive issue that pits California’s varied gaming interests against one another.

Assemblyman Adam Gray introduced a sports betting bill in May. Gray is a key player in the state’s online poker efforts. Unfortunately, the measure failed to find the necessary support to land it on the November 2018 ballot.

California’s new sports betting game plan targets the 2020 ballot. Political consultant Russell Lowery is the driving force behind the measure.

First introduced in June, the measure received the go-ahead from the state to begin the signature collection process. According to the LA Times, the proposal needs to garner 585,407 signatures from registered voters by February 2019 to find its way on the November 2020 ballot.

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