At the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Tradeshow & Convention, Pechanga Band of Indians General Counsel Steve Bodmer and Play’n GO Head of Government Affairs Shawn Fluharty went head-to-head on the possibility of iGaming and online sports betting being introduced in California.
Bodmer brought attention to the Michigan rollout of iGaming, where Tribes are currently “happy,” rather than in Arizona where “everyone should be appalled.”
“When you look at their revenue numbers, it hasn't been efficient, because Tribes are at the bottom of the barrel in terms of who is making money in Arizona. That’s not a model that will work in California. There are 109 Tribes with multiple different issues, so it takes a lot of coordination and it takes a lot of trust,” Bodmer said.
“I think a model here in California is going to have to be worked around that. It's really important that in all of these other states, there was a legislative fix for (iGaming). We’ve seen what a legislative fix in California looked like, it said sports betting is for everyone and we won’t take care of the Tribes. Even if Tribes said ‘we love this,’ the reality is that online sports betting has never crested at a 9% approval rate in California.”
When asked if that has changed in 2026 by Fluharty, Bodmer said “it's absolutely absurd” how California residents seem to have little interest in expanding online gambling. Fluharty argued that the “toothpaste is out of the tube,” and that public sentiment has changed.
“You’re not getting dinged politically if you want to expand iGaming or sports betting,” Fluharty said.
“I think the needle has moved, the messaging from the industry has been very poor. The needle is not where it was back in 2022.”
Bodmer claimed Fluharty is a “great example” of the type of people who come to California, claiming his views on the state’s interest in expanding gambling resources are “inaccurate.” He “assured” the Play’n GO executive, referencing data pulled by Pechanga which “went in the opposite way” of what Fluharty believes is happening in California.
Bodmer claimed: “The people in California disagree with this. They do not want it.”
Fluharty fought back by saying states are moving in the direction of expansion due to the rise of prediction markets and sweepstakes casinos, but agreed Bodmer “would know more” about California than him.
Bodmer responded: “You don’t have to believe me. Just show up to California and see that we’re not voting on iGaming.”
Fluharty questioned whether Bodmer, as a regulator, would want to capture the revenue already driven by unregulated iGaming operators in California. Bodmer said he would if he were a state regulator, but Tribes are “fighting for the longevity” of Indian gaming, not “how to milk” funds out of what is popular currently.
The Play’n GO executive than called iGaming and online sports betting cannibalization a “myth,” stating “a rising tide lifts all ships.”
“There’s a real discrepancy and a real catch-up we have to do to educate lawmakers,” Fluharty said.
He then continued to say the growth of sweepstakes – which regulators have “pretty much killed” – prediction markets and the gray market will push lawmakers to expand online gambling capabilities to ensure revenue is being driven on legal platforms.
During the IGA conference, figures such as Conference Chair Victor Rocha and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Chief Intergovernmental Affairs Officer Dan Little spoke on how California ‘shut the door’ on sweepstakes
