Betting Measure Fails to Qualify

Organizers of an initiative to legalize sports betting in California said Tuesday they failed to obtain the required 698,958 petition signatures to qualify for a spot on next June’s ballot.

“Over the weekend, it became apparent we weren’t going to make it,” acknowledged Bill Mashburn, treasurer of Californians to Reform Gambling. Under the law, the group had until 5 p.m. Monday to submit signatures to election officials. Mashburn said the group fell about 200,000 signatures shy of the goal.

The initiative, pushed by Assemblyman Richard E. Floyd (D-Carson), would have allowed cities the option of allowing wagering on sports. Bookmaking licenses would have been given to racetracks, card clubs or anyone with a clean record willing to put up a $100,000 licensing fee.

Mashburn said that one reason the petition drive failed was opposition from horse-racing interests. Horse-racing officials said they view sports betting as competition for the wagering dollar.

Floyd’s initiative drive also drew opposition from professional sports leagues. The National Football League blasted the proposal as undermining fan confidence in the integrity of the game.