Casino Tribes’ Donations Put Spotlight on Bonta’s Fantasy Sports Crackdown

People are taking a closer look at California Attorney General Rob Bonta after he got over $100,000 in campaign money from Native American tribes that run casinos. This happened just a few months before his office said daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests broke the law in California.

California Tribes Back Bonta as He Labels Fantasy Sports a Form of Illegal Betting

The tribes gave the money between late 2023 and mid-2024. These same tribes have been fighting for a long time against online fantasy websites like DraftKings and FanDuel. They say these sites compete head-to-head with their casinos and offer gambling without rules, pretending to be skill games.

In his official statement issued in 2025, Bonta determined that fantasy sports platforms qualify as a “modern type” of sports betting banned under California law. The decision indicated that DFS operators were conducting illegal gambling activities, matching the interests of tribes who have tried to restrict online rivals.

Bonta’s team claims there was no conflict of interest. His spokesperson stated that while the attorney general turned down contributions from the fantasy sports industry during the evaluation period, he had no reason to refuse money from tribes because they were not part of the investigation, reported Politico. The tribes, the campaign added, “shared their view” on a matter of public interest.

Ethics Questions Rise as Tribes Win Long Battle Against Online Fantasy Platforms

The timing of the contributions has sparked ethical concerns. For years, tribal gaming groups have pushed Sacramento officials to clamp down on fantasy sports. They claim these platforms redirect billions in bets from regulated casino gaming. After Bonta’s ruling, tribal leaders applauded the decision and demanded swift action. They urged the attorney general to close down fantasy sports operations in California.

The fight over daily fantasy sports shows deeper rifts in California’s gambling scene. Tribal casinos, which have exclusive rights to run most types of gaming under state deals, view DFS platforms as a direct rival to their market power. Groups speaking for DraftKings and FanDuel argue that fantasy contests need skill and should not fall under regular gambling laws.

Bonta’s position aligns with earlier crackdowns on unregulated betting formats, like sweepstakes and prediction markets. In recent talks, he stressed that his office has a legal obligation, not a choice, to respond when asked to weigh in on gambling issues.

Now that enforcement actions are likely, California might end up as one of the toughest states for fantasy sports businesses to operate. For tribal casinos, the ruling represents a big win in their ongoing push to keep a tight grip on the state’s profitable gambling industry.