The long list of issues for California sports betting knows no bounds, and things just took another unfortunate turn thanks to a major sportsbook. Just recently this summer, news launched of more online sports betting options for local fans despite things not being legal in the state. That's right, DraftKings launching in California adds to the sports betting problems in the state, and officials can't be happy about things.

Indeed, DraftKings was able to launch a prediction markets platform on its site, which has opened the doors for people in California to use their mobile app for their sports betting needs. Since prediction markets are made legal at a federal level, it allows for those types of futures sports bets to be made. Previously, only places like Kalshi and PolyMarket were in operation, but now DraftKings getting involved changes the ball game sort to speak.

"The online betting and gaming company joins prediction markets competitors Kalshi and Polymarket, which allow users to fund what are known as "event contracts," Dana Williams of NBC Sports wrote in a new piece. "Those contracts are categorized differently from other types of gambling and are federally regulated through the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, allowing the platforms to avoid state-level sports betting restrictions or bans."

As you might have been able to guess, this is only going to lead to more sports betting to take place in the state, which is exactly what the California government has been so against for years now. Back in 2022, two different sports betting bills were on the November ballot, but neither passed. Since then, California hasn't gotten any closer to legalizing sports betting, which has been a huge bummer.

California tribes understandably are not happy about DraftKings getting involved in California

If you think officials are upset, well keep in mind too that California tribes understandably are not happy about DraftKings getting involved in California. That's because the local tribes have been working overtime in trying to take the lead on sports betting in the state, only to fall short.

The hope is that things can continue to progress in 2027, but things aren't looking overly optimistic there. California continues to delay the push for legalization, but prediction markets getting involved like this complicates things. On one hand, you'd think that maybe it would push decision-makers to be focused on trying to get things over the line, but that really hasn't been the case. For big events, numbers have been sky-high through these markets.

World Cup betting stood out in a big way, especially with Los Angeles and San Francisco hosting some pretty exciting games. If anything, the belief is that soccer betting as a whole is going to be through the roof this year for the EPL and La Liga due to the excitement from the World Cup. However, California as a whole is going to be on the sidelines betting wise until the laws are changed. However, the prediction markets are the ones benefitting right now, which doesn't seem right at all.

Football betting will surely rise from DraftKings being involved in California

Taking a look at things as a whole, it's safe to say that football betting will surely rise from DraftKings being involved in California. In the NFL alone, the Los Angeles Rams are the Super Bowl betting favorites and their odds have only improved now that Aaron Donald has come out of retirement to play this season. That's good news for coach Sean McVay, but terrible news for opposing quarterbacks.

Donald was one of the best pass-rushers when he was on the field, and his return is only made better with L.A. trading for Myles Garrett not that long ago. With those two coming off the edge, it's no wonder that so many people are super high on the Rams winning it all this season.

That won't be easy, as the Seattle Seahawks are hoping to go back-to-back. Still, the Rams have a great chance of winning the title, and now that DraftKings has launched its prediction app, it has opened more doors for people in California to place a futures bet on Los Angeles. There's a legal battle to try and get things reversed, but who knows if California will be successful there or not.