Gambling dispute keeps California tribes and cardrooms in court
Judge temporarily blocks blackjack restrictions as legal and political battle continues
A San Francisco Superior Court judge has temporarily blocked regulations from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Bureau of Gambling Control that would have banned blackjack-style games at cardrooms across the state. According to reporting from CalMatters, Judge Richard Darwin issued a preliminary injunction last month after finding Bonta’s office likely exceeded its authority. The ruling remains in effect for 45 days, with the next court hearing scheduled for June 30.
The dispute centers on whether cardrooms are unlawfully offering games that California tribes argue violate their exclusive rights to operate house-banked casino games. According to the CalMatters reporting, 27 casino-owning tribes have donated at least $15.8 million to current state lawmakers, while 26 cardrooms and affiliated companies have contributed at least $2.8 million. The legal fight follows a separate setback for tribes in October, when a Sacramento judge dismissed a lawsuit against cardrooms brought under a 2024 state law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
- 1.Ryan Sabalow. CalMatters, .
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