Senate Bill 549, which Governor Gavin Newsom just signed into law, rekindled long-standing conflicts between card rooms and California’s tribal casinos. The new law allows Tribal casinos to file a lawsuit against card rooms for providing certain games, like pai gow poker and blackjack.
According to the new law, card halls are violating Tribes’ unique rights granted by voters to host table games. Due to their position as sovereign nations, tribal casinos previously lacked the legal authority to bring such lawsuits. By enabling them to ask judges to rule on the legality of certain card room games, this statute alters that dynamic.
The Associated Press reported that the bill ended an expensive and contentious political battle during the latest legislative session. Despite its passage, tensions remain high, with card rooms opposing the bill and launching targeted campaigns against lawmakers who supported it.
Card Rooms Push Back
In the lead-up to the law’s passage, California’s card rooms spent approximately $3 million in an effort to unseat key legislators who backed the bill. Though they experienced three defeats, the investment was characterized as “money well spent” by opponents.
Keith Sharp, an attorney for Hawaiian Gardens Casino, emphasized the need for card rooms to gain respect. He stated, “We really don’t want to be the sort of, you know, the Rodney Dangerfield of industries. We want to be respected.”
Sharp also underscored the industry’s commitment to protecting its employees, businesses, and the cities where they operate.
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