Several Tribal nations in California have initiated legal action to stop private casinos from offering “banked” games, which the Tribes claim violate their exclusive rights under state agreements. The lawsuit has been brought forward by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Barona Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Indians, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.
According to court documents, the Tribes argue that private casinos and their third-party operators have engaged in illegal gambling practices. The complaint states, “Under Tribal-state compacts, California Indian Tribes have bargained with the State (and pay) for a gaming system that facilitates their exclusive right to offer such banked games within California. But for years, California card rooms and their partner third-party proposition players have ignored the law and refused to recognize Tribes’ exclusive rights.”
The Tribes allege these casinos have generated significant profits from games like blackjack and pai gow poker, which they assert are prohibited by California law and reserved for Tribal gaming establishments. They claim these activities violate the California Constitution, the state’s Penal Code, and several judicial rulings.
The lawsuit has been filed under the Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act, a new law that enables Tribes to sue over issues involving their rights in California. Senate Bill 549, signed into law by the Governor, allows Tribes to petition judges to determine whether card rooms are illegally operating certain table games.
Historically, California’s Tribes lacked the legal framework to challenge such activities due to their status as sovereign nations. However, the passage of this legislation has changed that. Not long after the bill became law, private card rooms reportedly spent nearly $3 million in efforts to oppose the re-election of four state legislators who played roles in passing the bill. According to an Associated Press report, the card rooms later described their losses as “money well spent.”
The Tribes’ lawsuit seeks to halt what they describe as years of illegal activity by private casinos, ensuring that their exclusive rights to operate banked games remain protected
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