Judge Rejects California Tribes’ Latest Attempt to Kill Blackjack at Cardrooms
The ruling lets more than 100 cardrooms keep blackjack and other table games open while cities continue collecting related tax revenue.
- San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Darwin ruled last week that Attorney General Rob Bonta lacked authority to impose statewide restrictions on blackjack-style games at California cardrooms.
- Tribal casinos, major political donors to Bonta, lobbied the Bureau to adopt regulations protecting their exclusive rights to offer Las Vegas-style table games, which fund housing, education and healthcare programs.
- San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan warned the restrictions threatened the city's $1.7 billion general fund, which relies on about $25 million in annual cardroom tax revenue for police, parks and housing.
- Attorney General Rob Bonta's office expressed disappointment and is reviewing legal options. Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association, stated the court affirmed regulators cannot unilaterally rewrite established law.
- Superior Court Judge Richard Darwin emphasized that only the Legislature possesses authority to make such policy decisions. The ruling remains subject to potential appeal by the Attorney General's office.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Judge Strikes Down Bogus Bonta State Cardroom Regulations, Ruling Bureau Exceeded Authority
SAN FRANCISCO — A San Francisco Superior Court judge has invalidated controversial gambling regulations adopted by California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Bureau of Gambling Control, ruling the agency exceeded its legal authority in attempting to restrict certain card games offered at licensed cardrooms throughout the state. In a decision issued Monday, Judge Richard Darwin concluded the Bureau lacked the authority to impose statewide restrictio…
Palo Alto Online
Judge rejects California tribes’ latest attempt to kill blackjack at cardrooms
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. California’s dozens of private gambling halls can continue offering blackjack and other table games after a San Francisco judge ruled last week that Attorney General Rob Bonta overstepped when he tried to ban them. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Darwin ruled that […]
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