Tribal Suit Against Cardrooms Struck down...for Now - Capitol Weekly

Judge shuts down California tribes’ latest bid to crush their casino rivals

In summary California card rooms emerged victorious in the latest battle over whether tribes should have exclusive rights to offer Las Vegas-style gambling. Over the years, casino-owning tribes have spent millions in court, in the Legislature and at the ballot box trying unsuccessfully to force their only competitors out of California’s casino business.  A judge today blocked their latest effort. Last year, tribes persuaded the California Legisl…

Tribal suit against cardrooms struck down...for now - Capitol Weekly

More than a year ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation to give California’s gaming tribes special standing in court to settle, once and for all, a long-simmering dispute they’ve had with their rival gaming rivals, the state’s cardrooms. Friday, however, the judge in the case ruled that despite the Legislature’s best efforts the tribes’ suit is preempted by federal law and cannot move forward.

Greedy Tribes’ Power Play Shot Down: Judge Tosses SB 549

By Brian Hews Publisher | Follow X October 10, 2025 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Mail A Sacramento County Superior Court judge has dismissed the Agua Caliente–led lawsuit against California cardrooms, dealing a major setback to efforts to curb banked-style games through state court. The court found that SB 549, the so-called Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act, is preempted by federal law that governs Indian gaming and therefore cannot b…