Attorney General Rob Bonta (Photo: AP/Rich Pedroncelli)New regulations approved this month will dramatically change the operations of California’s cardrooms and are expected to take a sizable bite out of not only their revenues but that of several cities. The changes, however, are in line with what the state’s gaming tribes have been pushing for.
Image by wildpixel. OPINION – California has long been a hub for innovation—pioneering everything from personal computers to artificial intelligence. We lead, not follow. But some officials in Sacramento seem more interested in stifling innovation than fostering it.
Image by MariuszSzczygielJust days after several gaming tribes filed suit to block “California Blackjack” and other Las Vegas-style games in cardrooms, the tribes requested a temporary restraining order on Tuesday to prevent the cardrooms from erasing any security videos of allegedly illegal games being played at their facilities.
Image by WD StuartOn the first day they were permitted to do so, several of California’s largest gaming tribes filed a suit on Thursday alleging that the arcane system cardrooms and related businesses employ to offer “California Blackjack” and other Las Vegas-style games is in violation of state law.
The Commerce Casino, image by Steve CukrovThe California Bureau of Gambling Control has unveiled draft language for potential new regulations that could effectively turn the card room industry – and the cities that depend on the revenue they generate – on their heads. Not surprisingly, card rooms are incensed. But so are their biggest rivals – tribal casinos.
Image by WPixzOPINION – The California cardroom industry supports continued discussions regarding regulation of gaming within the state. However, it is essential that the discourse is not influenced by unfounded concerns from a few wealthy tribal casinos intent on creating a monopoly for themselves to the detriment of working California families and the communities served by cardrooms.
Today we present a Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast, recorded live, Thursday May 26 at CALIFORNIA VOTES, A 2022 Election Preview. This episode focuses on two Ballot Initiatives that would make sports betting legal in California.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in South Lake Tahoe. (Photo: EQRoy, via Shutterstock)Voters are facing the possibility of deciding among three fiercely competing ballot initiatives next year – all of them involving tens of millions of dollars and a revolution in California’s gambling industry. One of the three has already qualified for the November 2022 ballot. The remaining two must still gather signatures.
Accessing an online sports betting site. (Photo: wavebreakmedia, via Shutterstock)For the last two years, the legalization of sports wagering in California seemed like a sucker’s bet. A proposed constitutional amendment in the Assembly went nowhere with lawmakers in 2019, and a similar proposal this year was hardly sprinting ahead like Secretariat. But with the sudden onset of the coronavirus playing havoc with both ballot measures and the state budget, it might be game-on for legalized sports gambling in 2020 after all.
Smoke from the Mendocino Complex fire creates a "blood moon." (Photo: Padelphoto, via Shutterstock)OPINION: With the Mendocino Complex fire burning through three counties in Northern California, the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe could only watch and pray as flames consumed massive amounts of our homelands, forcing the closing of our small casino and all governmental buildings as well as the evacuation of Tribal members and our neighbors.