Governor Signs Californian Bill Allowing Tribes to Sue Card Rooms
Expertise: Online casino, iGaming
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There are more than eighty card rooms located in venues throughout cities in California that offer games such as blackjack and pai gow poker.
The native tribes in the state have long been arguing that the voters in the state have given them exclusive rights to gambling activities in California, and it points out that the card rooms are therefore acting illegally by offering casino games.
Both Sides Spend Millions Lobbying Californian Legislators
This issue has been rumbling on for a considerable period. It has led to both sides spending vast sums lobbying the Governor and legislators in California in the hopes of persuading the authorities to their side of the argument.
Last year, card rooms in the state spent millions on lobbying activities, including more than $9 million spent by the Hawaiian Gardens Casino in Los Angeles County. It is estimated that the combined tribes in the state have contributed over $7.1 million to a range of committees Governor Newson advocates for since 2017.
Earlier this month the Senate voted overwhelmingly to introduce the Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act, and Governor Newsom’s signature adds this bill to the statute books.
Card Rooms Provide Substantial Revenue for Cities in California
It is estimated that many of the card rooms and gaming venues identified by the tribe-owning casinos in California are thriving businesses that provide up to 50% of the tax revenues in several cities located throughout the state.
This could have a dramatic impact on the communities in these cities because the gambling tax revenues provide funding for many municipal services such as libraries, the fire service, and policing. Additionally, there are many jobs in the local community in cities throughout the state that rely directly on the card rooms and associated employment provided by the gambling taxes these businesses provide.
I’m proud of the progress California has made to reckon with the dark chapters of our past, and we’re committed to continuing this important work to promote equity, inclusion, and accountability for native peoples.
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