SB 549 would provide standing for Indian casinos to sue cardroom operators they claim are operating “banking card games” in violation of state law and tribal gaming exclusivity. Opponents of the bill say the casinos are simply looking for a way to squash competition from cardrooms.įederally recognized tribes have the freedom to offer slot machines, lottery games and “banked” card games - like traditional blackjack, in which the casino acts as the bank handling wagers.Ĭardrooms, by contrast, can only provide “player-dealer” games, such as poker, pai gow, baccarat and Texas Hold ‘Em. Josh Newman whose Senate Bill 549 - otherwise known as the Tribal Declaratory Relief Act of 2023 - has reignited a decades-long conflict between tribal casinos and cardroom operators. The rally was held outside the office of Democratic state Sen. 6 in Fullerton to protest a bill they fear could fuel wide-ranging job and revenue losses for their industry.

More than 100 LA-area cardroom employees and supporters gathered Wednesday, Dec.

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