Over 1,050 residents of California have signed a petition urging Attorney General Rob Bonta to retract proposed regulations which they assert would severely impact the cardroom sector and local economies, as stated by the Coalition to Protect Cardroom Communities.
The new regulations, proposed in May 2025, would impose additional restrictions on roughly 80 licensed cardrooms already governed by some of the strictest gaming oversight in the nation. Local leaders caution that these regulations could devastate regional economies, eliminate thousands of jobs for the middle class, and jeopardize municipal budgets.
Participants, including local officials, employees, and patrons, contend that the regulations are excessive, skewing the state’s gambling framework in favor of Tribal casinos and illegal, unregulated gambling activities. They question the rationale behind such extensive alterations being proposed.
“The state’s own assessment indicates that these new rules would negatively affect cardrooms,” emphasized Frank Patalano, a regular at Stones Gambling Hall in Citrus Heights. “I frequent Stones due to its convenience, familiarity, and enjoyable atmosphere. It’s an integral part of my routine and our community.”
“These regulations wouldn’t just marginalize cardrooms without justification; they’d also adversely affect the workforce and cities reliant on the revenue generated by these establishments to fund local services,” he added. “The existing framework is functioning adequately. We don’t require additional regulations that may eliminate cardrooms entirely.
The petition follows four statewide demonstrations held outside the Attorney General’s offices, where cardroom employees, community leaders, and residents expressed their concerns that the regulations could culminate in a gaming monopoly. Supporters have also highlighted concerns about campaign donations from Tribal casino groups, suggesting a conflict of interest.
Signatories of the petition have joined the newly established Coalition to Protect Cardroom Communities, which consists of cardroom employees, local residents, business stakeholders, and community advocates. The coalition anticipates recruiting thousands more Californians who feel that the proposed regulations unduly restrict access to local entertainment options.