Published on: May 4, 2026, 05:43h.
Updated on: May 4, 2026, 05:43h.
- Judge permits cities to engage in the legal battle regarding blackjack prohibition
- New regulations could drastically reduce cardroom earnings and city revenue
- Industry expresses concerns that regulations may undermine California’s cardroom framework
A judge from the California Superior Court has approved a coalition of cardroom host cities to participate in a legal dispute against Attorney General Rob Bonta’s prohibition on blackjack.
By allowing the California Cities Gaming Authority (CCGA) to submit an amicus brief (friend of the court), the judge enables Gardena, Inglewood, and Colma to express their opposition to Bonta’s new regulations, which could adversely affect municipal budgets and local economies throughout California.
For years, powerful tribal casino operators in California have contested cardrooms regarding “California games”—modified versions of classic table games like blackjack and pai gow poker—claiming that they infringe on tribes’ exclusive rights to conduct house-banked casino games.
Do Not Refer to It as Blackjack
Bonta’s new regulations essentially prohibit cardrooms from operating blackjack and similar player-dealer games in their current format. The restrictions include a ban on using the number 21 or the term “blackjack” for branding any game.
These regulations came into effect on April 1, but enforcement will be gradually implemented over the following months while cardrooms seek authorization to modify their games.
According to the new guidelines, players can no longer “bust.” Instead, hands will be resolved by comparing them to the player-dealer’s hand, and a traditional blackjack—an ace with a 10-value card—will no longer guarantee an automatic win.
The rules also stipulate that the player-dealer must be a seated participant, with the role rotating among at least two other players every 40 minutes, or the game must cease.
Cardrooms argue that these modifications will decrease profits by slowing down gameplay, creating interruptions during dealer rotations, and eliminating blackjack-like features that generally boost game activity and player losses.
Regulations Will ‘Dismantle the Industry’
In March, California’s cardroom sector initiated a lawsuit against Bonta, characterizing the limitations as an “unprecedented power grab” and warning of “catastrophic” economic repercussions for host cities reliant on gambling revenue for essential services. Now, affected cities will be allowed to voice their concerns in court.
“These rules not only modify current regulations but threaten to dismantle an entire industry, causing significant, irreparable harm to our cities,” said Tasha Cerda, Chair of the CCGA and Mayor of Gardena, in a statement to Casino.org.
“For our municipalities, this translates to millions in lost revenue, which could lead to cuts in public safety and community services, endangering working families,” she added.
Gardena is a historical center for California cardrooms, housing the Hustler Casino and Larry Flint’s Lucky Lady. The city depends on these venues for 11% of its general fund.