The dismissal by Superior Court Judge Lauri Damrell centered on a jurisdictional conflict, ruling that federal gambling law supersedes Senate Bill 549, a recent state law that had explicitly granted tribes the standing to pursue this case.

SB 549, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last year, was intended to resolve a long-standing dispute over whether tribes hold exclusive rights to Las Vegas-style games in California. The tribes’ lawsuit, filed immediately after the law took effect, alleged that card rooms were illegally offering games such as blackjack and pai gow poker, thereby cutting into tribal revenues essential to their communities.

The card room industry, which provides significant tax revenue to several California cities, applauded the dismissal. Tribal leaders, however, strongly disagreed, vowing to appeal. James Siva, chairperson of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, expressed frustration that the court had once again “sidestepped the actual merits of the case,” preventing tribes from having their day in court despite the legislature’s clear intent.

Online CA Casinos And Card Rooms

The State of California does not permit its tribal casinos or licensed card rooms to offer online gambling services. However, offshore online CA casinos operating outside the U.S. jurisdiction may legally accept players residing in California.

These international platforms typically feature a wide array of table games, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. Many also offer live dealer tables, with buy-ins ranging from $1 to $50,000, depending on the site.

California Gambling Laws

Under California law, commercial gambling is strictly regulated, with only in-person card rooms authorized to operate within the state’s jurisdiction. These card rooms are permitted to host non-banked games, meaning the house does not have a stake in the outcome, and players compete against one another.

Casino-style gambling, including slot machines and house-banked table games, is restricted to tribal lands and governed by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988. This federal legislation was enacted to support tribal sovereignty, promote economic development, and encourage self-sufficiency among Native American communities. As a result, tribal governments in California may operate casinos on federally recognized tribal land, subject to state-tribal compacts and oversight by the National Indian Gaming Commission.

For years, CA Indian casinos have been grappling with the belief that the state is unlawfully offering card games, siphoning off hundreds of millions in revenue from tribal communities across California. With the enactment of SB 549, casinos now have the power to seek justice through legal means, allowing a judge to determine if the state is indeed violating the state’s gambling laws.

Tribes claim that voters in California gave them exclusive rights to host blackjack and Pia Gow poker games, and since they are sovereign governments, they lack legal standing to sue. There are currently 80 card rooms in the state of California.

Several cities have already spoken out against SB 549, stating that the loss of revenue from card rooms could affect funding for local police, fire, and other city resources. San Jose City Councilmember Sergio Jimenez told the media that card rooms generate $30 million a year in revenue for the city.

Other card rooms across the state have expressed that the industry’s total earnings only comprise 10% of annual earnings tribal governments make from gambling each year.

How Many Tribal Casinos Are In California?

According to the American Gaming Association, 87 tribal casinos currently operate in the state. The casinos generate approximately $34 billion in economic impact for the state’s tribal communities.

While casinos are currently restricted to tribal lands, several tribes advocate for legislation permitting off-site casinos. Given that tribal lands are not always in prime locations for attracting tourists, introducing off-site casinos could potentially lead to a significant boost in casino revenue.

Are Online Casinos Legal In California?

While the state of California does not permit its tribal casinos to operate online, offshore casinos have been catering to the state for the past two decades. These online California casinos offer a wide range of games, often with more variations and larger rewards programs than their domestic counterparts, making them a popular choice among gaming enthusiasts.

Popular gaming options include blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, slots, video poker, specialty games and more. Some online casinos offer live table games via video/audio feed. You can also find more casino banking options online, including popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and more.