California Judge Blocks Attorney General's Bid to Ban Blackjack at Cardrooms

California's long-running battle over blackjack has taken another turn after a state judge ruled that private cardrooms can continue offering the popular table game, dealing a significant setback to tribal casinos seeking to protect their exclusive gaming rights.

A San Francisco Superior Court judge found that Attorney General Rob Bonta's Bureau of Gambling Control exceeded its legal authority when it attempted to impose statewide restrictions that would have effectively banned blackjack and several other card games at licensed cardrooms.

The decision preserves one of California's most contested gambling markets while reigniting the debate over where the state draws the line between tribal casinos and commercial cardrooms.

Court Says Regulators Went Beyond Their Authority

The ruling stems from regulations introduced by the Bureau of Gambling Control that sought to tighten the rules governing blackjack and other table games at California cardrooms.

Judge Richard Darwin ruled that the bureau lacked the authority to implement those changes without legislative approval, preventing the regulations from taking effect statewide. The decision follows a temporary injunction issued earlier this year that had already halted enforcement while the case moved through the courts.

Attorney General Bonta's office said it was disappointed with the outcome and is currently reviewing its legal options.

Tribal Casinos Suffer Another Legal Setback

The ruling is another blow for California's tribal gaming industry, which has spent years challenging cardrooms through the courts, state regulators, and the Legislature.

At the center of the dispute is whether cardrooms are effectively offering house-banked games, something California law reserves exclusively for federally recognized tribal casinos. Tribal organizations argue that blackjack and similar games offered by cardrooms violate those exclusivity agreements, while cardroom operators maintain their games comply with state regulations through approved third-party proposition player models.

The latest court decision doesn't resolve that broader disagreement, but it does prevent regulators from using administrative rules to reshape California's gaming landscape.

Read Also: Arizona Tribal Gaming Contributions Reach $46.2 Million in Q4

Cardrooms Welcome the Decision

California's cardroom industry welcomed the ruling, calling it a victory for both businesses and local communities.

Operators argue that cardrooms generate thousands of jobs while contributing significant tax revenue that many cities rely on to fund public services. They also maintained throughout the case that any major changes to gaming laws should come from lawmakers rather than regulatory agencies.

"The court delivered a clear answer: they cannot," said California Gaming Association President Kyle Kirkland, referring to regulators' attempt to change longstanding gaming rules without legislative action.

The decision means blackjack and other affected table games can continue operating at licensed California cardrooms for now. However, with tribal groups expected to continue defending their exclusivity rights and the Attorney General's office weighing its next steps, the legal battle over one of California's most valuable gambling markets appears far from over.