Three California cardroom associations are suing state Attorney General Rob Bonta over his ban on blackjack, set to take effect April 1, 2026. The groups claim the ban is an “unprecedented power grab” and will hurt local businesses and municipal tax revenues. Club One Casino President Kyle Kirkland says the ban reverses decades of settled law and ignores the economic impact on cardroom jobs and revenue.
The lawsuit alleges that Bonta overstepped his authority and that the ban has no factual basis. It also points out that tribal casinos, which are not affected by the rule change, contributed to Bonta’s campaign fund. The Department of Justice estimates that losing blackjack could lead to at least 50% of cardroom jobs being eliminated, resulting in $396 million in losses.
The cardroom associations claim that the ban will disproportionately affect cities that rely on cardroom revenue for police and public safety funding. In response, some cities are exploring alternative revenue sources, such as a quarter-cent sales tax in Commerce. The lawsuit seeks to overturn the regulations and restore blackjack to California’s cardroom scene.
Source: https://gvwire.com/2026/03/10/california-cardrooms-mount-court-challenge-to-bontas-blackjack-ban