California Bans Blackjack in Cardrooms, Threatening Thousands of Jobs

Attorney General's decision to prohibit blackjack could devastate the state's cardroom industry, costing millions in tax revenue.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 8:07pm

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The California Department of Justice has decided to ban blackjack from being played in the state's cardrooms, a move that could cost thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue. The decision, backed by Indian gaming casinos, will force cardrooms to stop offering blackjack by April 1. Industry leaders warn this could lead to the closure of many cardrooms, as blackjack is the most popular card game. The state's own assessment estimates around 18,000 people working in cardrooms, generating $730 million in wages.

Why it matters

This decision by the California Attorney General's office is seen as heavily favoring the state's Indian gaming casinos, which will still be able to offer blackjack, over the independent cardroom industry. Cardroom owners argue the state has not shown how blackjack has caused any substantive harm to the public, and that the process to implement the ban was not transparent or inclusive of public feedback.

The details

The regulations banning blackjack in cardrooms will take effect on April 1, 2026, giving cardrooms 60 days to submit compliance plans. Industry leaders like Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association and Fresno's Club One Casino, say this could lead to a 50% revenue loss for cardrooms, potentially forcing many to shut down. Kirkland says Club One alone generates $1 million in annual tax revenue for the city of Fresno.

  • The regulations banning blackjack will take effect on April 1, 2026.
  • Cardrooms will have 60 days from April 1 to submit compliance plans.

The players

Rob Bonta

California Attorney General who approved the regulations banning blackjack in cardrooms.

Kyle Kirkland

President of the California Gaming Association and owner of Fresno's Club One Casino, who says the ban could cost thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue.

California Gaming Association

The industry group representing California cardrooms, which says the state never showed how blackjack has done substantive harm to the public.

Table Mountain

An Indian gaming casino that will still be able to offer blackjack to players under the new regulations.

Chukchansi Gold

An Indian gaming casino that will still be able to offer blackjack to players under the new regulations.

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What they’re saying

“Attorney General Bonta and the Bureau have unilaterally implemented extreme regulatory changes that will harm thousands of working families and the dozens of California communities that depend on cardroom taxes.”

— Kyle Kirkland, President, California Gaming Association and Club One Casino (GV Wire)

“Why do I have two decades of playing these games with no harm to the public and no public complaint other than from a tribe? What's driving that? What's changing the law?”

— Kyle Kirkland, President, California Gaming Association and Club One Casino (GV Wire)

What’s next

The California Gaming Association says it plans to take legal action against the state's Department of Justice over the blackjack ban.

The takeaway

This decision by the California Attorney General's office appears to heavily favor the state's Indian gaming casinos over the independent cardroom industry, raising concerns about the transparency of the regulatory process and the potential economic impact on thousands of workers and local communities that rely on cardroom tax revenue.