California Bans Blackjack at Card Rooms, Fresno Casino Owner Warns of Tax Revenue, Job Losses

The new regulations, proposed by the state Attorney General, effectively ban card room blackjack and place stricter rules on player-dealers.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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California will ban traditional card-room blackjack starting April 1 due to recently-approved state regulations that stand to benefit Native American casinos but could hurt licensed card rooms, including Fresno's Club One Casino and Clovis' 500 Club Casino. Club One owner Kyle Kirkland warns the ban could cut the casino's tax contributions to the city of Fresno by about 75% and eventually lead to fewer jobs.

Why it matters

The ban is the result of years of tribal casinos arguing that card rooms were skirting the law by offering modified styles of blackjack. The new regulations received over 1,700 public comments, including opposition from Fresno-area elected officials and support from the tribal gaming community. The move highlights the ongoing tension between tribal casinos and card rooms over gaming rights in California.

The details

The new regulations, proposed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the Bureau of Gambling Control, essentially ban card room blackjack and place stricter rules on player-dealers. They were approved on Friday by the state's Office of Administrative Law, and California card rooms have until May 31 to submit plans for compliance. Club One owner Kyle Kirkland estimates the ban could cause a 75% decrease in the tax revenue Club One contributes to the city of Fresno's General Fund, which averages around $1 million annually.

  • The new regulations will go into effect on April 1, 2026.
  • Card rooms have until May 31, 2026 to submit plans for compliance with the new regulations.

The players

Kyle Kirkland

The owner of Club One Casino in Fresno, who is also the president of the California Gaming Association.

Rob Bonta

The California Attorney General who proposed the new regulations banning card room blackjack.

California Nations Indian Gaming Association

A main supporter of the new regulations, which argued card rooms were skirting the law by offering modified styles of blackjack.

The 500 Club Casino

A card room casino located in Clovis, California that will also be impacted by the blackjack ban.

Club One Casino

A card room casino located in Fresno, California that will be impacted by the blackjack ban.

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What they’re saying

“You're talking about 500-600 working families in the county of Fresno immediately impacted by this.”

— Kyle Kirkland, Owner, Club One Casino (The Fresno Bee)

“For nearly a decade, we and many tribal governments throughout California have been seeking relief from what we believe to be unlawful games at card rooms.”

— James Siva, Chairman, California Nations Indian Gaming Association (The Fresno Bee)

What’s next

Legal action is planned by Club One Casino to push back against the new regulations, according to owner Kyle Kirkland.

The takeaway

The blackjack ban highlights the ongoing tension between tribal casinos and card rooms over gaming rights in California. While tribal casinos argue the new rules will protect their economic contributions, card room owners warn the changes could devastate their businesses and local tax revenues.