The California Assembly March 23 sent AB341 to the Senate. The bill would reinstate a 25-year old moratorium on new cardroom licenses that expired January 1.
The bipartisan bill, passed by 68-1, was supported by a coalition of cardrooms and gaming tribes. A spokesman for the alliance said the bill would allow for measured growth in the industry. The bill aims to bring back the moratorium that had been created by the Gambling Control Act of 1997.
To become law, the bill would require approval by the Senate and the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom.
Besides banning new cardroom licenses, the bill allows existing cardrooms to expand at a measured rate by adding tables. For example, a cardroom with 20 or fewer tables could add up to 10 new ones over the 20 years of the moratorium.
The coalition that sponsored the legislation includes the Commerce Casino & Hotel, Hawaiian Gardens Casino, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, Cahuilla Band of Indians, Kings Card Club, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
