California City Forced to Put Anti-Casino Measure on Ballot

Sun, Feb 21, 2016

The voters of Antioch, California, will vote on whether to limit casinos in their city thanks to a petition that was largely funded by a competing casino in another city. The city council was reluctantly required to either adopt the measure proposed or put it on the June ballot, at a cost of $145,000.

The Antioch, California city council has voted reluctantly to put a measure on the June ballot that would make it harder for businesses like its one card room, 19th Hole Casino and Lodge, to add space, or for new card rooms to open.

The council’s hand was forced when a petition signed by more than 6,000 residents forced the council to either adopt the measure or put it on the ballot.

One council member expressed frustration that most people who signed the petition couldn’t explain what its purpose was.

The initiative is being bankrolled by an out-of-town casino, California Grand Casino in neighboring Pacheco, which wants to prevent its rival from expanding or for another casino to open in Antioch. The casino contributed $145,000 to fund the petition drive.

The city will be forced to spend as much as $177,000 to hold the election.

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