The California Bay Area community of Antioch will vote June 7 on whether to limit the number of card rooms in the town to one: the existing 19th Hole.
The owner of an area casino, the California Grand Casino in Pacheco, located a few miles outside of the city has spent in excess of $300,000 to support the initiative, dubbed Measure E. The measure would take away the power to approve more card rooms away from the city council and reserve it to the voters. It would also limit where such facilities could be located.
If Measure E passes, it would doom a former card room, Kelly’s Card Room, which has been shuttered for the last for years, but which the city council would like to reopen. Last year the council approved of an ordinance that allowed a maximum of two card rooms.
When Kelly’s was closed by the California Bureau of Gambling Control for “lack of funds and probation violations,” the owners weren’t able to find a buyer for time. Three years ago the city granted a license to an area developer who promised to reopen the card room. But then federal prosecutors charged that developer with fraud and money laundering. He pleaded guilty and lost his license as well.
Supporters of Measure E claim the city has mismanaged the issue and say it should be taken out of the city’s hands and given to the voters.
Antioch Mayor Wade Harper accuses outside forces of trying to “bully” the city’s voters. One council member has complained about being approached by paid petitioners who had no idea what the petition contained.
Others are annoyed that the city will bear the cost of the election, estimated at about $132,000.
