In an editorial published on August 20, the editorial board of the Los Angeles Daily News strongly criticized SB 549, stating that the bill would “make a mockery of our judicial system.”
SB 549, introduced by state Senator Josh Newman in February 2023, is known as the Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act. The bill seeks to amend a legal technicality—since tribes are sovereign nations, they currently cannot sue or be sued—by allowing tribes to sue cardrooms.
Following the passage of Prop 1A in 2000, tribes became the only entities in California permitted to offer house-banked card games like blackjack and baccarat, as well as slot machines, in their casinos.
‘Tribes want full control’ over California gambling
Cardrooms in California offer modified versions of table games by employing third-party player proposition services to act as the house.
SB 549, if passed, would allow tribes to challenge the legality of these games in court. If the courts find that the games violate state law, they could issue injunctions to stop cardrooms from offering them.
In their editorial, the Los Angeles Daily News editorial board stated, “The politics here are fairly straightforward. The tribes aim to gain full control over California’s lucrative gambling markets, which involve substantial financial stakes. On the opposing side are cardroom operators and local governments that rely on the revenue generated by these cardrooms.”
The board added, “Caught in the middle of this are California adults who simply want to enjoy playing card games.”
SB 549 generating momentum in Assembly
The Los Angeles Daily News editorial board likely chose to address SB 549 now because the bill is gaining momentum in the House.
Having passed the Senate in May 2023, SB 549 has advanced rapidly through the Assembly this summer. It most recently had its second reading on August 20 and is now scheduled for a third reading.
