More than 1,050 Californians have signed a petition that was sent to Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office urging him to withdraw cardroom regulations proposed in May 2025, rules that community leaders warn would devastate local economies, eliminate thousands of middle-class jobs, and undermine city budgets across the state, according to the Coalition to Protect Cardroom Communities.

The proposed regulations would impose additional restrictions on roughly 80 licensed and state-regulated cardrooms that already operate under some of the strictest gaming oversight standards in the nation. Cities, workers, small business owners and patrons say the new rules go too far, tipping the balance of California's gaming landscape toward Tribal casinos and illegal, unregulated gambling operations, and are asking why such drastic changes are being pursued.

“The state’s own review says these new rules would hurt cardrooms,” said Frank Patalano, a Stones Gambling Hall patron in Citrus Heights. “I go to Stones because it's close to where I live, to see familiar faces, grab food, and play a few games. It’s part of my routine and Stones is part of our community. These rules wouldn’t just push out cardrooms for no good reason, they’d hurt the people who work there and the cities that rely on the revenue cardrooms bring in to support local services. Nothing is wrong with the way things are now. We don’t need more rules that regulate cardrooms out of existence.”

The petition follows four statewide protests held outside the Attorney General's offices throughout the state, where cardroom employees, local officials, and community supporters raised concerns about efforts that they believe would create a gaming monopoly. Advocates have also pointed to campaign contributions from Tribal casino interests as a growing concern among cardroom communities.

The more than 1,050 petition signers join the newly formed Coalition to Protect Cardroom Communities, a statewide alliance of cardroom workers, local residents, small business owners, business organizations and community advocates. The Coalition expects to recruit thousands more Californians to join the effort and express their concern over regulations they view as unfairly limiting access to local entertainment venues.

About the Coalition to Protect Cardroom Communities

The Coalition to Protect Cardroom Communities represents local communities, small business owners, cardroom workers, and advocates dedicated to defending California’s historic cardrooms and card-playing traditions. The Coalition stands for protecting jobs and promoting fair, balanced, and transparent regulations that serve community interests—not political agendas.

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