High stakes: Inside the multimillion-dollar battle for gambling rights in California

In California, Californi a-California, California, a gambling industry, a powerful tribal casino and its competitors are fighting a fierce battle in this year's parliament. Millions of tax revenues in local cities are weighing.

Under the preliminary law, California tribes can appeal to a competitors' private card club, assuming that cards violate the exclusive rights of tribes against Las Vegas gambling.

In response, the card club has developed a large lobby activity. Los Angeles Hawaiian Garden's Casino spent $ 9. 1 million in lobbying activities last year. This is the second most common amount reported by the state regulatory authorities.

"If we attack us and try to take what we have gained for decades, we have to pull themselves." So we spend the money we need. Now we are talking about survival.

There are also things that should be on the map about the card room. San Jose's authorities told the parliament that if the number of tables was increased by 30 in local card rooms, 80 police officers could be hired. Almost tw o-thirds of the budget in the Hawaii Garden City, and almost half of the commerce budget in Los Angeles County is formed by local card rooms.

"We are very dependent on these games," said Kughago Argumedo and Mayas Mayor. "We provide many programs and services provided to residents in this area."

The bill (Senate bill 549) is supported mainly by the tribal groups of American indigenous people who mainly manage large casinos. These tribes are one of the most influential lobbys in Sacramento. Since 2014, California's position candidates have received about $ 23. 5 million from tribes. This is more than twice as much as the oil company given to state politicians in the same year.

In response, state industrial officials have donated about $ 3. 8 million in the same period.

A tribal group has an illegally provided game such as Blackjack, Bakara, and Poker Paigo, and for many years, a historic isolation community throughout the California states for many years. He claims that he has earned hundreds of millions of dollars. < SPAN> In California, Californi a-Californi a-California, a powerful tribal casino and its competitors are fighting a fierce battle in this year's parliament. Millions of tax revenues in local cities are weighing.

Under the preliminary law, California tribes can appeal to a competitors' private card club, assuming that cards violate the exclusive rights of tribes against Las Vegas gambling.

In response, the card club has developed a large lobby activity. Los Angeles Hawaiian Garden's Casino spent $ 9. 1 million in lobbying activities last year. This is the second most common amount reported by the state regulatory authorities.

"If we attack us and try to take what we have gained for decades, we have to pull themselves." So we spend the money we need. Now we are talking about survival.

There are also things that should be on the map about the card room. San Jose's authorities told the parliament that if the number of tables was increased by 30 in local card rooms, 80 police officers could be hired. Almost tw o-thirds of the budget in the Hawaii Garden City, and almost half of the commerce budget in Los Angeles County is formed by local card rooms.

"We are very dependent on these games," said Kughago Argumedo and Mayas Mayor. "We provide many programs and services provided to residents in this area."

The bill (Senate bill 549) is supported mainly by the tribal groups of American indigenous people who mainly manage large casinos. These tribes are one of the most influential lobbys in Sacramento. Since 2014, California's position candidates have received about $ 23. 5 million from tribes. This is more than twice as much as the oil company given to state politicians in the same year.

In response, state industrial officials have donated about $ 3. 8 million in the same period.

Gold Rush gambling rules fuel conflict

A tribal group has an illegally provided game such as Blackjack, Bakara, and Poker Paigo, and for many years, a historic isolation community throughout the California states for many years. He claims that he has earned hundreds of millions of dollars. In California, Californi a-California, California, a gambling industry, a powerful tribal casino and its competitors are fighting a fierce battle in this year's parliament. Millions of tax revenues in local cities are weighing.

Under the preliminary law, California tribes can appeal to a competitors' private card club, assuming that cards violate the exclusive rights of tribes against Las Vegas gambling.

In response, the card club has developed a large lobby activity. Los Angeles Hawaiian Garden's Casino spent $ 9. 1 million in lobbying activities last year. This is the second most common amount reported by the state regulatory authorities.

"If we attack us and try to take what we have gained for decades, we have to pull themselves." So we spend the money we need. Now we are talking about survival.

There are also things that should be on the map about the card room. San Jose's authorities told the parliament that if the number of tables was increased by 30 in local card rooms, 80 police officers could be hired. Almost tw o-thirds of the budget in the Hawaii Garden City, and almost half of the commerce budget in Los Angeles County is formed by local card rooms.

"We are very dependent on these games," said Kughago Argumedo and Mayas Mayor. "We provide many programs and services provided to residents in this area."

The bill (Senate bill 549) is supported mainly by the tribal groups of American indigenous people who mainly manage large casinos. These tribes are one of the most influential lobbys in Sacramento. Since 2014, California's position candidates have received about $ 23. 5 million from tribes. This is more than twice as much as the oil company given to state politicians in the same year.

In response, state industrial officials have donated about $ 3. 8 million in the same period.

A tribal group has an illegally provided game such as Blackjack, Bakara, and Poker Paigo, and for many years, a historic isolation community throughout the California states for many years. He claims that he has earned hundreds of millions of dollars.

"This is not to kill a card hole. It's not about eliminating the settlement. It's a story to protect us," Bierhas Band of Kumeyai Indian Prosecutor Karmaters Tueri. Bignife says. His tribe manages a large casino surrounded by San Diego.

Tribes seek standing to sue competitors

The SB549 is in deliberations by the Congress Public Organizing Committee who likes the gambling bill. Although the schedule for hearing has not yet been decided, those who are listening to the bill will be deliberated in late April or May.

Card Hall evaluates this issue as a battle between David and Goliate. This is because their on e-year income is only 10 % of the revenue of the tribal government gambling from the 70 tribal casino gambling. The card hall has a prestigious supporter of district authorities. They say that if the local gambling chamber is basically losing this legislative war, their major cities may go bankrupt.

When epidemic diseases stopped gambling business in Hawaiian Gardens, the capital had to reduce the huge staff and reduce proposals. Mayor Victor Falpan said that it was actually a signal that the chairman could not handle ambiguous games.

"The mayor of Falfan responded to an interview with Kalmaters in the Hawaiian Garden, where the meeting place is visible from the parking lot, saying," So, I was told that there was basically the same income as today. "

However, the tribes say that California voters actually have other ways to collect funds without infringing the gambling rights to gambling in the state group.

"They have all the opportunities to collect taxes, have all the opportunities to issue bonds, and have all the opportunities to create almost all other things," said the general prosecutor of the Viehas tribe. I said. "It's actually prepared" blocks access to illegal income. "

The roots of gambling are in the Gold Rush-the time when a negligent gambling hall took money from the mineral. The Young Legal Collection, on the other hand, has banned the gambling grounds from providing games in Las Vegas, where the casino plays the role of "home" and directly observed the bet.

The ban was valid in 2000 until voters approved this initiative. This initiative gave the tribe the right to sign a contract with the state to hold a specific game at a casino.

There is no objection to the fact because the private card room has all the opportunities to provide poker, and the players bet their friends and friends. The Randelia in the SB549 database applies to classic card games, especially the most profitable blackjack in the contested games.

Bipartisan support for bill

Based on the California Constitution, Card Hall cannot take any opportunities to acquire customers. Card clubs will avoid this ban and contract with external companies that play the role of "home" and "bank". These external employees usually sit on a card table near the card room and issue a card to the player. Outsiders do not observe the role of fine dust, except how to collect the player's bed and pay the prize. Dealers need to provide the opportunity to work as a bank. Almost all customers abandon. Card clubs receive commissions from the game.

They even say at the gambling hall that their business models have been approved by state regulatory organizations.

"All games that say that the tribes are illegal are definitely approved in all card halls in California," said Ed Manning, the lobby of the card hole industry, said the first bill last summer. I told the members of the Diet at the meeting.

However, the tribal casino called the card business model a illegal fiction, and asked the state regulatory authorities, voters, and the members of the Diet for this scope.

The tribes were repeated, and the California was involved and called for ambiguous games. The President of the 3 districts has dismantled all the standards of the standard, but so far this politically charged problem has not been determined by them.

The incumbent prosecutor, President Rob Bont, proposed a new rule last year, but according to the card room, it is likely that it will be difficult to continue an ambiguous game. The proposed criteria exist in the Gambling Administration Bureau under the umbrella, and the examination conditions are not specified.

On the other hand, Card Hall and tribal governments have been cooperating a lot since the introduction stage of 2021. Since then, the Card Hall industry has not donated at least $ 287. 000. According to OpenSecrets, the tribes have not donated at least $ 222. 000. Fur said he was actually determining the role of the 2026 governor election campaign.

After the regulatory authorities were not happy, the tribes tried to submit a card room to the court for business negligence. However, California's court determined that the tribe was a sovereign government and had no right to file a lawsuit in accordance with this special law.

Card rooms, unions pressure Sen. Newman

The tribal track was directed to voters. In 2022, the tribe paid 26. The initiative is led by the Gambling Sports Law violates and the Ministry of Justice has taken measures to take measures.

Overwhelming majority rejected the majority, saying that $ 170 million more than $ 170 million was creeped.

Now, the tribes want the members to shorten their billing to the card hall so that they can label them. The SB549 prohibits the tribes from urgently calling card holes for foreign exchange compensation, fine, or lawyer repayment. The court only acknowledges whether the gambling business model is legal.

The tribes say that if the card hole is legally operated, nothing will be afraid.

"Card Hall has an obligation to win the tribal abilities in this issue and just to justify the legal nature of his actions," said Big Knife's President Vyqua.

Sharp, Hawaiian Garden's Casino Chief Lawyer speaks more and more excitement that the court will become a real regulator in the case of the SB549 leak. According to his text, this is the ability to force the court to contact the court to get permission for a new game that the card room operator is trying to play, or what are you already playing? Whenever you want to change a hundred games.

"We will be in court all the time, and lawyers will create money," Sharp says. "This may be another strategy. Ultimately crush the card hall for litigation costs."

In addition, the card hall says that even if some tribes have the right to give the court to the court, this is meaningless. As a sovereign government, tribes do not have any opportunities to appeal to card holes.

The author of SB549 is said to be Josh Newman, a member of the Democratic Party of Fraton, and he has nine c o-author, Cecilia Agi a-Selie, a Democratic parliamentary, parliamentary, and former House of Representatives Chairman Tony Atkins, Tony Atkins. Is covered. The Republican Republican c o-author of the Bill was Senator Scott Wilk and the House of Representatives Marie Waldron, both of which were a minority darling in each parliament.

Despite the cooperation of more authoritative members of the Diet, it can only be an ambiguous view of whether this bill moves the governor's finger. This gambling woman is not shared by political parties, regions, and ideology differences. One of the fastest lawmakers votes depends on whether there is a large or a tribal casino in your area.

Meanwhile, both parties are spending millions of dollars to influence lawmakers.

For example, the Atkins campaign has received at least $215, 000 from tribes since 2014.

"Thanks to SB549, tribes can now voice their concerns that their constitutional rights are being violated in court. Providing access to the courts to get answers after a story full of injustice is a step worth taking."

Tribes are also providing more support on issues that are important to prominent Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom. For example, the Confederated Indian Tribes of Graton Rancheria pumped $1. 5 million into Newsom's campaign to promote Mental Health Bill 1, which narrowly made it through the March primary. The tribe also donated $750, 000 to defeat Newsom's 2021 recall campaign.

In response, card halls and related companies have donated at least $229, 250 to Newsom since 2014.

But money is not the only way gambling companies try to influence lawmakers.

Tribe attacks Sen. Dodd

It was a sunny day in December when a bus pulled up to Sen. Newman's office in Fullerton. Dozens of protesters got off, small red-and-white badge-like stickers affixed to their chests.

"Hello, my name is Newman. I support rich tribal casinos, not my constituents' workplaces," one protester wrote.

Shavon Moore Cage, a member of AFSCME, a municipal workers' union, was one of more than 100 people at the rally that day.

She said the protesters wanted to convey to Newman the idea that his "job-killing" bill would hurt local gambling establishments, whose taxes help finance his employer, the City of Hawaiian Gardens.

"We ruined his day." Newman did not respond to CalMatters' repeated requests for comment.

Newman is one of the state's most vulnerable Democrats. He successfully lost his seat in 2018 before reclaiming it two years later. Newman has spent months fighting back against four Democrats who may have ties to the gambling business.

The local AFSCME gave more than $700 to the four applicants. The state union is an opponent of Newman's casino bill. Janice O'Mary, a lobbyist who represents AFSCME's political activities in Sacramento, did not respond to a request for comment.

But Moore-Cage said her union, AFSCME Local 36, is not endorsing the four candidates. Newman told Politico that she sees the election fight as a revenge for another fight over University of California employees.

Newman's colleagues noted that he was busy, regardless of whether the cardroom dispute was related to AFSCME's decision to support Newman's rival in the primary.

"I feel sorry for Newman," said House Speaker Aguirre-Serry, who co-authored SB 549.

She said some of her colleagues are "worried about their campaigns" because of Newman's gambling bill.

But she says it's time to embrace SB 549 and leave the battle between tribal casinos and gaming venues to the courts. "Let's do that," Aguiar-Selly said. "And, as the saying goes, the legislators have buyers."

In the Aguiar-Teri district, which stretches from north of Sacramento to the Lake District, Cache Creek Casino Resort, managed by the Yocha Dehe Wintun Tribe, is one of the tribes opposed to the card.

"The illegal activities of card halls in our area are causing our gambling company, Cache Creek Casino Resort, to lose $13 million a year," said Anthony Roberts, chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Tribe, in a statement to CalMatters. "This behavior violates our rights and impacts our ability to provide services to our people, employees and local government partners.

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• Recently, Democratic Senator Bill Dodd (VPI), whose district intersects with the Aguiar-Sery area, has attacked tribes for their role in the spatial issue on the map.
• At the time, Dodd told his colleagues that he wanted a longer-term moratorium on card-holing activities. He jokingly called the never-ending debate over the moratorium the "Lobbyist Continued Employment Act."
• The Yoha Dehe tribe was furious with Dodd because without the bazaar moratorium, new competitive card rooms would have expired. Separately, the tribe is still mired in the failure of a constitutional amendment Dodd filed in 2019 that would have legalized sports betting using computers and mobile phones. Recovery also had to explain that card rooms have the right to offer their own controversial games.

Early last year, the tribe sent a message to Dodd's constituents, criticizing him for being so favorable toward card rooms. They even put up a billboard on J Street near the Capitol in Sacramento.