California Tribes sue to block private casino ‘banked’ games

They allege that these games are illegal.

Several Tribes in California have filed a lawsuit to ban private casino “banked” games.

Tribal nations involved in the suit include the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Barona Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Indians, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.

According to court documents, the Tribes allege that private casinos throughout the state have “brazenly profited from illegal gambling” and are in violation of the Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act.

California’s Tribes claim they were given exclusive rights to host these table games by voters.

The complaint said, “Under Tribal-state compacts, California Indian Tribes have bargained with the State (and pay) for a gaming system that facilitates their exclusive right to offer such banked games within California. But for years, California card rooms and their partner third-party proposition players have ignored the law and refused to recognize Tribes’ exclusive rights.

“Instead, they have reaped illegal windfalls by offering banked games that are barred by the California Constitution, California Penal Code, and relevant judicial decisions. Plaintiffs bring this lawsuit under the recently enacted Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act to stop Defendants’ exploitative abuses.”

A recent bill, Senate Bill 549, signed into law by the state’s Governor, has opened the door for Tribes in California to petition a judge to rule on whether the state’s card rooms are offering blackjack and pai gow poker card games illegally.

However, Tribes around the state did not previously have the legal stand to sue because they were established sovereign nations.

Not long after the bill became law, the state’s card rooms spent close to $3m prior to last November’s election to oppose four California legislators “who play key roles in the bill’s passage,” according to an Associated Press report.

The card rooms described the investment in three defeats as “money well spent.”

Laura Mack

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