California Judge Blocks New Cardroom Rules Backed by State Regulators

A California judge has temporarily blocked a set of controversial gambling regulations that cardroom operators say could severely damage their businesses and the communities that depend on them.

Court Found “Clear and Convincing Evidence”

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Darwin issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday, May 21, 2026, stopping new regulations introduced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Bureau of Gambling Control from going into effect amind an ongoing and broader legal fight in court.

The lawsuit was brought by the California Gaming Association, which argued that the state had gone beyond its authority by introducing rules that would effectively ban some of the most popular games offered in licensed cardrooms across California.

In his ruling, Judge Darwin agreed that regulators likely exceeded the authority granted to them under California law. 

The court also found there was “clear and convincing evidence” that enforcing the regulations could cause serious and irreversible harm to cardrooms and the cities that rely on the revenue they generate.

Big Win for Californian Cardrooms

The decision marks a major victory for California’s cardroom industry, which has been locked in a long-running dispute with tribal gaming interests over gambling operations in the state.

Cardrooms have operated in California for decades and are a significant source of jobs and local tax income in many communities. Industry representatives say the threatened games have long been legally offered and remain central to their business model.

State laws only allow tribes to offer banked gambling, but cardrooms employ third-party player-dealers and devised games that fit the local regulatory framework, while still allowing visitors to engage in games. 

Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association, welcomed the ruling and sharply criticized the state’s actions.

“Today’s ruling validates what we have said all along,” Kirkland said in a statement. “Attorney General Bonta and the Bureau of Gambling Control exceeded their authority by attempting to rewrite California gaming law.”

He also accused state regulators of acting under pressure from tribal casino interests seeking to reduce competition from cardrooms.

According to Kirkland, the proposed rules would not only hurt casino operators but also impact local economies, public safety funding, and thousands of workers employed by the industry.

The legal battle now moves forward as the court considers the broader challenge to the regulations. Until then, California cardrooms will be allowed to continue operating under the existing rules.

The California Department of Justice has not yet publicly detailed its next steps following the ruling.