California is the richest and most populous state in the U.S., and therefore an important market for gambling. However, its political landscape is complex, and competing interests have tended to sink most attempts at gambling expansion, despite the state’s overall liberal politics.
Retail poker is huge in California, thanks to its many cardrooms, which can legally offer only player-vs.-player, card-based forms of gambling. Many of the biggest tournaments and most popular poker streams in the U.S. take place at venues in California, like Bay 101, Commerce Casino, the Bicycle, and Stones Gambling Hall.
Online poker is a different story, being illegal for real money in the state. For a time, sweepstakes poker rooms targeted California residents, but the state banned that business model in September 2025.
The California cardroom industry can breathe a collective sigh of relief for now. California cardrooms are in the clear to… Continue reading California Cardrooms Cleared to Continue Dealing Blackjack After Court Win
The Nevada town of Primm, located on the California border, may be getting a lifeline after it looked to be… Continue reading Potential Primm Lifeline Could Let it Avoid Ghost Town Status
A San Francisco judge ruled that California cardrooms can continue to offer blackjack, halting Attorney General Rob Bonta’s regulations against… Continue reading California Cardrooms Win Preliminary Injunction to Continue Offering Blackjack
San Jose authorities arrested a suspect who continued to run an illegal gambling den out of a home four months… Continue reading Another San Jose Illegal Gambling Den Busted
A former operations manager for the Fresno Arts Council (FAC) has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after stealing more than… Continue reading Trusted Nonprofit Manager Stole $1.8M to Fund Gambling Habit at Local Casinos
A former Sacramento County mail carrier faces 11 federal counts after he allegedly stole hundreds of checks, credit cards, gift… Continue reading US Mail Carrier Accused of $630,000 Theft Scheme to Fund Gambling Habit
A coalition of card rooms and gaming associations is asking a San Francisco court to block new rules, enforceable from… Continue reading Poker Rooms on Edge as Cardrooms Seek Injunction to Stop California Blackjack Ban
Two Los Angeles-area cities with prominent cardrooms are proposing a sales tax increase intended to offset the financial impact of… Continue reading California’s Blackjack Ban May Force an Increase in Local Sales Tax
California cardrooms filed two lawsuits that challenge Attorney General Rob Bonta’s new state regulations that would bar cardrooms from offering… Continue reading California Cardrooms Sue Over AG Rob Bonta’s Blackjack Ban
Poker tournament director Justin Hammer said a lack of satellites is partially to blame for the downfall of the L.A.… Continue reading Can Satellites Help Revive the L.A. Poker Classic?
