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SB 549 is a Bad Bet for California
Reject SB 549
- Gives tribal nations PAGA-like powers to sue their competitors while no one has standing to sue them.
- Allows tribal casinos to continue violating their compacts by playing illegal roulette and craps by prohibiting anyone from suing them.
- Harms California residents who need jobs and cities across the state who rely on the hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues.
- Allows wealthy gaming tribes to flood the courts with litigation tying up court resources and impacting the access to justice for millions of Californians.
Join us in Opposing SB 549
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
- California Professional Firefighters
- SEIU California
- AFSCME District Council 36
- AFSCME District Council 57
- AFSCME Local 101
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades DC 36
- Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014
- Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association
- California Contract Cities Association
- California Cities for Self-Reliance Joint Powers Authority
- California Cities Gaming Joint Powers Authority
- Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn
- Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis
- City of San Jose
- City of Bell Gardens
- City of Chula Vista
- City of Citrus Heights
- City of Commerce
- City of Compton
- City of Emeryville
- City of Gardena
- City of Hawaiian Gardens
- City of Inglewood
- City of Oceanside
- City of Tracy
- Town of Colma
SB 549 is a Bad for CA
SB 549 Is a Solution in Search of a Problem
Cardrooms are already subject to strict regulatory oversight. Businesses and personnel must obtain licenses and approvals from the California Gambling Control Commission (Commission) and the Bureau of Gambling Control (Bureau) within the Department of Justice. Extensive regulations govern their operations.
SB 549 Hands State Agency Authority Over to Commercial Interests
The bill disregards the deep tradition of deference to agency discretion. State agencies such as the Bureau are a building block of how the State of California exercises its sovereign law enforcement authority in pursuit of the public interest. SB 549 hands state agency authority over to commercial interests, which is a matter of concern.
California Voters Have Already Rejected a Handover of Enforcement Power to Tribes
Voters overwhelmingly rejected Proposition 26 in November 2022, which contained a very similar special interest private cause of action. This renewed assault on the Bureau’s authority is worse: Proposition 26 at least required private litigants to first give the Bureau an opportunity to pursue enforcement itself. Here, the Bureau isn’t even involved in any way.
The Court Proceedings Unleashed by SB 549 Would Be Wasteful and Impractical
The court proceedings unleashed by SB 549 would be wasteful and impractical. The bill says almost nothing about how its unprecedented cause of action would work. But it would be a huge undertaking: Any tribe can challenge any game operated by any cardroom. Every action under the statute—even those involving different games at different cardrooms—will be consolidated into one massive proceeding. Most cardrooms are small businesses, but SB 549 allows powerful and well-resourced tribal interests to drag cardrooms and others into court hundreds of miles from home.
SB 549 Could Have Serious Implications for Communities
SB 549 could have serious implications for state commerce. California cardrooms spur more than $5 billion of annual economic activity, employ tens of thousands of workers, and generate roughly $500 million in tax revenue annually. The unpredictable SB 549 proceedings would lead to years of market uncertainty that could have major economic consequences.
Meet the Cardroom Employees
32,000 cardroom employees could be harmed by SB 549
Videos
Newsroom
State shouldn't cede authority to [tribal] casinos
August 1, 2024
Regardless of whether the Interior Department approves a casino resort on the outskirts of Windsor, there are ample opportunities to gamble in California.
SB 549 will create inequality and poverty in low-income communities
August 14, 2024
El proyecto de ley SB 549 del senador Josh Newman es una legislación que supuestamente dará acceso a tribus que tienen necesidad de recursos económicos.
Cardroom Employees Protest Another California Bill Aimed at Non-Tribal Gambling
By Kevin Smith | December 7, 2023
More than 100 LA-area cardroom employees and supporters gathered Wednesday, Dec. 6 in Fullerton to protest a bill they fear could fuel wide-ranging job and revenue losses for their industry.
California Cardrooms Protest Bill Allowing Indian Casinos to File Lawsuits Against Them
December 7, 2023
In a gathering of over 100 Los Angeles-area cardroom employees and supporters on December 6 in Fullerton, concerns were voiced regarding a proposed bill they fear could lead to job and revenue losses for their industry.
Sen. Newman’s Bill Would Severely Impact Cardrooms, City Budgets, and Tens of Thousands of Employees
By Brian Hews | December 8, 2023
Last year, California voters rejected Proposition 26, a ballot measure that would have allowed tribal casinos to run roulette and dice games while dictating the kinds of games the California cardrooms could offer.
Employees Protest Bill That Could Allow Tribes To Sue Card Rooms
By C.J. Pierre | December 13, 2023
Los Angeles-area cardroom employees and supporters took to the streets recently to protest legislation filed by a local lawmaker.
Take Action
Join cardroom employees, cities, community leaders, union representatives and others in saying No to SB 549.