February 10, 2026
New state regulations approved this month are set to significantly reshape California’s cardroom industry, with operators warning the changes would effectively outlaw blackjack-style games from within those facilities.
Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that two sets of DOJ regulations were sent to the Office of Administrative Law for review on December 23, 2025, before being approved late on Friday. The new regulations clear the way for major changes to player-dealer rotation games and blackjack-style games statewide.
Under the new rules, cardrooms say some of their most popular games may have to be eliminated or significantly changed to comply with the new interpretation of state law. The rules take effect April 1, but cardrooms will have until May 31 to submit compliance plans.