California’s cardroom operators want their governor to order the state’s tribal casinos to close, ostensibly to “protect the health and safety of Californians,” but mainly because there’s no love lost between these factions. 

Last week, Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association (CGA), sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom regarding his July 1 order that forced all non-essential retail businesses – including cardrooms – in 19 counties to close for at least three weeks following a spike in COVID-19 infections.  

The state’s tribal casinos are run by sovereign nations that aren’t subject to Newsom’s orders, and Kirkland’s letter notes that “all tribal casinos in the targeted counties remain open.” Kirkland calls this ‘inconsistent” and suggests that Newsom actually has “the authority to order ALL casino operations, including tribal casinos, to cease operations in the affected counties.”

Kirkland cites a clause in the standard tribal-state gaming compact that says tribes “shall not conduct Class III Gaming in a manner that endangers the public health, safety, or welfare.” Kirkland argues that if Newsom truly believes “that gambling facilities pose a risk to the health and safety of the public in certain counties, we ask that you call upon ALL gaming operators in the targeted counties to close.” [Emphasis in the original.]