LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Hundreds of California cardroom workers will be joined today by elected officials to protests proposed changes by the California Bureau of Gambling Control that would halt blackjack-style games and change so-called “player-dealer” games.
Protesters will take their concerns, which include a reduction in activity and jobs in cardrooms across the state, to the Bureau of Gambling Control's public workshop scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency, 6225 West Century Blvd. in Westchester, according to spokeswoman Becky Warren.
Blackjack and other card games have been approved by the California Department of Justice and played at cardrooms without harm to or complaint from the public for decades, she said.
Disruption of these games would cost jobs and “disrupt the ability to fund critical services such as public safety, libraries, parks and other vital services,” Warren said. “Some cities rely on cardroom tax revenue for over half of their budget.”
City leaders from Bell Gardens, Commerce, Compton, Gardena, Hawaiian Gardens and Inglewood will join protesters at the event.