In response to the recent San Francisco Superior Court decision striking down regulations adopted by Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Bureau of Gambling Control that would have significantly impacted licensed cardrooms throughout California, Lake Elsinore Mayor Robert Magee issued a statement.
“The City of Lake Elsinore welcomes the recent San Francisco Court decision reaffirming that major policy changes affecting California’s licensed cardrooms should be made through the Legislature—not through administrative actions that exceed existing legal authority. As the Court recognized, these types of decisions have significant consequences for local communities, jobs, and municipal services.
“The Court ruled that Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Bureau of Gambling Control exceeded its authority by adopting new regulations targeting California’s cardroom industry, affecting nearly 72 active licensed cardrooms, including Lake Elsinore Casino, because they offer blackjack-style games. The Court invalidated the regulations on the grounds that the Bureau, a division of the California Department of Justice, lacks authority to restrict games on a statewide basis. The ruling affirms what California cardrooms, local governments, employees, and communities have argued throughout this process: the Bureau is responsible for enforcing California’s century-old gaming laws—not rewriting them.
“Our community understands firsthand the value of stable, responsible local businesses. Lake Elsinore Casino has been part of the fabric of our city for decades, providing quality jobs, supporting local families, generating tax revenue, and serving as an important economic engine for our community. The casino has invested in Lake Elsinore, partnered in community events, and contributed to the vitality of our local economy.
“Local businesses deserve regulatory certainty. Businesses should be able to invest, hire employees, and plan for the future without the threat of sudden policy shifts driven by political agendas rather than legislative process. When regulations are developed outside of established authority, the consequences extend well beyond a single industry—they affect employees, local governments, and the communities that depend on them.
“As mayor, I believe decisions that impact thousands of jobs and critical local revenues should be made transparently through California’s elected Legislature, where all stakeholders have the opportunity to be heard. Protecting due process and respecting the rule of law are essential to maintaining confidence in California’s business climate.
“The Court’s decision protects more than a single industry. It reinforces an important principle that government must operate within the authority granted by law and that significant public policy changes belong in the legislative process.
“Lake Elsinore remains committed to supporting responsible businesses that create jobs, strengthen our local economy, and contribute to the quality of life our residents expect. We will continue advocating for policies that promote economic opportunity, regulatory fairness, and local decision-making while protecting the businesses that help our community thrive.”
The California Gaming Association stated that the ruling protects thousands of jobs and preserves a vital source of local revenue that supports police, parks, libraries, youth programs, and other essential community services throughout California. The Association further noted that the decision confirms that major gaming policy belongs before the Legislature rather than being implemented through administrative action.
