The Coalition to Protect Cardroom Communities has gained over 1,000 signatures on a petition formed to urge California Attorney General Rob Bonta to withdraw new cardroom regulations originally proposed in May 2025.
The Coalition and fellow California community leaders stated the new regulations could "devastate local economies, eliminate thousands of middle-class jobs and undermine city budgets across the state."
The petition was formed after statewide protests were held outside the Attorney General's office in late 2025, attended by cardroom employees, local officials and community supporters.
"The state's own review says these new rules would hurt cardrooms," Stones Gambling Hall patron Frank Patalano said.
"I go to Stones because it's close to where I live, to see familiar faces, grab food and play a few games. It's part of my routine and Stones is part of our community. These rules wouldn't just push out cardrooms for no good reason, they'd hurt the people who work there and the cities that rely on the revenue cardrooms bring in to support local services."
The Coalition to Protect Cardroom Communities is composed of cardroom workers, local residents, small business owners, business organizations and community advocates.
Bonta's proposal would affect close to 80 licensed and state-regulated cardroom establishments, which currently operate under "some of the strictest gaming oversight standards in the nation," according to the Coalition.
California cities, local workers and small business owners believe the new regulations are "tipping the balance" of gaming more toward Tribal casinos and illegal, unregulated gambling operations.
The Coalition to Protect Cardroom Communities anticipates recruiting "thousands" of more California residents to join its initiative and express concern over Bonta's proposal.
Kalshi released an official statement on November 10 regarding the denial of a preliminary injunction against the predictions marketplace, originally filed in September by Tribal entities in California
