The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved restrictions on traditional player vs. bank card games in California, marking one of the biggest changes in gaming regulations in recent years. The reforms followed multiple stakeholder meetings and public hearings and were finalized on February 6, 2026, by the Office of Administrative Law, requiring operators to either
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved restrictions on traditional player vs. bank card games in California, marking one of the biggest changes in gaming regulations in recent years.
The reforms followed multiple stakeholder meetings and public hearings and were finalized on February 6, 2026, by the Office of Administrative Law, requiring operators to either almost fully change or stop offering blackjack-style and player-dealer games.
The DOJ put strict prohibitions on how hands are decided and banned the use of specific terminology connected to 21-point games, such as “blackjack” and “21”. The restrictions will take effect on April 1, 2026, but cardrooms will have until May 31 to submit compliance plans.
The regulation states:
“Whether a player wins or loses shall be determined solely by whether the total points of a player’s hand are closer to the target point count when compared with the total points of the player-dealer’s hand.”
The California Gaming Association, led by President Kyle Kirkland, criticized the regulations, accusing Attorney General Rob Bonta and the bureau of harming thousands of families and California communities that depend on cardroom taxes.
It’s estimated that annual revenue losses could go up to $464 million; meanwhile, tribal casinos would gain around $232 million from the change in gaming income.