Keker, Van Nest & Peters represents seven California tribes in a lawsuit against casino card rooms throughout the state. The lawsuit accuses the rooms of profiting from illegal gambling and asserts that the tribes have exclusive rights to offer banked games such as baccarat, blackjack, poker, and pai gow: Axios, Law360, and other news outlets reported.
The Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act in California, which took effect January 1, allows California Indian tribes to sue licensed card clubs and third-party players that act as the bank in the games to determine whether they are violating state law and tribal gaming exclusivity and to seek injunctive relief. The tribes filed suit on January 2.
Keker partner Adam Lauridsen said in a statement that the suit looks to ensure that California's prohibition on banked games in card rooms "can't be just another broken promise" to the state's Indian tribes. Lauridsen asserted that the California Constitution grants tribes the exclusive right to offer blackjack, baccarat, and other banked games in tribal casinos.
"As part of exercising their rights, tribes have collectively contributed hundreds of millions to the California state budget through gaming-compact payments and provided crucial services to broad communities," he said. "Card rooms have brazenly rejected this voter-approved framework and instead forged ahead with offering illegal Vegas-style games. The fact that card rooms are making lots of money from breaking the law is no defense."
The suit was filed in Superior Court in California by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Barona Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Indians, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.
In addition to Lauridsen, Keker partners Elliot Peters, Julia Allen, and Maya James represent the tribes.
The case is Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians et al. v. Parkwest Bicycle Casino et al., case number 25CV000001, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Sacramento.
Please read more about it in The Recorder, Axios, Law360, Daily Journal, Sacramento Bee, and Gambling News. (Subscription may be required.)