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CALIFORNIA GAMING - The casino industry is one of California’s biggest economic contributors with the industry generating approximately $20 billion annually, according to the American Gaming Association. The sector not only provides much welcome tax dollars but also supports an estimated 184,000 jobs across the county.
California’s tribal-operated casino industry is the nation’s second biggest economic contributor behind only Nevada. That figure is even more impressive when you consider California’s casinos are limited to Native American tribal lands only, unlike its neighbour.
While Los Angeles doesn’t directly allow traditional casinos due to the county’s gaming laws, there is competition for the revenues that gaming offers. That means some L.A. venues have found unique ways around regulations which allow them to offer visitors casino gaming entertainment.
Current Regulations
L.A. currently allows certain forms of gaming while prohibiting others. However, card rooms can legally offer visitors games such as poker, pai gow, and, baccarat, but only if players compete against each other, not the house. All "banked games" that have house competition are deemed illegal except on Native American tribal lands outside the city borders.
Growth of Card Rooms
Los Angeles is home to numerous major card rooms such as the Commerce Casino, Bicycle Casino, Hollywood Park Casino, and the Hawaiian Gardens Casino. They offer poker and other casino card games and also host major poker tournaments that attract players from around the world.
Their success has helped generate substantial tax revenue for the city and seen an increase in investment in Card Rooms. Facilities have expanded and improved to compete with traditional casinos, and now boast multiple dining options, bars, hotel rooms, and more.
Popular Card Rooms
· Commerce Casino & Hotel: The world's largest card room with over 240 tables
· Parkwest Bicycle Casino
· Hustler Casino
· The Gardens Casino
· Larry Flynt's Lucky Lady Casino
· Hollywood Park Casino
Innovation
The expansion of Card Rooms and the growth in online gaming has seen tribal casinos invest heavily in their infrastructure. Their casinos are being been transformed into luxury destinations that offer the latest slots with free spins bonuses, roulette, blackjack and more, plus spas, golf courses, and high-end entertainment acts.
The Yaamava' Resort and Casino at San Manuel, located just 60 minutes from downtown Los Angeles is a prime example of that new investment. The Casino has been one of the leading entertainment destinations in the state and offers over 7,400 slot machines and hundreds of tables games. In 2021, as part of a multimillion-dollar expansion project that spanned three years, the resort opened a new 17-floor, 432-room hotel, plus a 3,000-seat concert venue with a 3,800-square-foot stage.
Competition
The city of Los Angeles, renowned internationally for its Hollywood glamour, also boasts beautiful beaches, cultural attractions, bustling arts scene, and a vibrant sports community. However, the addition of Card Rooms has added an extra dimension to the city’s attractions.
While California remains one of the most popular visitor destinations in the country, its neighbour Nevada is a renowned and popular attraction for gamers around the world. By investing in better facilities and responding to the demand for casino games within the city, L.A. hopes to attract tourist dollars that are often spent across the county line.
Other Card Room and Tribal Casino innovations include:
- VR Slots: Interactive features and regularly updated slots keep the tribal casinos competitive with online platforms and neighbouring Nevada.
- Mobile and Digital Engagement: While online casino gambling isn’t legal in the state of California, using mobile apps for loyalty programs and promotions and even virtual poker, allows card rooms and tribal casinos to compete with the online gaming world.
- AI and Personalization: Casinos and Card Rooms can also tailor promotions and game offerings based on player behaviour. This creates a more immersive and engaging gaming experience for players.
Will gambling continue to boom in L.A.
Although California’s 2022 ballot initiatives, which aimed to legalize sports betting, ultimately failed, there is no denying there has been a significant cultural shift in attitudes toward gaming. The state is losing valuable revenues to neighbouring Nevada, as well as online platforms all of which would create jobs and generate much needed tax dollars.
The potential legalization of Sports Betting and Online Gambling could see Los Angeles become a major hub due to its vibrant sports culture. Home to The Lakers, Dodgers, Clippers, Rams, Kings, Angels, LA Galaxy, and Los Angeles FC, the city has all the major sports covered. Combine that with a population of 3.8 million people and some estimates suggest sports betting alone could generate $3 billion annually for the state.
Legal outlook
The lack of legal online casino and sports betting in California presents regulators with a huge dilemma. Players are already using offshore gambling platforms to get around the rules leading to a substantial loss of tax revenues and a wild west unregulated online sector.
Legalising online gaming would allow the state to benefit from these revenues, as well as better regulate the market to protect consumers and ensure the sector is properly run. As online gaming grows in popularity, the pressure to legalise it in California will continue to grow.
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