California’s card room industry spent more than $3 million opposing four candidates this election, including three who lost. The card rooms wanted revenge after lawmakers approved a bill that would allow casino-owning tribes to sue card rooms over the tribes’ contention that card rooms are offering illegal table games like this one, pictured at Commerce Casino in Los Angeles County. work hard to continue to gain respect and protect our employees, protect our cities, protect our businesses.
The cash the card rooms poured into the four races sends a message to lawmakers that they’re also capable of spending big, including on political vengeance, said former Democratic Assemblymember Mike Gatto. Despite losing the legislative battle, card rooms spent more than $3 million on attack ads, text messages, mailers and other outreach to voters targeting the four candidates. The card rooms also bought ads supporting candidates running against them.
Outgoing Democratic Assemblymember Evan Low of Cupertino faced similar attacks in his failed congressional bid. Low sat on the same Assembly committee as Davies and voted this summer for the gambling bill. Low also had a major cardroom in his Assembly district. Low’s campaign didn’t return a message seeking comment.The card rooms also went after termed-out Democratic Assemblymember Brian Maienschein in his failed bid for San Diego city attorney.