Games People Play

Cardrooms facing new rules

About Town – TUESDAY, 3/24/26

The California Department of Justice is advancing regulations that will outlaw certain games currently being played in local cardrooms, possibly forcing some of them to fold. Steve Snider, a principal in the Parkwest Casino on Cherokee Lane, says, “If the regulations become effective, they would have a significant impact on the Lodi casino and the city of Lodi revenue earned from the operators of the cardroom.” The city received $463,983 in fees from cardrooms last year, says city public information officer Nancy Sarieh, and she adds that $276,097 has been received so far this year. The new regulations will prohibit cardrooms from offering modified versions of blackjack and other “banked card” games where players compete against a central “banker” or “house.” Cardrooms in California are currently barred from offering games where players compete directly against the house. They got around that restriction with a system using “player-dealers,” which has allowed establishments to offer modified versions of blackjack and baccarat, according to the gaming industry. The new rules will effectively outlaw the workaround. Becky Warren with the California Gaming Association says the group has filed suit to block the new rules.

TOW ZONE: When the post office says its parking lot is for PO customers only, take ’em seriously. Social media has lit up recently over reports of cars being towed from the School Street lot. A call to the PO for comment went unanswered. But several people have said their cars were towed in the past. One even posted a picture of a tow truck hooking up their car. Surprisingly, there are few shed tears over the matter. Stephanie Giorgi Schneider said, “I rarely find a parking spot on the weekdays so I can pick up my mail. Meanwhile people are parking there and walking to other businesses while I’m circling or park blocks away.” Daniel Fox warns, “Always read the signs. If you don’t, you are not a victim.” However, others complain that cars are being towed even afterhours when the PO is closed. Elaine Ulrich reports, “Cars towed last night after business hours. Terrible!” A reader remembers the mid-90s when half the downtown storefronts were vacant and there was no parking problem.

SEASON OPENER: Much to everyone’s delight