Increases in the number of COVID-19 cases throughout much of California led to today’s announcement many statewide businesses are ordered to close once again in 19 different counties.
Among these businesses is each table-games-only cardroom in each of the affected counties. This includes all of southern California’s cardrooms including Commerce Casino, home of the world’s largest poker room.
The announcement was made at Noon today by Gov. Gavin Newsom, leaving cardroom operators scrambling to determine how to respond.
The Twitter feed of Commerce included a reply the business is open as of 2pm, with an announcement likely later in the day.
Smaller rooms such as Stones Gambling Hall in northern California are also determining future actions. The cardroom is open as of 3pm, staff stating there’s a possibility of closing at midnight, but no official word has been offered at this time.
Full casinos are not included in the order, while most of the state’s casinos are tribal entities not subject to state mandates.
We’ve reached out to the California Gaming Association, billing itself as, “the voice of the California’s Cardroom Industry.” We’ll add comment when available.
Dan is the founder of PokerLiveUpdates, a veteran poker tournament reporter who can be found wandering somewhat aimlessly through tournament arenas worldwide. As a founding member of FunTour2.0, he searches for the best in craft beer at all locations in the poker world.
