The Golden State of California has 72 card clubs, many of them in urban centers where tribal casinos don’t operate. Examples include the Bicycle Hotel and Casino in Bell Gardens and the Hustler Casino in Gardena.

In addition to poker, these clubs also operate pai gow poker, blackjack and baccarat—so-called “California games.” If new rules proposed by the state Bureau of Gambling Control are adopted, card room operators say, playing the games will be so complicated, players will go to tribal casinos that aren’t bound by such rules.