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Attempt to legalize blackjack fails

Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 | 11:18 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SACRAMENTO -- An attempt to legalize blackjack in California card clubs busted Thursday in the state Senate, despite arguments that the clubs should be able to offer the same games as Indian casinos.

"Fairness indicates that we be evenhanded in the application of gambling in California," said Sen. Jim Costa, D-Fresno. "Gambling is legal in California. Some do not like that, but it is."

But Sen. Jim Brulte, R-Rancho Cucamonga, said if card clubs want to be able to offer blackjack they should get voter approval.

The Senate voted 22-10 to defeat a bill by Assemblyman Dick Floyd, D-Gardena, that would allow card parlors to offer blackjack or 21, as the popular casino game is called.

Supporters of Floyd's bill say that card clubs are using copycat games like 20 or 22 to get around the blackjack ban, which dates to 1885.

A ballot measure approved by voters in 1998 allows the governor to negotiate compacts with Indian tribes allowing blackjack and certain other card games in tribal casinos.

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