A San Jose ballot measure on gambling is turning into a one-way benefit and none of it’s going to the casinos as originally intended.
San Jose voters approved Measure H in 2020, allowing the city’s two casinos—Bay 101 and Casino M8trix—to add more tables in exchange for paying higher taxes. Since the measure passed, the state has squashed the decision to add more tables twice, but the card rooms are still paying additional taxes.
Now a state ban threatens any expansion for the next 20 years.
The state Legislature approved Assembly Bill 341 this week, which prevents new card rooms from opening and existing ones from expanding, with some exceptions.
