[a fool in paradise]

Some gambling, like poker, is legal in California

Does that include the "house" having a stake? Or just "poker night" at someone's home and "charity poker" (both of which are also legal but somewhat open to review in Texas).

[SoCal Pubbie]

In California casinos, traditionally the law allowed games of “skill," but not “chance”, so 21 was outlawed while poker was okay. By whatever process that's changed, and forms of blackjack are now played, as well as Pai Gow and other card games. Craps is still illegal. The house “rents” the table to the players, who play among themselves. Indian casinos have slots. There is also horse racing here too. So just about anything but slots, craps and maybe sports book would be fair game. I could see the State passing a special law to allow a train to have all types of gambling though, just to get the tax revenue.