California’s long-running fight over cardroom gaming entered a new phase this month after state officials approved a pair of closely contested gambling regulations. The California Nations Indian Gaming Association quickly praised the decision, saying it gives the Department of Justice clearer authority to rein in practices tribes have argued for years violate state law. “These regulations are an important step in combating unscrupulous and illegal gaming in California,” CNIGA Chairman James Siva said in a statement sent to ReadWrite. “The regulations further clarify that games and practices employed by commercial card rooms are indeed prohibited under California law. Running a business contrary to that law is an illicit business, period.…