Card Rooms (in CA) question

[KreellKeiser]

A friend and I have been talking about starting our own business. Part of what we are interested in doing is opening a card room (likely it would be one piece of a larger bar, club, etc.).

Simple question, I thought I read somewhere some months back that no new card rooms can be opened in CA right now. I can't remember where I read that though, or if it was accurate. Anyone know where to find this out?

We'd love to have a card room as part of our plan, but if not possible, we can just focus on other aspects.

[jfk]

There is currently a moratorium on new card rooms which runs through (I believe) 2008. The political clout of Indian gaming interests is such that the moratorium is not especially likely to get lifted then.


Unless your friend happens to be Chippewa you won't be opening a room soon.

Moreover, many of the smaller mom and pop type places which used to be commonplace just couldn't make a go of it due to the tax and regulatory burdens. The four table card room is something of a relic. I can think of as many which have gone away in the past six years as still exist.

As such, you'll have to put up with the steadily rising rake and irregular service now available at existing CA cardrooms. Apparently the legislature believes theses businesses should be shielded from the sort of competition from professionals with a service orientation which would quickly threaten their existence.

[FCBLComish]

I believe you can purchase a current license for a card room, but no additional licenses will be issued. There are several very small rooms that may be willing to sell.

[AKQJ10]

[ QUOTE ]
Simple question, I thought I read somewhere some months back that no new card rooms can be opened in CA right now. I can't remember where I read that though, or if it was accurate. Anyone know where to find this out?

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe from here: http://poker.wikia.com/wiki/Casinos:California (server's slow today)

MarkT added that entry; you could message him on his talk page and ask him to cite a source there.

[DpFrydHef]

Here is a link to the California Gambling Control Act, which regulates card rooms in the state. Section 19963 prohibits the issuance of any new licenses until after Jan 1, 2010.

Link

Also note that the city council of the city where your bar/restaurant will be located must also pass an ordinance permitting a gambling operation in their jurisdiction.

[jfk]

[ QUOTE ]
...There are several very small rooms that may be willing to sell.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does anyone know if a recently defunct cardroom can sell, transfer or renew a license?

[AngusThermopyle]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
...There are several very small rooms that may be willing to sell.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does anyone know if a recently defunct cardroom can sell, transfer or renew a license?

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends on the city ordinance.
At least one (Santa Clara) said that if the cardroom was closed for 60 days, the license expired.

[KreellKeiser]

Thanks for all the info.

My friend is actually part Cherokee (like 1/16th)... we should exploit that somehow, lol.