Legal Question in Business Law in California

i want to open a poker room in san diego county, there are already two poker rooms in the county and casinos outside of san diego county. Are there special requirements to open a poker room in san diego county? can anyone open one?


Asked on 2/20/10, 7:16 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

What kind of experience do you have in this or any closely-related business? There are a lot of special requirements, including most notably those that won't be found in any book of statutes or regulations. Start with the attitudes and policies of the zoning and permits people you'll have to deal with. If you're going to serve alcohol, or food, study the ABC rules and license requirements as they apply at your proposed location - distance from schools, adequacy of plumbing, etc. What about parking and handicapped access? Can you get liability insurance? Do you have all the necessary investment capital, or will you need a loan or line of credit? Do you know how to background-check your employees? ....and so on.

The main laws covering legal gambling are found in the Business and Professions Code and are known as the Gambling Control Act. It starts at B&P Code section 19800. In addition, rules are published in the California Code of Regulations (see Title 4, Division 18).

There is a Bureau of Gambling Control in the California Department of Justice. It probably has a Web site (I have not checked).

Gaming is covered in the Penal Code, primarily Sections 330 through 337z, and the main one addressing poker is 337s, which applies to counties with populations in excess of 4 million, which I guess is the Legislature's indirect way of saying Los Angeles County. See also 337j regarding "controlled games" which I think would apply to you.

All these codes can be found on line. No doubt San Diego County and the cities in the county have local ordinances as well.

Read more
Answered on 2/26/10, 9:07 am
James Bame San Diego Law Office

To assist you through the maze of laws and regulations an attorney would veritably be required. Please contact this office for assistance at a reasonable fee.

Read more
Answered on 2/27/10, 11:05 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Business Law questions and answers in California