Game/Gaming Activity Approval

The Gambling Control Act (the Act), Business & Professions Code section 19800 et seq., charges the Bureau with the responsibility to review and approve the rules of any game/gaming activity in a cardroom prior to them being offered for play. It is Bureau policy that all requests to review a game and/or promotional gaming activity require an application and a non-refundable $500 application fee and $315 background investigation deposit for the review and approval process (see forms link below). Gaming activities include promotional schemes which are appended to, reference or rely upon any controlled game (the base game). Promotional schemes include, but are not limited to, jackpots, cashpots, bonuses, drawing tickets, etc. The table limits, fee collection schedule, wagering limits and betting scheme must also be attached to all applications.

AMENDMENTS TO APPROVED GAMES OR GAMING ACTIVITIES

Bureau Regulation, section 2037 (J) states “If after a review it is determined that further investigation is needed, a deposit in the amount of $252 shall be required to review an amendment or change to any Bureau-approved game or gaming activity.” All amendments to any game or gaming activity must be approved before offered for play in the gambling establishment. To request a review of an amended game or gaming activity it is the Bureau's policy to receive the request in writing with the required deposited of $252.

REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL LICENSURE

Bureau Regulation, section 2071, requires all gaming activities offered by a gambling establishment to be reported to and approved by the Bureau. Gambling establishments must obtain written Bureau authorization prior to offering, or engaging in the gaming activity for play. In addition, all gaming activity is subject to local ordinance requirements, regardless of whether the Bureau has approved the gaming activity rules for play. The notification should include the following information: (1) the name of each gaming activity; (2) the rules for each gaming activity; including, where applicable, a description of the event that determines the winner of the gaming activity, the wagering conventions, and the fee collection and assessment methods; (3) a glossary of distinctive terms or phrases used in each gaming activity; and (4) a statement for each gaming activity that explains why that gaming activity is not prohibited or made unlawful by statute or local ordinance. If necessary, the Bureau may require the submission of additional information.

PROMOTIONAL SCHEMES (JACKPOTS, CASHPOTS, BONUSES, etc.)

Promotional schemes are gaming activities which are appended to, reference or rely upon any controlled game (the base game). Promotional a schemes include, but are not limited to, jackpots, cashpots, bonuses, drawing tickets, etc. The Bureau does not create or develop any games or promotional gaming activity schemes. Every gambling establishment must submit the proposed promotion to the Bureau for review and approval prior to offering the promotion for play in the gambling establishment.

FORMS

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