CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATES
FAQs ON COVID-19 RELATED CHANGES
The California Gambling Control Commission (Commission) recognizes the impact the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had on all of our stakeholders. The Commission has created this page on its website to allow for quick and easy access to information related to temporary changes in place due to the current COVID-19 State of Emergency that have an impact on our stakeholders.
In addition, the Commission has also provided answers to the Frequently Asked Questions we have recently received; specifically related to temporary changes that are currently in place. If you have a question that has not been answered on this webpage, please do not hesitate to contact the Commission at Comments@cgcc.ca.gov.
Last updated on June 15, 2021.
| The Commission's Office is open to the public; however, due to the current State of Emergency, most of the Commission’s staff are working remotely. All staff are accessible via phone or email. |
If you have questions that have not been answered on this webpage or the FAQ webpage, please contact the Commission at comments@cgcc.ca.gov or its main line number at (916) 263-0700. |
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Please see the Commission's FAQs specific to temporary COVID-related changes that are currently in place. |
COMMISSION CORRESPONDENCE
The following are, in chronological order with most recent listed first, correspondence that the Commission has sent out during the declared COVID-19 State of Emergency:
ADVISORY NOTICE: BEYOND THE BLUEPRINT AND EXECUTIVE ORDER N-08-21
Issued Date: June 11, 2021
Notice to the cardroom industry members regarding the information released by Governor Newsom regarding the June 15, 2021 efforts to safely reopen California. In addition, the notice provides information on Executive Order N-08-21, which extends the application, background deposit, and annual fees due date to September 30, 2021.
ADVISORY NOTICE: FINANCIAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS & TEMPORARY TABLE DECREASES
Issued Date: March 11, 2021
Notice to all interested parties regarding the March 11, 2021 Office of Administrative Law approval of the Commission's emergency regulations on financial reporting requirements and temporary table decreases.
FINANCIAL REPORTING REQUIRMENTS
Issued Date: December 4, 2020
Notice to the cardroom industry members advising of the Commission's intent to initiate Emergency Regulations to provide temporary relief related to 2020 financial reporting requirements. The intended Emergency Regulations will specifically provide relief to Group I and Group II licensees whose fiscal year ends on December 31st. Update: Please see the Commission's March 11, 2021 Advisory Notice.
REVISED - REGIONAL STAY AT HOME ORDER
Issued Date: December 4, 2020
REVISED notice to the cardroom industry members regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s and the California Department of Public Health’s announcement of a Regional Stay at Home Order. The revised notice highlights the requirement that cardroom must close within 24 hours of the triggering event.
Update: As of June 15, 2021, the Stay-at-Home Order is no longer in effect.
REGIONAL STAY AT HOME ORDER (superseded by December 4, 2020 notice)
Issued Date: December 3, 2020
Notice to the cardroom industry members regarding Governor Gavin Newsom's and the California Department of Public Health's announcement of a Regional Stay at Home Order. PLEASE SEE DECEMBER 4, 2020 REVISED NOTICE.
LIMITED STAY AT HOME ORDER
Issued Date: November 19, 2020
Notice to the cardroom industry members regarding Governor Gavin Newsom's and the California Department of Public Health's announcement of a limited Stay at Home Order requiring generally that non-essential work, movement and gatherings stop between 10 PM and 5 AM in counties in the purple tier. Please see the Commission's December 4, 2020 Notice providing updated information.
BLUEPRINT FOR A SAFER ECONOMY UPDATES
Issued Date: November 17, 2020
Notice to the cardroom industry members regarding recent changes in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy moving several counties into more restrictive tiers. Please see the Industry Notice issued on June 11, 2021 for the most recent information regarding the Blueprint.
Update: As of June 15, 2021, the Blueprint for a Safer Economy is no longer in effect
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-83-20: ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY RELIEF
Issued Date: October 28, 2020
Notice to industry members regarding revised and additional relief provided to the industry. The notice provides the extended due dates for specific fees and reports and requires that all applications currently due or previously extended are to be submitted within 30 days of the Executive Orders' release date.
Please note Executive Order N-83-20 is no longer in effect. Please see the Commission's June 11, 2021 Industry Notice regarding Executive Order N-08-21, which supersedes Executive Order N-83-20.
OUTDOOR GAMBLING
Issued Date: September 9, 2020
Notice to cardroom industry members regarding additional requirements outlined in the Outdoor Operations of Cardrooms guidelines for cardrooms conducting outdoor gambling.Please see the Industry Notice issued on June 11, 2021 for the most recent information.
Update: As of June 15, 2021, the previously issued CDPH cardroom operation guidelines are no longer in effect.
NEW CALIFORNIA BLUEPRINT FOR A SAFER ECONOMY AND HOW IT RELATES TO CARDROOMS
Issued Date: August 28, 2020
Notice to cardroom industry members regarding California's new Blueprint for a Safer Economy and how it relates to the cardrooms. This notice provides information on where to find each county's risk level and how that defines the operation of cardrooms within each county. The new Blueprint takes effect on Monday, August 31, 2020. Please see the Industry Notice issued on June 11, 2021 for the most recent information.
Update: As of June 15, 2021, the Blueprint for a Safer Economy is no longer in effect.
ADVISORY NOTICE CONCERNING EMERGENCY REGULATIONS: EMERGENCY SANITATION PLANS (CGCC-CGA-2020-02-E)
Issued Date: August 21, 2020
Notice to all interested parties regarding the effective date of the Emergency Sanitation Plans emergency regulation. This notice also provides a summary of the emergency regulation requirements.
For the full Emergency Sanitation Plan emergency regulation text, please go to the Commission's Recently Adopted, Amended, and Repealed Regulations webpage.
For the most up-to-date information regarding the Emergency Sanitation Plan regulations, please visit the Commission's COVID-related FAQs webpage.
MANDATED CARDROOM CLOSURES IN ALL COUNTIES
Issued Date: July 13, 2020
Letter to the cardroom industry members reiterating Governor Newsom's July 13, 2020 directive mandating the closure of ALL cardrooms statewide until further notice.
Please see the Commission's June 11, 2021 Industry Notice Notice for the most current information regarding cardroom operations.
UPDATE ON GOVERNOR DIRECTED CARDROOM CLOSURES WITHIN SPECIFIED COUNTIES
Issued Date: July 8, 2020
Letter to the cardroom industry members regarding the addition of Napa, San Benito, and Yolo counties being added to the list of counties impacted and require the cardroom closures within those counties, as directed by Governor Newsom.
Please see the Commission's June 11, 2021 Industry Notice for the most current information regarding cardroom operations.
UPDATE ON GOVERNOR DIRECTED CARDROOM CLOSURES WITHIN SPECIFIED COUNTIES
Issued Date: July 7, 2020
Letter to the cardroom industry members regarding the additional counties that require cardroom closures as directed by Governor Newsom.
Please see the Commission's June 11, 2021 Industry Notice for the most current information regarding cardroom operations.
MANDATED CARDROOM CLOSURES WITHIN SPECIFIED COUNTIES
Issued Date: July 1, 2020
Letter to the cardroom industry members regarding Governor Newsom's July 1, 2020 directive to close cardrooms within specific counties. The directive is in place for a minimum of three week. The letter identifies those cardrooms impacted. Please see the July 7, 2020 Commission letter for the most up-to-date information.
Please see the Commission's June 11, 2021 Industry Notice for the most current information regarding cardroom operations.
ADDITIONAL 60-DAY RELIEF PROVIDED DURING COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY: RELEASE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER N-71-20
Issued Date: June 30, 2020
Letter to the Commission industry stakeholders outlining the additional 60-day extensions provided in Executive Order N-71-20 related to specified fees, renewal application, and various reporting timeframes.
Please note, Executive Order N-71-20 is no longer in effect.
Please see the Commission's June 11, 2021 Industry Notice for the most current information regarding cardroom fee due date extensions.
CARDROOM REOPENING GUIDELINES AND NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO RELEASE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS
Issued Date: June 5, 2020
Letter to the Commission industry operators and designated agents regarding the Cardroom and Racetracks reopening guidelines released by Governor Gavin Newsom on June 5, 2020 for Cardrooms and Third-Party Providers of Proposition Player Services. This correspondence reiterates that the guidelines do not signify authorization for a statewide cardroom reopening and that specific county approvals and authorizations must first be obtained.
Please see the Commission's June 11, 2021 Industry Notice for the most current information regarding cardroom operations.
ADDITIONAL RELIEF PROVIDED DURING COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY: RELEASE OF EXECUTIVE ORDER N-66-20
Issued Date: May 30, 2020
Letter to the Commission industry stakeholders providing an update related to the Executive Order N-66-20, released on May 29, 2020, which provides an additional 60-day extension to the specified fees and timeframes outlined in Executive Order N-40-20.
Please note, Executive Order N-66-20 is no longer in effect.
RELIEF PROVIDED DURING COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY
Issued Date: March 31, 2020
Letter to the Commission industry stakeholders outlining specific relief provided via Governor Newsom's March 30, 2020 Executive Order N-40-20. This letter outlines, for any cardroom or Third-Party Provider of Proposition Player Services (TPPPS) that suspends operations due to the proclaimed emergency, specific 60-day extensions provided for payment of annual fees currently due, expiration dates occurring during the State of Emergency, and application and related fees, financial reporting, and condition reporting that would otherwise be due during the State of Emergency.
Please note, Executive Order N-40-20 is no longer in effect.
RESPONSE TO CARDROOM INDUSTRY REQUESTS
Issued Date: March 27, 2020
Letter in response to various Cardroom industry member and association requests for statutory and/or regulatory relief. This letter also provides clarification to the cardroom industry that any gambling establishment seeking to receive short-term loans from any federally or state-chartered lending institution, regulated bank, or savings association does NOT require prior review or approval from the Bureau of Gambling Control or the Commission provided ownership interests in a Gambling Enterprise are not assigned or pledged.
COMMISSION'S CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS
Issued Date: March 19, 2020
Letter to the Commission stakeholders providing notification of the Commission's continuation of services and changes in the Commission's public meeting format. Currently, for the continued safety of the Commission's employees, our stakeholders, and the general public, the Commission's Hearing Room will remain closed until further notice. Executive Order N-29-20, issued on March 17, 2020, allowed for several exemptions to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. For the time being, all Commission public meetings will completed via teleconference and video conference. The Zoom meeting details can be found HERE.
CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC MEETING'S AND PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Issued Date: March 13, 2020 (SUPERSEDED BY MARCH 19, 2020 CORRESPONDENCE)
Notification provided the stakeholders that Commission public meetings were continuing and the various methods that the public could participate. This letter was superseded by the updated correspondence sent out on March 19, 2020.
CARDROOM INDUSTRY CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Issued Date: March 11, 2020
Notification provided the stakeholders that Commission public meetings were continuing and the various methods that the public could participate. This letter was superseded by the updated correspondence sent out on March 19, 2020.
BUREAU OF GAMBLING CONTROL COVID-19 RELATED CORRESPONDENCE
The following are correspondence regarding COVID-19 changes and/or reminders from the Bureau of Gambling Control sent to the industry during the declared COVID-19 State of Emergency:
BUREAU CORRESPONDENCE: REMINDER REGARDING REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Issued Date: June 18, 2020
Bureau of Gambling Control correspondence to the California Gambling Establishments reminding of regulatory requirements related to game modifications and required approvals and surveillance. In addition, the correspondence provides temporary relief to allow gambling establishments to deal player-dealer style games with cards face up to prevent players from touching cards. Such change does require notification to the Bureau.
EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE COMMISSION AND/OR INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS
The following are Executive Orders signed by Governor Newsom that have a direct impact on the Commission's operations and/or the industry:
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-08-21
Issued Date: June 11, 2021
Executive Order N-08-21 extends the application, background deposit, and annual fee due dates to September 30, 2021.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-07-21
Issued Date: June 11, 2021
Executive Order N-07-21 rescinds the previously issued Stay-at-Home Order.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-83-20 (NO LONGER IN EFFECT)
Issued Date: October 28, 2020
Executive Order N-83-20 extends the application and annual fee due dates to June 30, 2021 (superseded by Executive Order N-08-21), 2019 Financial Report due date to December 31, 2020, and requires that all applications currently due or previously extended are to be submitted within 30 days of the Executive Orders' release date.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-71-20 (NO LONGER IN EFFECT)
Issued Date: June 30, 2020
Executive Order N-71-20 provides an additional 60-day extension through August 29, 2020 related to specified fees and application timeframes.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-66-20 (NO LONGER IN EFFECT)
Issued Date: May 29, 2020
Executive Order N-66-20 provides an additional 60-day extension through July 29, 2020 for the timeframe set forth in Executive Order N-40-20, Paragraph 10. Please see Executive Order N-71-20, for the latest extensions provided.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-40-20 (NO LONGER IN EFFECT)
Issued Date: March 30, 2020
Executive Order N-40-20 provides specific relief to the Commission stakeholders as it relates to certain fees and mandated timeframes. Please also see the Commission's March 31, 2020 correspondence that provides additional detail. Please see Executive Order N-71-20, for the latest extensions provided.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-29-20
Issued Date: March 17, 2020
Executive Order N-29-20 provides all State agencies who hold public meetings temporary relief from certain Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act requirements.
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-25-20
Issued Date: March 12, 2020
Executive Order N-25-20 proclaimed a State of Emergency to exist in California as a result of the threat of COVID-19. Executive Order N-25-20 also provided the initial temporary exemptions to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, which was later strengthened in Executive Order N-29-20 identified above.
COVID-19 RELATED COMMISSION EMERGENCY REGULATIONS
FINANCIAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS & TEMPORARY TABLE DECREASES
Status: Effective as of March 11, 2021
Set to Expire On: January 7, 2022
For the full Financial Reporting Requirements & Temporary Table Decreases emergency regulation text, please go to the Commission's Recently Adopted, Amended, and Repealed Regulations webpage.
EMERGENCY SANITATION PLANS 2nd READOPTION
Status: Effective as of June 14, 2021
Set to Expire On: November 11, 2021
For the full Emergency Sanitation Plan emergency regulation text, please go to the Commission's Recently Adopted, Amended, and Repealed Regulations webpage.
EMERGENCY-BASED REMOTE COUNTS FOR GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS
Status: Effective as of September 17, 2020
Set to Expire On: August 3, 2021
For the full Emergency-Based Remote Counts emergency regulation text, please go to the Commission's Recently Adopted, Amended, and Repealed Regulations webpage.
