FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO TEMPORARY CHANGES IMPLEMENTED DUE TO THE COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY

Are cardrooms allowed to reopen?

YES!! California has reopened! However, all businesses are required to follow any State, Federal and/or local COVID-related requirements.

What changes to operations is a cardroom or TPPPS required to make prior to resuming operations?

As of June 15, 2021, cardroom and TPPPS operations are required to follow the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) face coverings and mega events guidelines, as well as any other State, Federal, and/or local requirements still in effect. In addition, all applicable California Department of Industrial Relations COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards requirements are to be followed. Cardrooms will must also following any local jurisdiction requirements.

Are cardrooms and TPPPS required to follow the CDPH cardroom operation guidelines issued?

As of June 15, 2021, the previously issued CDPH cardroom operation guidelines are no longer in effect. However, cardroom and TPPPS operations are required to follow the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) face coverings and mega events guidelines, as well as any other State, Federal, and/or local requirements still in effect.

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Can a cardroom conduct gambling outdoors?

Yes, if a cardroom can operate outdoors safely and in compliance with all requirements and your local jurisdiction allows for outdoor gambling, a cardroom can operate outdoors.

Can a cardroom conduct gambling both outdoors and indoors?

Yes, if a cardroom can operate outdoors safely and in compliance with all requirements and your local jurisdiction allows for continued outdoor gambling, a cardroom can operate both outdoors and indoors. However, a cardroom cannot exceed its currently established authorized table count.

What requirements does a cardroom need to meet to operate outdoors?

As of June 15, 2021, the previous CDPH Outdoor Guidelines are no longer in effect. However, cardrooms and TPPPS are required to ensure gambling is always operated in a safe environment. As such, cardrooms operating outdoors are strongly encouraged to maintain additional security measures, as those previously outlined in the Outdoor Guidelines and the Commission's/Bureau's Laws and Regulations Resource Book, which contains all applicable Commission laws and regulations. In addition, cardroom and TPPPS operations are required to follow the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) face coverings and mega events guidelines, as well as any other State, Federal, and/or local requirements still in effect.

What is requested to be submitted to the Bureau prior to commencing outdoor gambling operations? 

If operating outside, a cardroom should provide to the Bureau, via email to gamblingcontrol@doj.ca.gov, the following prior to conducting outdoor gambling:

• An updated security and surveillance plan incorporating any changes made due to conducting outdoor operations;
• An updated emergency fire safety and evacuation plan;
• A detailed map outlining where outdoor gambling activities will occur and the designated outdoor perimeter;
• Photos of the outdoor gaming operation; and,
• Description of any changes made to the operation of the cage(s) and/or count room.

Is Bureau approval required prior to conducting outdoor gambling operations?

No.  For clarification, the Bureau will not be providing any approval to conduct outdoor gambling; however, the Bureau will conduct inspections to ensure that outdoor gambling is conducted safely, securely, and in compliance with existing statues, regulations, and all applicable requirements.

How do I submit the requested documentation to the Bureau?

You can submit the requested documentation to the Bureau via email at gamblingcontrol@doj.ca.gov.

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What is the status of the Commission's Emergency Regulations regarding Emergency Sanitation Plans?

The Commission's previous Emergency Regulations in place in response to COVID-19 have expired as previously noticed to the industry and provided on the Commission's Recently Adopted, Amended, and Repealed Regulations webpage.

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Is the Commission currently operating during the State of Emergency?

Yes. Our office is currently open to the public; however, a majority of the Commission staff are working remotely until further notice. The Commission is continuing all operations. You may contact the Commission via phone at 916-263-0700 or via email at comments@cgcc.ca.gov.

Is the Commission continuing to process applications once it receives a completed background investigation report from the Bureau of Gambling Control?

Yes. At this time, the Commission is continuing to hold its regular bi-monthly licensing public meetings and is continuing to process as many applications as possible. All applications are required to be submitted timely and per statutory and/or regulatory requirements. If you have any questions regarding your application due date, please contact the Bureau of Gambling Control at gamblingcontrol@doj.ca.gov immediately.

If I have a question for the Commission regarding any of the temporary changes due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency that are impacting stakeholders, who can I contact?

If you have any questions regarding the temporary changes in effect, please do not hesitate to contact the Commission at comments@cgcc.ca.gov or call the Commission's main line at (916) 263-0700.

If I have a question specific to my application, who do I contact?

Please contact the Bureau of Gambling Control (Bureau) directly. If you have been working with a specific Bureau analyst, please contact that analyst directly. If you have not been working with a Bureau analyst directly, please contact the bureau at gamblingcontrol@doj.ca.gov.

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Is the Commission continuing to hold public meetings during the current COVID-19 State of Emergency?

Yes. At this time, the Commission is continuing to hold public meetings. However, to ensure the continued safety of our employees, stakeholders, and general public, the Commission's hearing room is closed to the public until further notice. For the time being, all Commission public meetings will be held via teleconference and video conference. The Zoom meeting details can be found HERE.

All meeting agendas continue to be posted on the Commission's website at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. You can find all 2022 meeting agendas listed HERE.

The Commission will continue to post the meeting's recorded audio on its website within 24-hours after the meeting has concluded.

If I am not permitted to attend a public meeting in person, how am I able to participate in the Commission's public meetings during the current COVID-19 State of Emergency?

Although the Commission is not holding in-person public meetings at this time, the public is still able to participate in all of the Commission's public meetings. The Commission's correspondence dated March 19, 2020 provides information on how you can participate in our public meetings. However, for your convenience, the following information is provided:

• The Commission is using Zoom! As such, you are able to participate via telephone or video teleconferencing. Your choice.


• The Commission's Zoom info for all public meetings is:



Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/2857578614 Meeting ID: 285 757 8614 One tap mobile +16699006833,,2857578614# US (San Jose) +13462487799,,2857578614# US (Houston) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US +1 301 715 8592 US 877 853 5257 US Toll-free 888 475 4499 US Toll-free Meeting ID: 285 757 8614 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aLidP2me



• If you wish to make a public comment on any of the listed agenda items, you are encouraged to participate in the meeting view the Zoom meeting.


• If you do not wish to participate in the public meeting, but would like to send in a public comment for items NOT listed on an agenda, you can email your public comment to comments@cgcc.ca.gov. Please state the meeting date you would like your public comment read into the record.


• To eliminate confusion, the Commission's LIVE STREAM feature is disabled until in-person meetings resume.

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What relief has been provided to the cardroom and Third-Party Provider of Proposition Player Services (TPPPS) stakeholders during the COVID-19 State of Emergency?

Since March 2020, multiple fee and application submission extensions were provided to the industry in various Executive Orders issued, which have all expired. However, in July 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 137, which provided specific licensing fee waivers during 2020 and 2021.

Specifically, the following fee waivers have been provided:



• All renewal application fees and background deposits are waived between March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2022.*
• Cardroom Annual Fees otherwise due in 2020 and 2021 are waived.
• TPPPS Annual Fees otherwise due in 2020 and 2021 are waived.



Waivers were NOT provided for initial licenses.

*Please note, AB 137 previously stated April 30, 2022; however, Government Code Section 19821.1 was subsequently amended to reflect the correct period of March 1, 2020 through February 28, 2022.

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What fees are currently due?

All licensing and background deposit fees are due for initial license application requests. In addition, all non-licensing fees (i.e., table requests, relocation requests, game and promotion requests, etc.) are currently being collected when appropriate.

As mentioned above, AB 137 was signed into law in July 2021. AB 137 provides temporary waivers to the licensing renewal process for existing licensees and the Cardroom and TPPPS entities. AB 137 provides existing licensees a waiver on all renewal license fees and background deposits through February 28, 2022.

Through AB 137, Cardrooms are provided a waiver for their 2020 and 2021 Annual Fees. The next Annual Fee will be due no later than 120 calendar days following the end of the cardroom business licensee's preceding fiscal year, which for most Cardrooms their Annual Fee would be due by April 30, 2022.

Through AB 137, TPPPS companies are provided a waiver for their 2020 and 2021 Annual Fees. Under current regulations, the next TPPPS Annual Fee payment would be due by September 1, 2022. However, the Commission currently has proposed regulations that if approved by the Office of Administrative Law would change the next due date to be by January 1, 2023.

If you have any questions regarding your annual fee payments, please contact the Bureau at gamblingcontrol@doj.ca.gov.

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I am currently a holder of a license, work permit, registration, or finding of suitability that is set to expire. Can I get an extension?

All previous application due date extensions provided via prior Executive Orders have expired.

If you have questions regarding your application due date, please contact the Bureau at gamblingcontrol@doj.ca.gov immediately.

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My company is currently required to submit a financial report. Can I can get an extension?

All previous financial report due date extensions provided via prior Executive Orders have expired.

If you have questions regarding your financial report due date, please contact the Bureau at gamblingcontrol@doj.ca.gov immediately.

If you wish to be noticed via email of any new correspondence released by the Commission, please SUBSCRIBE HERE.

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I am an owner of a cardroom who will need to seek a loan for the cardroom due to the impact of the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Do I require preapproval or review from the Bureau of Gambling Control or Commission for such a loan?

Any gambling establishment seeking to receive loans from any federally or state-chartered lending institution or 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. As long as the loan does not assign or pledge an interest in the Gambling Enterprise, the length of the loan does not matter.

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I am a tribal gaming agency representative and my tribal gaming operation is planning on receiving financing from a financial source, such as a Small Business Administration Payroll Protection Program loan, that my agency can exempt from our Compact's licensing requirements and finding of suitability process. Do I need to contact the Commission regarding that financing and exemption?

If your Compact requires notification be provided to the State Gaming Agency, either once the exemption has been made or 30 days before the exemption is made, you should continue to provide notice to the Gambling Control Commission. If you need additional assistance regarding the exemption including the Commission's documentation of receipt or confirmation of the exemption for lender's purposes, you can also contact the Commission for assistance. Please email your notification and/or request to Executive Director Stacey Luna Baxter at Slunabaxter@cgcc.ca.gov.

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