Earlier editions: 2026-07
Title 5 — Business Licenses and Regulations›Division II — Business Permits and Regulations›Chapter 5.28 — CARD CLUBS
Bell Municipal Code Art. II Licensing
Bell Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Bell
Cite as: Bell Municipal Code Article II · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 5.28.120. Card club license required.¶
It is unlawful for any person to commence or conduct, or permit to be commenced or conducted, or to participate in the conduct of a card club within the city, for which a fee, commission or compensation is directly or indirectly charged, accepted or received from persons who are players in a game for the privilege of playing in such game, unless a license has first been issued under and in compliance with provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code § 4221(a); Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.130. Application—Limitation.¶
No application for a license shall be received, filed or processed by the CAO, if the total number of current and valid licenses issued by the city, equals the total number permitted pursuant to Section 5.28.580 of this chapter.
(Prior code § 4221(b); Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.140. Application—Contents.¶
Subject to the provisions of this chapter, any person, including a proposed transferee of an existing license (hereafter collectively "applicant" which shall include a proposed transferee), desiring to conduct a card club shall file with the CAO a written application therefor. Each such application shall contain the following information:
A. The date of the application; and
B. The true name of the applicant; and
C. The status of the applicant, i.e., an individual, corporation, partnership or joint venture; and
D. If the applicant is a natural person, the residence and business address and personal and business history of such person; and
E. If the applicant is other than a natural person, the name, residence, the business address and personal histories of each of the officers, partners, principals or joint venturers of such applicant; and
F. The proposed site for the card club; and
G. The type and nature of the games proposed to be played; and
H. The number of tables to be placed in the card club; and
I. A description of any accessory use to be conducted or proposed to be conducted at the site; and
J. A description of the building or buildings proposed for such usage; and
K. An acknowledgement by the applicant that:
All buildings and structures located or to be located on the site will at all times during which the license is in existence, conform to all applicable laws related to the occupancies proposed, and
The applicant understands that the application will be considered by the city council only after a full investigation and report have been made, and
The applicant understands and agrees that any authorized accessory use conducted at the site by a licensee shall be operated in full conformity with all applicable laws and that any violation of any applicable laws shall be grounds for revocation of a license, and
The applicant has read, understands and will accept as conditions of issuance upon a license all of the provisions of this chapter; and
L. A full and complete audited financial statement relating to the applicant (the financial statement required by this subsection shall be confidential documents and shall not be open to public inspection to the extent such confidentiality is permitted pursuant to applicable laws); and
M. Any other information required by the CAO.
(Prior code § 4226; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.150. Investigations and reports.¶
A. Investigations Required. Whenever an application for a license, or the transfer of a license, has been filed with the CAO, complete in form, the CAO shall immediately refer such application to the chief and other appropriate city officials, or city-employed consultants, who shall cause an investigation to be conducted covering the following:
An investigation of the site where the proposed card club will be conducted; and
An investigation of the applicant, including the proposed officers, partners, principals and point-holders; and
An investigation as to the type, number and locations of tables to be used at, or in conjunction with, the card club; and
Such other investigation as is deemed necessary by the CAO, the chief or the city council.
B. Reports Required. The CAO and chief shall conduct the required investigations with reasonable promptness and shall file their written reports with the city council.
C. Updated Investigations. The chief shall have the right to require any licensee, pointholder or employee holding a work permit to supply additional or updated information to that previously required of such person for use in any investigation being conducted by the chief. Additionally, each such person shall cooperate in any such investigation undertaken by the chief, or any other law enforcement official, and shall allow any and all relevant books, records and accounts to be inspected and copied by the city.
(Prior code § 4227; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.160. Authority of city council.¶
A. Decision of the City Council. The city council, in its discretion, subject to the provisions of this chapter, shall approve, conditionally approve or deny an application for the issuance or transfer of a license.
B. Conditions. Any license which is ordered issued or transferred by the city council, shall be deemed issued or transferred subject to compliance with all applicable laws. The city council may impose specific additional conditions of approval upon the issuance or transfer of a license, in the exercise of its discretion, which it deems reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
C. Decision of the City Council Final. The decision of the city council pertaining to the issuance or refusal to issue a license, or permit the transfer of an existing license, shall be final and conclusive.
(Prior code § 4228; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.170. License issuance.¶
If the action of the city council on any such application is to direct the issuance of the license, or approve the transfer of an existing licensee, the CAO shall in writing issue the license and any other permits so authorized, or transfer an existing license upon the payment of all required fees, taxes and deposits, required to be paid pursuant to this code.
(Prior code § 4230; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.180. License denial.¶
The city council, after hearing shall deny an application for a license if any of the following facts are found by it to exist:
A. If any applicant does not hold a valid registration approval of the Attorney General of the state pursuant to the Gaming Registration Act; or
B. If the proposed card club or any accessory use is or will be operated in violation of any applicable law; or
C. If any applicant, including a corporate officer, partner, joint venturer or principal has been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude, including, but not limited to, the crimes of bookmaking, loan sharking or illegal gambling; or
D. If any applicant has made any false statement on the application or as to any other information presented as part of the application process; or
E. If the applicant does not have the financial capability and/or business experience to operate a card club; or
F. If the site, and all buildings or structures located, or to be located thereon, upon which the card club is proposed to be conducted, do not meet the requirements of applicable laws relating to such usage.
(Prior code § 4229; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.190. Corporation as licensee.¶
A license may be issued to a corporation, provided that compliance is had with the following:
A. Approval Process. Each corporation shall be required to obtain a license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; and
B. Corporate Officers. No person shall be eligible to serve as a corporate officer, with or without compensation, of a corporate licensee, unless each such person obtains a corporate officer's work permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code § 4222; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.200. License—Expiration.¶
A. Duration. Licenses lawfully issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be and remain valid until either surrendered or revoked pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
B. No Refund of Taxes. In the event of surrender or revocation of a license, no tax, which has been paid or is due but unpaid at the time of such surrender or revocation or any portion thereof, shall be forgiven or refunded.
(Prior code § 4231; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.210. License suspension or revocation.¶
A. General. All licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to suspension and/or revocation in the time and manner set forth in this section.
B. Suspension—Action by Attorney General. The chief shall forthwith suspend any license if the Attorney General of the State certifies to the chief that the Attorney General has suspended or revoked a licensee's registration under the Gaming Registration Act. The chief's order of suspension shall remain in effect so long as the Attorney General's order of suspension is in effect. The chief's order of suspension shall automatically become a final order of revocation at such time as the Attorney General's order of revocation becomes final.
C. Suspension—Other Grounds. If the chief determines that probable cause exists for the revocation of a license for good cause, the chief, after conducting an investigation, shall issue an order of suspension, pursuant to this subsection suspending a license, where he or she finds the facts authorizing such suspension, pursuant to this chapter, to be present. The chief shall give notice to the licensee of the issuance of such order and the basis therefor. Such an order of suspension shall become final on the thirtieth day following its issuance unless a written appeal is filed with the city clerk appealing the chief's order of suspension. Upon an order of suspension issued by the chief becoming final it shall be deemed an order revoking the license to which it relates. An order of suspension issued by the chief shall become a final order of revocation if an appeal is not timely filed, for any reason. No appeal with reference to an order of suspension shall be accepted for filing or processed if it is not timely filed, or if the appealing party fails to pay to the city clerk the filing and processing fees as set by city council resolution prior to or contemporaneously with the timely filing of the appeal. The city council, upon the timely filing of an appeal, shall designate a qualified person to act as the hearing officer, who shall hear the matter de novo, at a duly noticed hearing. The hearing officer shall revoke the license if the hearing officer finds one or more of the grounds set forth in subsection E of this section to be present.
D. Hearings. At the time set for hearing, the hearing officer shall hear the evidence presented by the city purporting to show that grounds exist for revocation. The hearing officer shall permit the licensee, and any other interested person, to present such competent evidence as may be relevant to establish or dispute the existence of any contested fact. The burden of proof shall be upon the city to show the existence of the facts required to justify the revocation.
E. Revocation—Grounds. A license shall be revoked if:
The chief's order of suspension becomes final; or
On appeal, the hearing officer finds:
a. That a licensee, or employee thereof, violated, or permitted, allowed, or caused the violation of, any provision of applicable law or any condition of approval imposed upon the issuance of the license, or
b. That a licensee has made any fraudulent statement as to a material fact on the licensee's application or as to any other information presented as part of the application process, or
c. That a licensee has committed any act which would have constituted grounds for the denial of an application for a license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or
d. That a licensee has failed to pay any applicable annual or gross receipts tax levied, or any filing and processing fee imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
F. Decision of Hearing Officer. If based upon the evidence presented, the hearing officer finds that facts are present which constitute grounds for revocation, the hearing officer shall revoke the license. If the hearing officer finds that such facts are not present, the hearing officer shall dismiss the proceeding. The decision of the hearing officer shall be final and conclusive.
(Prior code § 4264; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.220. Change of site.¶
The site of a card club shall not be changed in whole or in part, nor shall any lot be added to or deleted from, a site without the prior approval of the city council.
(Prior code § 4232; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.230. Filing and processing fees and deposits.¶
A. City Council to Set Filing and Processing Fees and Deposits. The city council, by resolution, shall set, from time to time, the amount to be charged for filing and processing fees and deposits required pursuant to this chapter.
B. Payment of Filing and Processing Fees and Deposits. Each applicant for a license, each person seeking a corporate officer's work permit, or pointholder status and persons filing appeals with regard to decisions relating to any of the same, shall pay to the city, contemporaneously with the filing of such an application or an appeal, as and for a filing and processing fee, the sum set by resolution of the city council.
(Prior code §§ 4223, 4223.5; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.240. Annual taxes.¶
A. Levy of Taxes. Each licensee shall pay annual taxes when due pursuant to this chapter.
B. Due Dates. The annual taxes required pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be paid following the issuance of the license in accordance with a schedule of payment set by order of the city council.
C. Amounts. The total amount of the annual tax per calendar year is fixed at $100,000, which shall be payable in accordance with subsection B of this section.
D. New Licenses. The first payment of annual tax shall be paid contemporaneously with the issuance of the license, but the amount therefor shall be prorated as of the date of issue of the license.
E. Annual Taxes Not Refundable. Annual taxes levied and due pursuant to this section shall not, for any reason, be refunded nor prorated in the event of the cessation of the card club operation to which the tax relates, whether the cessation is voluntary or involuntary.
(Prior code § 4224; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1095 § 1, 1994)
§ 5.28.250. Initial tax.¶
There is imposed an initial tax on each card club to whom a license is issued. The initial tax levied shall be in the amount of $750,000. The initial tax shall be paid as set forth by order of the city council. No license shall be issued until the initial tax is paid or provisions acceptable to the city council are made for securing payment of the initial tax, in accordance with such order.
(Prior code § 4224.5; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1095 § 2, 1994)
§ 5.28.260. Gross revenue license taxes.¶
A. Schedule of Gross Receipts Taxes. In addition to the annual taxes levied by this chapter, each licensee shall pay to the city, monthly, a gross receipts tax based upon the total monthly gross receipts derived from the gaming operation conducted by or for the licensee at the site, in accordance with the following schedule:
| Total Monthly Gross Receipts | Monthly Gross Receipts Tax (The amount of the gross receipts tax shall be based on the stated percentage of total monthly gross receipts set forth below) |
|---|---|
| $200,000.00 or less | 7.0% |
| $200,000.00 but less than $210,000.00 | 7.5% |
| $210,000.00 but less than $220,000.00 | 7.6% |
| $220,000.00 but less than $230,000.00 | 7.7% |
| $230,000.00 but less than $240,000.00 | 7.8% |
| $240,000.00 but less than $250,000.00 | 7.9% |
| $250,000.00 but less than $260,000.00 | 8.0% |
| $260,000.00 but less than $270,000.00 | 8.1% |
| $270,000.00 but less than $280,000.00 | 8.2% |
| $280,000.00 but less than $290,000.00 | 8.3% |
| $290,000.00 but less than $300,000.00 | 8.4% |
| $300,000.00 but less than $310,000.00 | 8.5% |
| $310,000.00 but less than $320,000.00 | 8.6% |
| $320,000.00 but less than $330,000.00 | 8.7% |
| $330,000.00 but less than $340,000.00 | 8.8% |
| $340,000.00 but less than $350,000.00 | 8.9% |
| $350,000.00 but less than $360,000.00 | 9.0% |
| $360,000.00 but less than $370,000.00 | 9.1% |
| $370,000.00 but less than $380,000.00 | 9.2% |
| $380,000.00 but less than $390,000.00 | 9.3% |
| $390,000.00 but less than $400,000.00 | 9.4% |
| $400,000.00 but less than $410,000.00 | 9.5% |
| $410,000.00 but less than $420,000.00 | 9.6% |
| $420,000.00 but less than $430,000.00 | 9.7% |
| $430,000.00 but less than $440,000.00 | 9.8% |
| $440,000.00 but less than $450,000.00 | 9.9% |
| $450,000.00 but less than $460,000.00 | 10.0% |
| $460,000.00 but less than $470,000.00 | 10.1% |
| $470,000.00 but less than $480,000.00 | 10.2% |
| $480,000.00 but less than $490,000.00 | 10.3% |
| $490,000.00 but less than $500,000.00 | 10.4% |
| $500,000.00 but less than $510,000.00 | 10.5% |
| $510,000.00 but less than $520,000.00 | 10.6% |
| $520,000.00 but less than $530,000.00 | 10.7% |
| $530,000.00 but less than $540,000.00 | 10.8% |
| $540,000.00 but less than $550,000.00 | 10.9% |
| $550,000.00 but less than $560,000.00 | 11.0% |
| $560,000.00 but less than $570,000.00 | 11.1% |
| $570,000.00 but less than $580,000.00 | 11.2% |
| $580,000.00 but less than $590,000.00 | 11.3% |
| $590,000.00 but less than $600,000.00 | 11.4% |
| $600,000.00 but less than $610,000.00 | 11.5% |
| $610,000.00 but less than $620,000.00 | 11.6% |
| $620,000.00 but less than $630,000.00 | 11.7% |
| $630,000.00 but less than $640,000.00 | 11.8% |
| $640,000.00 but less than $650,000.00 | 11.9% |
| $650,000.00 but less than $660,000.00 | 12.0% |
| $660,000.00 but less than $670,000.00 | 12.1% |
| $670,000.00 but less than $680,000.00 | 12.2% |
| $680,000.00 but less than $690,000.00 | 12.3% |
| $690,000.00 but less than $700,000.00 | 12.4% |
| $700,000.00 but less than $710,000.00 | 12.5% |
| $710,000.00 but less than $720,000.00 | 12.6% |
| $720,000.00 but less than $730,000.00 | 12.7% |
| $730,000.00 but less than $740,000.00 | 12.8% |
| $740,000.00 but less than $750,000.00 | 12.9% |
| $750,000.00 and over | 13.0% |
B. Statement of Gross Receipts.
Filing. Each licensee shall file with the city on or before the fifteenth day of each calendar month occurring after the issuance of its license, a statement of gross receipts, in a form approved by the CAO. Each statement shall contain the true and correct amount of gross receipts derived from the licensee's gaming operations actually received by the licensee during the immediately preceding calendar month.
Payment of Gross Receipts Tax. Each statement shall be accompanied by the payment of the correct amount of the gross receipts tax due and owing calculated pursuant to the provisions of subsection A of this section, based upon the amount of gross receipts set forth on each such statement. The acceptance of such monthly gross receipts tax by the city, shall be subject to the right of the city to audit the books and records of the licensee to determine whether the figures contained in the statement are accurate. Such audits shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Form of Statement. Each statement shall be made in form prescribed by the CAO, and shall be made under penalty of perjury, by a corporate officer, a general partner or the managing employee of a licensee which certificate or declaration shall be substantially in the following form:
| I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that all of the information and data contained in the foregoing Statement of Gross Receipts is true and correct. Executed at Bell, California, this _______ day of_____, 20____. |
|---|
| ________________________________ (SIGNATURE OF DECLARANT) |
| TYPED NAMED OF DECLARANT |
| TYPED TITLE OF DECLARANT |
C. Audits. Any and all of the books, records and accounts of any licensee may be audited by the city at any time upon demand. Such an audit shall be performed by a qualified person selected by the CAO and approved by the city council. Whenever the CAO has cause to believe that a statement fails to contain accurate or full information relating to gross receipts of a licensee, he or she shall order the conduct of an audit. If as a result of the audit, a determination is made by the CAO based thereon that any one statement is understated by one percent or more, or, if there is evidence of a calculated and intentional intent on the part of the licensee to frustrate or impede the determination of the correct amount of gross receipts, the cost of the audit shall be borne exclusively by the licensee, and the licensee shall pay all costs of such audit upon receipt by licensee of an invoice therefor from city. If, for any reason, the licensee fails to pay the costs of such an audit, the same shall constitute a ground for revocation of the license; in addition, the city shall be entitled to recover from licensee in a civil action the total costs expended for the purpose of such audit(s), together with attorneys' fees reasonably incurred in the collection of the costs of such audit(s).
D. Confidentiality. Any information obtained pursuant to such an audit, and information contained on any statement shall be deemed confidential and shall not be subject to public inspection except as otherwise required by law.
E. City Access to Records. At any time upon demand by the CAO or the chief or their respective designees, the licensee shall make available for inspection and copying all of its books, records and accounts, including, but not limited to, the licensee's state and federal tax returns as filed.
F. Revocation of License. The failure or refusal of any licensee to: make and file a statement when due; and/or pay any tax when due, including penalties and interest; and/or permit access to its books and records, pursuant to subdivision E of this section, shall constitute full and sufficient grounds for revocation of the license of any such licensee.
(Prior code § 4225; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.270. Security deposit for taxes.¶
A. Prior to the issuance of a license, or the effective date of city approval of the transfer of an existing license, the applicant or proposed transferee of such a license, shall make a deposit with the city of a sum in an amount set by order of the city council. The deposit shall serve as a security to insure payment of taxes levied on a licensee pursuant to this chapter.
B. Deposits to be Placed in Interest-Bearing Accounts. The city shall place each deposit in an interest-bearing account in a financial institution selected by the city treasurer.
C. Interest on Deposits. All interest earned on a deposit shall be refunded to the licensee quarterly, unless charges are to be made against such deposit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(Prior code §§ 4225.1—4225.3; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.280. Alternative form of security.¶
If, after a licensee has been operating for 24 consecutive calendar months, the CAO finds that there are no delinquent taxes, penalties and interest due from a licensee, and the licensee has no record of tax delinquency or the filing of incomplete or inaccurate statements of gross receipts, the licensee may provide another form of security, other than a deposit, approved by the CAO as to form and amount, in lieu of a deposit.
(Prior code § 4225.4; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.290. Charges against deposits or other security.¶
If a licensee, for any reason becomes delinquent in the payment of taxes, penalties and interest, the city, not less than 72 hours after the giving of notice to the licensee, shall deduct from the deposit or security an amount equal to the tax delinquencies including penalties and interest thereon.
(Prior code § 4225.5; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
§ 5.28.300. Replenishment of deposit.¶
If at any time the amount of a required deposit or other approved security falls below the amount required to be deposited pursuant to this chapter, the licensee, who made the deposit or security, shall replenish the same within not less than two consecutive working days following the giving of notice thereof by the CAO to the licensee, so as to bring the minimum balance thereof to the level required pursuant to this chapter. A failure to replenish the amount of a deposit or security within the time permitted hereunder shall be deemed to be a failure to pay a tax and shall be grounds for revocation of the license to which such failure relates.
(Prior code § 4225.6; Ord. 1089 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1091 § 1, 1993)
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