Dunsmuir Municipal Code Ch. 5.12 Cardrooms

For the purposes of this chapter, a "cardroom" is defined to be any space, room or enclosure furnished or equipped with a table used or intended to be used as a card table for the playing of cards and similar games, and the use of which is available to the public, or any portion of the public; provided, that this section shall not apply to any bona fide, nonprofit society, club, fraternal or other organization.

(Prior code § 5-1; Ord. No. 549, § 1, 7-30-2015)

No person, for himself or for any other person, shall engage in or carry on, or maintain or conduct or cause to be engaged in, carried on, maintained, or conducted, any cardroom in the city, without first having secured a license from the city to do so, or without complying with every regulation pertaining to such cardroom.

(Prior code § 5-2; Ord. No. 549, § 1, 7-30-2015)

Cross reference— As to licenses generally, see Ch. 5.04 of this code.

The application for a cardroom license shall be made to the city council on forms approved by the council and furnished by the city clerk. The city council shall request the chief of police to make a criminal record check, which the chief of police shall keep confidential. If the applicant has within the previous five years been convicted of a crime of violence or theft or fraud arising out of a card game, the chief of police shall notify the council that he recommends against granting the license. In that event, the license shall not be granted. Otherwise, the license shall be granted.

(Prior code § 5-3; Ord. No. 549, § 1, 7-30-2015)

Each applicant for a cardroom license shall pay a general license fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) per year for each table operated in such cardroom, payable quarterly in advance.

(Prior code § 5-4; Ord. No. 549, § 1, 7-30-2015)

A. The chief of police shall have the authority to suspend any license issued under this chapter for a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any sections contained in Chapters 9 and 10 of Title 9 (Sections 319 and 337s) of the Penal Code of the State, and to take possession of such license pending a hearing on revocation before the city council.

B. Such suspension shall be reported to the mayor within twenty-four (24) hours thereafter with a statement of the reasons therefor. The mayor shall report the matter to the city council which may cancel the license after a hearing given to the holder of the suspended license and after an opportunity to present evidence and witnesses on his behalf, and no license shall be revoked except on a preponderance of evidence presented at such hearing showing a violation of this section.

C. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter, in addition to any penalty imposed for such violation, shall be reported to the city council which may cancel the cardroom license held by such person, after hearing as provided in this chapter.

(Prior code § 5-5; Ord. 497 § 8, 1995; Ord. No. 549, § 1, 7-30-2015)

A. A nonprofit society, club, fraternal or other organization having adopted bylaws and duly elected directors and members may be granted a cardroom license without fee by a resolution of the city council, when it appears that the tables are for the exclusive use of members of the society, club, fraternal or other organization, and no charge is made for any of the facilities.

B. The license issued pursuant to this section may be revoked, canceled, temporarily suspended or withdrawn by the city council and the decision of the city council shall be final.

C. Any society, club, fraternal or other organization to whom a license shall have been issued pursuant to this section shall be open to any duly authorized member of the police department for reasonable inspection.

D. Except for the provisions of Section 5.12.090, any society, club, fraternal or other organization to whom a permit shall have been issued pursuant to this section shall not be required to comply with this chapter; provided, that the operation is for the use of members only, and if the general public is permitted to participate upon special occasions or drives that the proceeds derived therefrom are used for charitable purposes or the general purposes for which the organization is created.

(Prior code § 5-6; Ord. No. 549, § 1, 7-30-2015)

Any person in charge of a cardroom or any agent or employee acting for or in behalf of any person having a cardroom license, shall be at least twenty-one (21) years old and registered with the police department, and such person, agent or employee shall comply with such regulations or requirements as may be established by the police department.

(Prior code § 5-7; Ord. No. 549, § 1, 7-30-2015)

No person shall operate a cardroom in violation of any of the following regulations and rules:

A. Not more than one cardroom shall be located at any one address.

B. Not more than seven card tables shall be permitted in any cardroom; provided, that the city council may on the recommendation of the chief of police grant permission to operate card tables in excess of seven.

C. No minor shall be permitted to play at any card table or to participate in any game played thereat.

D. All cardrooms shall be open to police inspection during all hours of operation.

(Prior code § 5-8; Ord. No. 549, § 1, 7-30-2015)

Cross reference— As to curfew for minors, see Ch. 9.12 of this code.

The city council declares that it is not the intention of this chapter to license any cardroom for the playing of any game prohibited by the laws of this state and particularly those games enumerated in Section 330 of the Penal Code of the state.

(Prior code § 5-9; Ord. No. 549, § 1, 7-30-2015)