Woodlake Municipal Code Ch. 5.12 Card Rooms

For the purposes of this chapter the term "public card room" shall be construed to mean any building, business establishment, tent, trailer or place open to the public where any game of skill or chance played with cards is dealt, played, carried on or at which persons are permitted to play or do play any game played with cards.

(Ord. 454 § 1, 1990)

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to conduct, manage, operate or carry on a public card room in the city unless such person, firm or corporation shall be the holder of a conditional use permit.

(Ord. 454 § 2, 1990)

Any person, firm or corporation desiring to conduct, manage, operate or carry on a public card room shall apply to the police department for approval. Once the conditional use permit is approved the finance department of the city shall issue a license to operate such public card room, if all other necessary conditions pursuant to the Municipal Code are met. Each card room shall be assigned a separate license, and the card room may not be moved or the license transferred to a new location without the approval of the city council.

(Ord. 536 (part), 1999: Ord. 454 § 3, 1990)

The license fee for the operation of a public card room shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the city council.

(Ord. 454 § 4, 1990)

A. Conformance with State Law. It is the stated purpose of Chapters 5.12 and 5.16 to regulate card rooms, licenses and permits in the city concurrently with the state, and to impose local controls and conditions upon establishments operating card rooms and card tables as permitted in the "Gambling Control Act" as codified in Division 8, Chapter 5 of the California Business and Professions Code.

B. Hours of Operation. Playing at all card tables shall absolutely cease and terminate at two a.m. of each day; and it is declared to be unlawful for any person to deal, participate in, play, carry on or bet at, against, rent, open up, carry on, conduct or have charge of or to control any card room in the city between the hours of two a.m. and eight a.m. of each day.

C. Patron Security and Safety. All licensees shall have in effect a security plan to address the safety and security of patrons in and around the cardroom. The plan, and any amendments thereto, must be filed with and approved by the chief of police. The licensee shall be liable for the security and safety of its patrons to the extent required by law. Any information about security measures that is provided to the city by a licensee shall be confidential and not open to public inspection. The physical arrangements of the gambling area and parking lots of the licensee shall meet the requirements and specifications determined necessary by the chief of police for the security and safety of citizens, patrons, and police officers. During all hours of operation the outside doors to the card rooms and the main doors to establishments wherein the card rooms are located must be unlocked and accessible to the general public. Any part and all of the establishment where a card room is operated shall be open to police inspection during all hours of operation.

D. Wagering Limits. Unless otherwise authorized by the chief of police based upon a finding of necessity because of the rules relating to a particular game, a maximum of ten hands may be dealt at any one table. The maximum number of persons who may participate in play at a table may be limited by the licensee consistent with the provisions of this chapter, provided that in any event, the number of persons present in any establishment or room shall not exceed the occupant load as otherwise prescribed by law. There shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the establishment premises the minimum buy-in and wagering limits. Not later than July 1st of each calendar year, the licensee shall execute under penalty of perjury and file with the chief of police a declaration stating the following: (1) the minimum buy-in, table and wagering limits and any and all charges or other fees assessed of all players at a table; and (2) a set of the then current posted detailed house rules applicable to the games played. All table and wagering limits shall be fixed by the licensee in its discretion, shall be posted as required in this subsection, and shall comply with all state laws and all ordinances of the city.

E. Number of Gambling Tables. Not more than two card tables shall be located at each card room. Not more than four tables total shall be located in the city, and not more than two card rooms operating such tables shall be located in the city.

F. Location. No license shall be issued except for a location deemed suitable by the city council.

(Ord. 536 (part), 1999: Ord. 454 § 5, 1990)

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, including licensees hereunder, to suffer or permit any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years to remain in, or loitering in or about any premises in which there is a licensed public card room.

(Ord. 548 § 1, 2003: Ord. 454 § 6, 1990)

Any public card room license shall terminate forever when and if such public card room is closed for a period in excess of sixty (60) days.

(Ord. 454 § 7, 1990)

A violation of this chapter is not punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor, a violation of this chapter is punishable only by an administrative fine. Any person who violates any provisions of any ordinance enacted by the city, as amended from time to time, or any person who owns property upon which a violation exists, irrespective of whether that person caused the violation, shall be subject to an administrative fine or penalty up to the maximum amounts set forth by Woodlake Municipal Code Chapter 1.12.070.

Persons cited for violating this chapter may request an administrative appeal hearing as permitted by Woodlake Municipal Code Chapter 1.12.110.

(Ord. 454 § 9, 1990)

(Ord. No. 641, § 2, 11-8-2021)