(1)Existing law, the Gambling Control Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of various legalized gambling activities and establishments by the California Gambling Control Commission and the investigation and enforcement of those activities and establishments by the Department of Justice. Under existing law, the commission consists of 5 members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Existing law authorizes the Governor to remove any member of the commission for cause, as specified.

This bill would additionally require the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of any member of the commission.

(2)Existing law prohibits a corporation from being eligible for a state gambling license unless its officers, directors, and shareholders individually apply for and obtain a state gambling license. Existing law also requires every key employee to apply for and obtain a key employee license. Existing law requires an officer, director, or key employee of a corporate owner licensee to apply for a license within 30 calendar days after they become an officer, director, or key employee of the corporation and requires the corporation to immediately remove an officer or director who fails to apply for a license within that 30-day period.

This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to these provisions.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: AB 2644

Author: Blanca Rubio (D)

Introduced: 2/20/26

Vote: 21

SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 14-0, 6/23/26

AYES: Rubio, Valladares, Archuleta, Ashby, Blakespear, Cervantes, Dahle, Hurtado, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Richardson, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wahab, Weber Pierson

NO VOTE RECORDED: Alvarado-Gil

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/4/26 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Gambling Control Act

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of any member of the California Gambling Control Commission (Commission).

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Provides, under the Gambling Control Act (Act), for the licensure and regulation of various legalized gambling activities and establishment by the Commission and the investigation and enforcement of those activities and establishments by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
2. Provides that the Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation of the Senate, and requires the Governor to designate one member to serve as chairperson.
3. Requires that the Commission collectively include individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, such as experience in finance or accounting, law with regulatory expertise, law enforcement or criminal investigation, business or government, and representation of the general public.
4. Authorizes the Governor to remove any member of the Commission for incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption upon first giving the member a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard.
5. Requires the Governor to fill any vacancies on the Commission, subject to confirmation by the Senate, within 60 days of the date of the vacancy.
6. Provides that a person is ineligible for appointment to the Commission if, within two years prior to appointment, the person was employed by, retained by, or derived substantial income from, a gambling establishment.

This bill:

1. Requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of a member of the Commission.
2. Makes other technical, nonsubstantive changes.

Background

Author Statement. According to the author’s office, “the bill aims to ensure the prompt enforcement of gambling laws by addressing vacancies and enabling the Commission to operate efficiently. When seats are unfilled, even a single absence or recusal can hinder decision-making, leaving the industry without effective oversight and causing delays. The bill seeks to strengthen enforcement, improve dispute resolution, and expedite licensing.”

Gambling Control Act. The Act provides the Commission with jurisdiction over the operation of gambling establishments in California. The Act requires every owner, lessee, or employee of a gambling establishment to obtain and maintain a valid state gambling license. The Act assigns the Commission the responsibility of assuring that gambling licenses are not issued to, or held by, unqualified or disqualified persons, or by persons whose operations are conducted in a manner that is harmful to the public health, safety, or welfare.

The Act directs the Commission to issue licenses only to those persons of good character, honesty and integrity, whose prior activities, criminal record, if any, reputation, habits and associations do not pose a threat to the public interest of this state. The DOJ conducts background and field investigations and enforces the provisions of the Act in this regard.

California Gambling Control Commission. The Commission is composed of five members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the California State Senate. State law establishes several requirements to ensure professional expertise and political balance on the Commission. For example, no more than three of the five commissioners may belong to the same political party. The statute also requires that the Commission collectively include individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, such as experience in finance or accounting, law with regulatory expertise, law enforcement or criminal investigation, business or government, and representation of the general public.

Current law authorizes the Governor to remove a member of the Commission for incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption upon first giving the member a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard. This bill simply requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of a member of the Commission.

Prior/Related Legislation

SB 1235 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2026) requires the Governor to notify the Senate and Assembly Committees on Governmental Organization of the removal of a member of the Commission. (Pending on the Assembly Floor)

AB 2173 (Wallis, 2026) requires the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Pending on the Senate Floor)

AB 2793 (Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization, 2026) modifies existing law to require that one member of the Commission, among other criteria, to be an attorney with regulatory or gaming law experience. (Pending on the Senate Floor)

SB 864 (Padilla, 2025) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet website no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

SB 1154 (Alvarado-Gil, 2024) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Never Heard in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee)

SB 346 (Ochoa-Bogh, 2023) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Never Heard in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee)

SB 899 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2022) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Held on the Assembly Floor Inactive File)

SB 302 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2021) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

SB 869 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2020) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

SB 286 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2019) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

AB 1827 (Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization, 2019) would have required the Commission to post a public record of each of its votes on its Internet Web site. (Died in the Senate Inactive File)

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/3/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/3/26)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/4/26

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Carrillo, Castillo, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Ward, Wicks, Zbur, Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Arambula, Bennett, Caloza, Chen, Flora, Wallis, Wilson

Prepared by: Felipe Lopez / G.O. / (916) 651-1530

8/6/26 11:36:52

**** END ****

 CONSENT  

Bill No: AB 2644

Author: Blanca Rubio (D)

Introduced: 2/20/26

Vote: 21

SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 14-0, 6/23/26

AYES: Rubio, Valladares, Archuleta, Ashby, Blakespear, Cervantes, Dahle, Hurtado, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Richardson, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wahab, Weber Pierson

NO VOTE RECORDED: Alvarado-Gil

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/4/26 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Gambling Control Act

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of any member of the California Gambling Control Commission (Commission).

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Provides, under the Gambling Control Act (Act), for the licensure and regulation of various legalized gambling activities and establishment by the Commission and the investigation and enforcement of those activities and establishments by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
2. Provides that the Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation of the Senate, and requires the Governor to designate one member to serve as chairperson.
3. Requires that the Commission collectively include individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, such as experience in finance or accounting, law with regulatory expertise, law enforcement or criminal investigation, business or government, and representation of the general public.
4. Authorizes the Governor to remove any member of the Commission for incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption upon first giving the member a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard.
5. Requires the Governor to fill any vacancies on the Commission, subject to confirmation by the Senate, within 60 days of the date of the vacancy.
6. Provides that a person is ineligible for appointment to the Commission if, within two years prior to appointment, the person was employed by, retained by, or derived substantial income from, a gambling establishment.

This bill:

1. Requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of a member of the Commission.
2. Makes other technical, nonsubstantive changes.

Background

Author Statement. According to the author’s office, “the bill aims to ensure the prompt enforcement of gambling laws by addressing vacancies and enabling the Commission to operate efficiently. When seats are unfilled, even a single absence or recusal can hinder decision-making, leaving the industry without effective oversight and causing delays. The bill seeks to strengthen enforcement, improve dispute resolution, and expedite licensing.”

Gambling Control Act. The Act provides the Commission with jurisdiction over the operation of gambling establishments in California. The Act requires every owner, lessee, or employee of a gambling establishment to obtain and maintain a valid state gambling license. The Act assigns the Commission the responsibility of assuring that gambling licenses are not issued to, or held by, unqualified or disqualified persons, or by persons whose operations are conducted in a manner that is harmful to the public health, safety, or welfare.

The Act directs the Commission to issue licenses only to those persons of good character, honesty and integrity, whose prior activities, criminal record, if any, reputation, habits and associations do not pose a threat to the public interest of this state. The DOJ conducts background and field investigations and enforces the provisions of the Act in this regard.

California Gambling Control Commission. The Commission is composed of five members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the California State Senate. State law establishes several requirements to ensure professional expertise and political balance on the Commission. For example, no more than three of the five commissioners may belong to the same political party. The statute also requires that the Commission collectively include individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, such as experience in finance or accounting, law with regulatory expertise, law enforcement or criminal investigation, business or government, and representation of the general public.

Current law authorizes the Governor to remove a member of the Commission for incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption upon first giving the member a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard. This bill simply requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of a member of the Commission.

Prior/Related Legislation

SB 1235 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2026) requires the Governor to notify the Senate and Assembly Committees on Governmental Organization of the removal of a member of the Commission. (Pending on the Assembly Floor)

AB 2173 (Wallis, 2026) requires the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Pending on the Senate Floor)

AB 2793 (Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization, 2026) modifies existing law to require that one member of the Commission, among other criteria, to be an attorney with regulatory or gaming law experience. (Pending on the Senate Floor)

SB 864 (Padilla, 2025) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet website no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

SB 1154 (Alvarado-Gil, 2024) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Never Heard in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee)

SB 346 (Ochoa-Bogh, 2023) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Never Heard in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee)

SB 899 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2022) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Held on the Assembly Floor Inactive File)

SB 302 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2021) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

SB 869 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2020) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

SB 286 (Senate Committee on Governmental Organization, 2019) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

AB 1827 (Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization, 2019) would have required the Commission to post a public record of each of its votes on its Internet Web site. (Died in the Senate Inactive File)

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/3/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/3/26)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/4/26

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Carrillo, Castillo, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Ward, Wicks, Zbur, Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Arambula, Bennett, Caloza, Chen, Flora, Wallis, Wilson

Prepared by: Felipe Lopez / G.O. / (916) 651-1530

8/5/26 15:12:53

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Senator Susan Rubio

Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: Hearing Date: 6/23/2026

SUBJECT:

DIGEST: This bill requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of any member of the California Gambling Control Commission (Commission).

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Provides, under the Gambling Control Act (Act), for the licensure and regulation of various legalized gambling activities and establishment by the Commission and the investigation and enforcement of those activities and establishments by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
2. Provides that the Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation of the Senate, and requires the Governor to designate one member to serve as chairperson.
3. Requires that the Commission collectively include individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, such as experience in finance or accounting, law with regulatory expertise, law enforcement or criminal investigation, business or government, and representation of the general public.
4. Authorizes the Governor to remove any member of the Commission for incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption upon first giving the member a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard.
5. Requires the Governor to fill any vacancies on the Commission, subject to confirmation by the Senate, within 60 days of the date of the vacancy.
6. Provides that a person is ineligible for appointment to the Commission if, within two years prior to appointment, the person was employed by, retained by, or derived substantial income from, a gambling establishment.

This bill:

1. Requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of a member of the Commission.
2. Makes other technical, nonsubstantive changes.

Background

Author Statement. According to the author’s office, “the bill aims to ensure the prompt enforcement of gambling laws by addressing vacancies and enabling the Commission to operate efficiently. When seats are unfilled, even a single absence or recusal can hinder decision-making, leaving the industry without effective oversight and causing delays. The bill seeks to strengthen enforcement, improve dispute resolution, and expedite licensing.”

Gambling Control Act. The Act provides the Commission with jurisdiction over the operation of gambling establishments in California. The Act requires every owner, lessee, or employee of a gambling establishment to obtain and maintain a valid state gambling license. The Act assigns the Commission the responsibility of assuring that gambling licenses are not issued to, or held by, unqualified or disqualified persons, or by persons whose operations are conducted in a manner that is harmful to the public health, safety, or welfare.

The Act directs the Commission to issue licenses only to those persons of good character, honesty and integrity, whose prior activities, criminal record, if any, reputation, habits and associations do not pose a threat to the public interest of this state. The DOJ conducts background and field investigations and enforces the provisions of the Act in this regard.

California Gambling Control Commission. The Commission is composed of five members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the California State Senate. State law establishes several requirements to ensure professional expertise and political balance on the Commission. For example, no more than three of the five commissioners may belong to the same political party. The statute also requires that the Commission collectively include individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, such as experience in finance or accounting, law with regulatory expertise, law enforcement or criminal investigation, business or government, and representation of the general public.

Current law authorizes the Governor to remove a member of the Commission for incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption upon first giving the member a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard. This bill simply requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of a member of the Commission.

Prior/Related Legislation

SB 1235 (G.O., 2026) requires the Governor to notify the Senate and Assembly Committees on Governmental Organization of the removal of a member of the Commission. (Pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee)

AB 2173 (Wallis, 2026) requires the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee)

AB 2793 (G.O., 2026) modifies existing law to require that one member of the Commission, among other criteria, to be an attorney with regulatory or gaming law experience. (Pending in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee)

SB 864 (Padilla, 2025) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet website no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

SB 1154 (Alvarado-Gil, 2024) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Never Heard in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee)

SB 346 (Ochoa-Bogh, 2023) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Never Heard in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee)

SB 899 (Governmental Organization, 2022) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Held on the Assembly Floor Inactive File)

SB 302 (Governmental Organization, 2021) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

SB 869 (Governmental Organization, 2020) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

SB 286 (Governmental Organization, 2019) would have required the Commission to post a public record of every vote on its Internet Web site no later than two business days after the meeting at which the vote was taken. (Gutted and Amended to an Unrelated Issue)

AB 1827 (Governmental Organization, 2019) would have required the Commission to post a public record of each of its votes on its Internet Web site. (Died in the Senate Inactive File)

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT:

None received

OPPOSITION:

None received

Date of Hearing: April 22, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2644

Author:(Blanca Rubio) – As Introduced Ver:February 20, 2026

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Governor to notify the Legislature when the Governor removes a member of the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) for cause.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Negligible costs to the Governor and CGCC.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

The bill aims to ensure the prompt enforcement of gambling laws by addressing vacancies and enabling the CGCC to operate efficiently. When seats are unfilled, even a single absence or recusal can hinder decision-making, leaving the industry without effective oversight and causing delays.

1. CGCC. The CGCC provides for the licensure and regulation of various legalized gambling activities and establishments. The CGCC consists of five members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Existing law allows the Governor to remove a CGCC member for incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption. This bill requires the Governor to notify the Legislature about a removal of a CGCC member under such conditions.
2. Related Legislation. AB 817 (Nguyen) is nearly identical to this bill. AB 817 is pending hearing by the Senate Governmental Organization Committee.

SB 1235 (Committee on Governmental Organization) is nearly identical to this bill. SB 1235 is pending on the Senate Floor’s consent calendar.

Analysis Prepared by: Irene Ho / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 8, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Blanca Rubio, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2644 (

Author:Blanca Rubio) – As Introduced Ver:February 20, 2026

SUBJECT: Gambling Control Act

SUMMARY: This bill would require the Governor to notify the Legislature when the Governor removes a member of the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) for cause. Specifically, this bill:

1) Requires the Governor to notify the Legislature of the removal of any member of the CGCC, as specified.

2) Makes technical, non-substantive, and conforming changes to the Gambling Control Act (Act).

EXISTING LAW:

1) Provides for the licensure and regulation of various legalized gambling activities and establishments by the CGCC and the investigation and enforcement of those activities and establishments by the Department of Justice (DOJ or Bureau of Gambling Control).

2) Provides that the CGCC is composed of five members who are appointed by the Governor, for a term of four years, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Requires each member of the CGCC to be a citizen of the United States and a resident of this state

3) Requires one member of the CGCC to be a certified public accountant or a person with experience in banking or finance, one member to be an attorney and a member of the State Bar or California with regulatory law experience, one member to have a background in law enforcement and criminal investigation, and one member to have a background in business with at least five years of business experience or five years of governmental experience, and one member be from the public.

4) Requires the Governor to fill any vacancies on the CGCC, subject to confirmation by the Senate, within 60 days of the date of the vacancy. Provides that a person is ineligible for appointment if, within two years prior to appointment, the person was employed by, retained by, or derived substantial income from, a gambling establishment.

5) Provides that no more than three of the five members of the CGCC shall be members of the same political party. Prohibits a member of the CGCC from engaging in any other business, vocation, or employment.

6) Authorizes the Governor to remove a member of the CGCC for incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption upon first giving the member a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard.

FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is keyed fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

COMMENTS:

Purpose of the bill. According to the author’s office, “The bill aims to ensure the prompt enforcement of gambling laws by addressing vacancies and enabling the CGCC to operate efficiently. When seats are unfilled, even a single absence or recusal can hinder decision-making, leaving the industry without effective oversight and causing delays. The bill seeks to strengthen enforcement, improve dispute resolution, and expedite licensing.”

Background.

Prior to 1998, California's gambling industry was essentially unregulated. In 1984, the Legislature enacted the "Gaming Registration Act," which required the Attorney General's office to provide uniform, minimum regulation of California card rooms. However, the scope of the Attorney General's authority was extremely limited, and funding was inadequate. Recognizing the need for broader oversight of California's gambling industry, the Legislature enacted the "Gambling Control Act” in 1997.

The Act provides CGCC with jurisdiction over the operation of gambling establishments in California. The Act requires every owner, lessee, or employee of a gambling establishment to obtain and maintain a valid state gambling license and assigns CGCC the responsibility of assuring that gambling licenses are not issued to, or held by, unqualified or disqualified persons, or by persons whose operations are conducted in a manner that is harmful to the public health, safety, or welfare.

The Governor appoints the members of the CGCC, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and shall designate one member to serve as chairperson. Vacancies shall be filled within 60 days of the date of the vacancy by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The Governor may remove any member of the CGCC for incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption upon first giving him or her a copy of the charges and an opportunity to be heard.

The Act directs CGCC to issue licenses only to those persons of good character, honesty and integrity, whose prior activities, criminal record, if any; reputation, habits and associations do not pose a threat to the public interest of this state. The Bureau, within DOJ, conducts background and field investigations and enforces the provisions of the Act in this regard. There are approximately 86 cardrooms currently licensed by the CGCC.

The CGCC, pursuant to the Compacts, the Act, the Governor's Executive Order D-31-01 and Governor's Executive Order D-66-03, has various fiduciary, regulatory and administrative responsibilities related to Tribal gaming and the distribution of revenues to eligible Indian Tribes. The State of California has signed and ratified tribal-state Class III gaming compacts that are currently in effect with 66 Tribes. There are currently 65 casinos operated by 62 Tribes. Of the 62 Tribes, 50 have tribal-state compacts and 12 have Secretarial Procedures.

Related legislation. AB 2793 (Governmental Organization) of 2026. This bill would modify existing law to require that one member of the CGCC, among other criteria, to be an attorney with regulatory or gaming law experience. (Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization)

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Eric Johnson / G.O. / (916) 319-2531