Item 7.1
Gaming Operations: Amend Chula Vista Municipal Code
Chapter 5.20 “Gambling” Incorporating Chula Vista
Gaming Plan Provisions in Accordance with State Law
Item 8.1 | Gaming Ordinance Amendments
Background
Gambling Ordinance - CVMC 5.20, 1970s
• Regulated cardroom operations through 1996
Gaming Plan, 1996
• Creating a structure under the City code where future changes to gaming operations would be adopted by resolution.
Gambling and Control Act, 1997
• Created the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) and the Bureau of Gambling Control (Bureau).
• Together these entities:
⚬ set policy
⚬ establish regulations
⚬ make determinations of suitability for gaming employees ⚬ issue licenses
⚬ conduct criminal background investigations and audits • Established a moratorium on the expansion of cardrooms and the issuance of new state gambling licenses.
Gaming in Chula Vista
Ordinance Gaming Plan
• Licensing including number
of permitted and transferability.
• The City’s pre-1996, ordinance
allowed for one license per
40,000 residents.
• In 1996, the total number of
licenses was four (4) licenses.
• Each City license is tied to a
maximum number of tables.
Item 8.1 | Gaming Ordinance Amendments
• Cardroom License
Application/Issuance
Procedures
• License Consolidation
• Operating Limitations and
Conditions
⚬ Hours/Days of Operation
⚬ Work Permits
⚬ Patron Safety
⚬ Crime Reporting
Requirements
• Enforcement
• No new gaming activities or licenses are being proposed. Existing operations at the existing cardroom remain unchanged.
CVMC 5.20 Amendments
CVMC
Chapter 5.20.001
Establishes the
Gaming Plan to be
adopted by ordinance.
CVMC
Chapter 5.20.035 &
5.20.160
Changes create
consistency, remove
old table counts, and
establish the four (4)
licenses, as two sets
of consolidated
licenses, together with
the increases as
approved, would
create a City table cap
of 40 tables.
CVMC
Chapter 5.20.002 &
5.20.006
Repeal these sections
referencing a
Gaming Plan.
Readoption of the
Gaming Plan as an
appendix to
Chapter 5.20.
Item 8.1 | Gaming Ordinance Amendments
Gaming Plan Amendments
Section 2.7
License Fee
Replaces Fees
section with the
Operating Agreement
which outlines the
timing and fees to be
paid to the City by
cardroom
operator(s).
Section 3.3
Game Rules
Removed reference
to a generic name
that was
inconsistent with
California Code of
Regulations.
Section 3.9
Work Permits, I.D.
Badges, etc.
Removing reference
to Third Party
Proposition
Player Services
employees
to eliminate
confusion with
cardroom
employees.
Item 8.1 | Gaming Ordinance Amendments
Item 8.1 | Gaming Ordinance Amendments
TODAY
First Reading
AUGUST 11, 2026
Second Reading
AUGUST 2026
Submit new ordinance to
Bureau for final approval.
Ongoing
Subsequent changes to the
Gaming Plan will be done solely
through ordinance.
Next Steps
Place an ordinance on first reading amending Chula Vista Municipal Code Chapter 5.20 “Gambling” incorporating the Chula Vista Gaming Plan as an appendix in accordance with State law.
Item 8.1 | Gaming Ordinance Amendments
Recommended Action: