DATE: JUNE 2, 2026
DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
FROM: RENÉ MENDEZ, CITY MANAGER
CHRISTOPHER A. CALLIHAN, CITY ATTORNEY
TITLE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 5-05.16 AND 5-05.17 OF THE SALINAS MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW FOR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF GAMBLING TABLES OPERATED WITHIN A LICENSED CARD ROOM RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Consider adopting an ordinance amending Salinas Municipal Code sections 5-05.16 and 5-05.017 to allow for an increase in the number of gambling tables operated within a licensed card room.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Bankers Casino, the only cardroom currently operating within the city, has requested an amendment to the City’s cardroom ordinance to allow for an increase in the maximum number of gambling tables as authorized by a recent change in State law.
BACKGROUND:
Salinas Municipal Code section 5-06.16 limits the maximum number of allowable gambling tables per cardroom to eleven (11). Effective January 1, 2024, the California State Legislature enacted Section 19961.07 of the California Business and Professions Code through Assembly Bill 341 (AB 341). AB 341 authorizes local jurisdictions to amend an ordinance that applies only to cardrooms that operate fewer than twenty (20) tables. These cardrooms may increase their maximum number of tables by up to ten (10) additional tables above the number of tables operated by the cardroom on January 1, 2023, but only by up to two (2) tables in the first year after the ordinance takes effect and by up to two additional tables every four years thereafter.
The proposed ordinance presented for the City Council’s consideration applies to Bankers Casino as it currently operates only eleven (11) gambling tables and, if adopted, would provide for an expansion of allowable tables by two additional tables the first year following enactment (2026) and by up to two additional tables every four years thereafter, not to exceed ten additional tables above the number operated at the establishment on January 1, 2023. Ultimately, the proposed ordinance would provide for a total of twenty-one gambling tables.
California Business and Professions Code section 19961.1 requires that any amendment to a City ordinance related to gambling establishments be submitted to the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control (“Bureau”) for approval prior to adoption. The proposed ordinance was submitted to the Bureau and in a letter dated May 11, 2026, the Bureau approved the proposed ordinance to move forward to the City Council for consideration. A copy of the Bureau’s letter is attached to this Report.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Adoption of the proposed ordinance would be consistent with the City Council’s goal of supporting and engaging an established business to improve economic growth and job creation. (City of Salinas Strategic Plan 2025-2025, Goal 1.) DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and Police Department coordinated on this Report and proposed ordinance.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The City levies an annual Card Room Permit fee of $7,382.50 (adjusted annually), as well as an annual per-table monitoring fee of $1,000 per table. Increasing the allowed maximum gambling tables will result in increased revenues.
Additionally, amending the Municipal Code as set out in the proposed ordinance would allow for mor gambling tables which presents an opportunity for cardrooms to experience growth and provide job creation within the city. The City will also benefit from increased revenues and economic activity as a result of the increase in the number of gambling tables.
Fund
General Ledger Number
(Operating/CIP)
General Ledger Account Name
Remaining Budget Appropriation
Amount Requested
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposed Ordinance
Letter from Bureau of Gambling Control dated May 11, 2026 Page | 3
Page | 1
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