Poker Craze in California Aaron Wong Special Agent Supervisor Division of Gambling Control CA DOJ (916)

Gambling in California Authorized by Penal Code Sections 330 and 337j Authorized by Penal Code Sections 330 and 337j 330 P.C. restricts certain type of gambling 330 P.C. restricts certain type of gambling 337j P.C. allows controlled games at licensed facilities 337j P.C. allows controlled games at licensed facilities 337j (e)(2)(D) P.C. exception for home games 337j (e)(2)(D) P.C. exception for home games Currently 94 licensed cardrooms Currently 94 licensed cardrooms 55 Tribal casinos where poker is considered as Class II and regulated by NIGC 55 Tribal casinos where poker is considered as Class II and regulated by NIGC

Poker’s Rebirth World Series of Poker World Series of Poker World Poker Tour World Poker Tour

Poker’s Rebirth Celebrity Poker Tournaments Celebrity Poker Tournaments Chance for $1 to $7 Million Cash Prize Chance for $1 to $7 Million Cash Prize Instant Stardom with Little Investment Instant Stardom with Little Investment Just be Able to Say “I’m All In!” Just be Able to Say “I’m All In!”

Illegal Gambling Sites Bars, Pool Halls Bars, Pool Halls Churches, Bingo Halls Churches, Bingo Halls Schools, PTA’s Schools, PTA’s Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Police Associations Police Associations Any Other Charities Any Other Charities Private Residences Private Residences

Other Illegal Gambling Activities Casino Nights Casino Nights Monte Carlo Nights Monte Carlo Nights Sober Grad Nights Sober Grad Nights Gaming Devices (Slot Machines) Gaming Devices (Slot Machines) Bookmaking Bookmaking Pool Selling Pool Selling Illegal Lotto and Lottery Illegal Lotto and Lottery

Remedy Strict Enforcement of the Law Strict Enforcement of the Law Ignore the Illegal Gambling Activities Ignore the Illegal Gambling Activities Change Law to Allow for Charities to Conduct Casino Night Events Using Bingo Administrative Format (AB 839 – Torrico) Change Law to Allow for Charities to Conduct Casino Night Events Using Bingo Administrative Format (AB 839 – Torrico) No Exception for Non-Charity Groups No Exception for Non-Charity Groups