Gambling Control Act.

(1) The Gambling Control Act provides for the licensure of certain individuals and establishments involved in various gambling activities, and for the regulation of those activities, by the California Gambling Control Commission. Existing law provides for the enforcement of those activities by the Department of Justice. Existing law permits the commission to adopt regulations related to the operation of a gambling establishment, as provided. This bill would provide that jackpot funds, to which players have made contributions, are held for the benefit of the players and are not the property of the gambling establishment. (2) Existing law requires the department to approve the play of any controlled game, including, but not limited to, placing restrictions and limitations on how a controlled game is played. This bill would provide that a gambling establishment that conducts play of a controlled game that has been approved by the department, but is later found to be unlawful, has an absolute defense to any criminal, administrative, or civil action, so long as the game was being played in the manner approved and during the time for which it was approved.