Gambling Control Act: licenses.

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. Existing law requires the commission to deny a license to an applicant for specified reasons, including if the applicant has been convicted of a felony, except as specified. Existing law prohibits the commission from issuing a license unless the commission is satisfied that the applicant meets various requirements, including that the applicant is a person of good character, honesty, and integrity. Existing law defines "applicant" as any person who has applied for, or is about to apply for, a state gambling license, or other licenses, permits, or approvals, as specified. This bill would add additional exceptions to the requirement that the commission deny a license to an applicant for a felony conviction for certain circumstances, including, among others, that the person has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation, been granted clemency or a pardon, or had the felony conviction dismissed, as specified. The bill would prohibit the commission from denying a license to an applicant on the basis of a conviction of a crime, or on the acts underlying that crime, if the person has obtained a certificate of rehabilitation, been granted clemency or a pardon, or had the conviction dismissed, as specified. The bill would provide a definition of "conviction" for those purposes.