Gambling Control Act: licenses.

Existing law, the Gambling Control Act, establishes the California Gambling Control Commission, which is responsible for licensing and regulating various gambling activities and establishments. Under the act, the Department of Justice is responsible for investigating any violations of, and enforcing, the act. Existing law requires a person who deals, operates, carries on, conducts, maintains, or exposes for play any controlled game in this state, or who receives any compensation or reward, or any percentage or share of the money or property played, for keeping, running, or carrying on any controlled game in this state, to apply for and obtain a valid state gambling license, key employee license, or work permit. Existing law provides that an owner of a gambling enterprise is known as the owner-licensee. Under existing law, other persons who also obtain a state gambling license do not receive a separate license certificate, but instead the license of those persons are endorsed on the license certificate that is issued to the owner-licensee. Under existing law, a key employee license entitles the holder to work as a key employee in any key employee position at any gambling establishment, provided that the key employee terminates employment with one gambling establishment before commencing work for another. Existing law also authorizes a key employee with a valid personal portable license to work as a key employee in any key employee position in more than one gambling establishment and requires the commission to establish a program for portable personal licenses for key employees. This bill would repeal those provisions relating to key employees working at different gambling establishments, would authorize the commission to adopt regulations to waive any application requirement for an applicant who already possesses a license in good standing, and would require the commission to adopt regulations, as specified, implementing a new owner license that allows for a person or entity to be endorsed on the license certificate of multiple gambling enterprises. Existing law requires a license issued by the commission to be renewed biennially. Under this bill, a license would be valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issuance. Under existing law, the purported sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, or other disposition of any security issued by a corporation that holds a gambling license is void unless approved in advance by the commission. Under existing law, a person who willfully violates any provision of the Gambling Control Act for which a penalty is not expressly provided is guilty of a misdemeanor. This bill would expand this prohibition to a membership interest of a limited liability company or ownership interest of a partnership or sole proprietor that holds a gambling license. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law prohibits a person to be employed as a gambling enterprise employee, or serve as an independent agent, unless the person is a holder of a work permit issued as specified. This bill would authorize a person with a work permit issued by the commission to act as a gambling enterprise employee, or serve as an independent agent, and entitle the holder of the work permit to work for any gambling enterprise for which the commission issues work permits as a gambling enterprise employee after proper notification to the department. The bill would make other conforming changes. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.