Gaming Regulation

Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley provides comprehensive legal representation to California cities, counties, and licensed card rooms and their investors in the complex and evolving field of gaming regulation. Our attorneys bring deep expertise in municipal law and gaming regulations to navigate this intricate legal landscape.

Services to Cities and Counties

We assist California cities and counties in establishing and maintaining effective regulatory frameworks for licensed card room operations. Our services include:

Regulatory Development and Implementation

  • Drafting and amending general plan amendments to accommodate licensed card room operations
  • Drafting and updating zoning ordinances to regulate card room facilities and operations
  • Developing comprehensive land use and regulatory ordinances to balance community interests with gaming industry needs
  • Ensuring compliance with state gaming laws while protecting municipal authority

Administrative and Regulatory Representation

  • Appearances before the California Gambling Control Commission on behalf of municipal clients
  • Representation before the California Bureau of Gambling Control in licensing and regulatory proceedings
  • Advocacy for municipal interests in state-level gaming policy development

Revenue Protection and Collection

  • Representation in bankruptcy and other courts to defend and recover municipal revenues owed by card clubs
  • Enforcement of municipal revenue agreements and gaming-related obligations

Services to Licensed Card Rooms and Investors

We provide strategic legal counsel to licensed card rooms and their investors in gaming operations and regulatory compliance, including:

Dispute Resolution and Litigation

  • Litigation and alternative dispute resolution for conflicts among licensed card room operators and their investors
  • Defense against litigation brought under California’s SB 549, which allowed gaming tribes’ to challenge card rooms’ rights to offer certain games
  • Commercial litigation related to gaming operations and investment agreements

Regulatory Advocacy and Compliance

  • Representation before the California Gambling Control Commission in licensing proceedings and regulatory disputes
  • Advocacy before the Bureau of Gambling Control on operational and compliance matters
  • Challenge Commission regulations affecting licensed card rooms before the Commission and in court

Strategic Counsel

  • Guidance on compliance with evolving state and local gaming regulations
  • Counsel on operational matters affecting gaming licenses and municipal permits
  • Advisory services on investment structures and operational agreements

Our gaming law practice combines our firm’s extensive municipal law experience with specialized knowledge of California’s gaming regulatory framework. We understand the unique challenges facing both municipal governments seeking to regulate gaming within their communities and card room operators navigating complex state and local requirements. This dual perspective enables us to provide practical, effective representation that protects our clients’ interests while ensuring compliance with California’s comprehensive gaming laws.

For more information about our expertise, select a practice area of interest: