LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 8Ch. 5Art. 4§ 19850 Gambling License Requirements

§ 19850 Gambling License Requirements

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 19850 Gambling License Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •If you run or work at a place where people play controlled games (like certain card games or gambling machines), you need a special license from the state.
  • •This includes owners, workers, or anyone who gets paid from the game, even if it's just a share of the money.
  • •If you don't get the right license, you can get in big trouble, like fines or even jail time.

Example

If you open a poker room where people pay to play, and you take a cut of the money.

You must get a gambling license from the state. If you don’t, you could be breaking the law and might have to pay fines or go to jail.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 19850 Gambling License Requirements

Every person who, either as owner, lessee, or employee, whether for hire or not, either solely or in conjunction with others, deals, operates, carries on, conducts, maintains, or exposes for play any controlled game in this state, or who receives, directly or indirectly, 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, shall apply for and obtain from the commission, and shall thereafter maintain, a valid state gambling license, key employee license, or work permit, as specified in this chapter. In any criminal prosecution for violation of this section, the punishment shall be as provided in Section 337j of the Penal Code. (Added by renumbering Section 19840 by Stats. 2002, Ch. 738, Sec. 35. Effective January 1, 2003.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

controlled gamestate gambling licensekey employee licensework permitSection 337j of the Penal Code

Related Statutes

  • § 19854 Key Employee Licensing Requirements
  • § 19852 Gambling Enterprise License Requirements
  • § 19858 Gambling License Financial Conflicts
  • § 19858.5 Gambling License Suitability Rules
  • § 19876.5 Work Permit Renewal Extension

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 19850.
View Official Source