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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 8Ch. 5Art. 4§ 19852 Gambling Enterprise License Requirements

§ 19852 Gambling Enterprise License Requirements

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

§ 19852 Gambling Enterprise License Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •If a company wants to run a gambling business, almost everyone involved must have a special license from the state.
  • •This includes bosses, owners, partners, and even people who lend money to the company if they have a big say in how things run.
  • •Big public companies that deal with horse racing have some exceptions, but most people in charge still need a license.
  • •The rules are strict to make sure gambling is run fairly and safely.

Example

A group of friends wants to open a casino together.

Each friend who owns part of the casino, manages it, or even lends money to it must get their own gambling license. If one friend doesn’t get a license, the casino can’t open.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 19852 Gambling Enterprise License Requirements

Except as provided in Section 19852.2, an owner of a gambling enterprise that is not a natural person shall not be eligible for a state gambling license unless each of the following persons individually holds a state gambling license: (a) If the owner is a corporation, then each officer, director, and shareholder, other than a holding or intermediary company, of the owner. The foregoing does not apply to an owner that is either a publicly traded racing association or a qualified racing association. (b) If the owner is a publicly traded racing association, then each officer, director, and owner, other than an institutional investor, of 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares of the publicly traded corporation. (c) If the owner is a qualified racing association, then each officer, director, and shareholder, other than an institutional investor, of the subsidiary corporation and any owner, other than an institutional investor, of 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares of the publicly traded corporation. (d) If the owner is a partnership, then every general and limited partner of, and every trustee or person, other than a holding or intermediary company, having or acquiring a direct or beneficial interest in, that partnership owner. (e) If the owner is a trust, then the trustee and, in the discretion of the commission, any beneficiary and the trustor of the trust. (f) If the owner is a limited liability company, every officer, manager, member, or owner. (g) If the owner is a business organization other than a corporation, partnership, trust, or limited liability company, then all those persons as the commission may require, consistent with this chapter. (h) Each person who receives, or is to receive, any percentage share of the revenue earned by the owner from gambling activities. (i) Every employee, agent, guardian, personal representative, lender, or holder of indebtedness of the owner who, in the judgment of the commission, has the power to exercise a significant influence over the gambling operation. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 302, Sec. 2. (AB 1271) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

gambling enterprisestate gambling licensepublicly traded racing associationqualified racing association

Related Statutes

  • § 19854 Key Employee Licensing Requirements
  • § 19863 One Gaming Establishment Limit
  • § 19850 Gambling License Requirements
  • § 19858 Gambling License Financial Conflicts
  • § 19858.5 Gambling License Suitability Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 19852.
View Official Source