California Gambling Laws & Legal Age to Gamble (2024)

California boasts a rich and diverse land-based gambling industry, which is both a blessing and a curse for the state's gambling enthusiasts.

On the one hand, they have access to 60+ card rooms and 60+ tribal casinos, plus racetracks, and state lottery products. On the other hand, there are many conflicts of interest preventing local businesses from forming a unified front that could lobby for favorable legislation and allow the industry to expand.

At the center of the conflict are the state's tribal casinos and cardrooms. The tribal operators have exclusivity on class III casino gaming, such as slots and blackjack, and are against any expansion of gambling that might include the commercial cardrooms. As it stands, the cardrooms are allowed to offer pari-mutuel betting and non-banked games (where the venue does not act as the "house") like poker.

Most laws related to gambling can be found in California Penal Code 330 et seq; Bus and Prof Code 19400 et seq., and Gov't Code 98001 et seq. The minimum gambling age is 18, but most casinos don’t accept customers who are younger than 21 to comply with local alcohol licensing laws.

Is Gambling Online Illegal in California?

The only type of online gambling that is legally licensed in California is advanced-deposit horse race betting at selected sites.

For other types of online gambling games, the only option for Californians is to play at offshore sites. But what's the risk?

In most cases, participating in an illegal game of chance would be considered a misdemeanor, although the state has no interest in prosecuting individual players for gambling online in the privacy of their own homes.

The California Code does not mention online gambling specifically. However, the state has taken legal action against one tribal operator, the Iipay Nation, for attempting to offer online gambling to state residents from its reservation northeast of San Diego, more of which later.

According to California Penal Code Sec. 330, “every person who plays or bets at or against any (…) prohibited games, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punishable by a fine not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment.”

Some casino games are listed as prohibited, but this status can be applied to “any banking or percentage game played with cards, dice, or any device, for money, checks, credit, or other representative of value.” The “any device” part is crucial here – in theory, this could allow the local authorities to punish an individual player for using an offshore gambling site, such as Bovada or BetOnline.

Ultimately, though, most experts agree that Californians are free to enjoy their favorite online gambling sites with impunity in the privacy of their own homes.

Political Gambling

With the population of a medium-sized country, California has the potential to be the biggest regulated online gambling market in the US and one of the biggest in the world. But as a result of division and impasse between the tribal casinos and cardrooms, it doesn’t have a regulated online gambling market in the same vein as New Jersey or Nevada.

What’s more, the Golden State isn’t likely to pass any iGaming legislation anytime soon. Politicians like Asm. Lloyd Levine, Sen. Roderick Wright, Sen. Lou Correa, Asm. Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Asm. Mike Gatto, Asm. Adam Gray, and Sen. Isadore Hall have attempted to legalize internet poker sixteen times since 2008, but each of those pushes has failed.

California sports betting bills have shared the same fate. The problem is that without consensus among the state's disparate gambling industry stakeholders, it's almost impossible to pass legislation related to gambling expansion.

California's gambling operators are major regional employers and contributors to the economy, whose interests carry weight in the legislature. As gambling expansion is a fiscal matter, any such legislation needs a two-thirds majority vote in the legislature to pass. Without agreement, there can be no progress.

Largely, the goal for the tribes is to protect the lucrative status quo: their monopoly on land-based casino gaming. They're mistrustful of online gambling and sports betting because it's not clear whether they would be permitted to offer these games statewide. Under federal law, they're permitted to offer gambling on their reservations only, and it's not clear whether statewide online gaming would be permissible.

As such, the tribes favor a restricted, on-reservation-only mobile sports betting market that would exclude the cardrooms.

California Games

Tribal operators have long railed against the so-called "California Games" offered by the cardrooms, claiming these infringe on their gaming exclusivity. But what exactly are California Games?

These are the cardrooms' own version of popular casino table games, like blackjack and Pai Gow poker. But there's a twist. To get around the ban on house banked games, which are the tribes' domain, they take a rake from each hand, while allowing players in the game to play in a rotating dealer position, just like in a poker game.

They also employ third-party “shills” licensed by the state to act as the dealer in situations where players do not wish to.

In various lawsuits, the tribes have claimed these games are too close to class III gaming for comfort, arguing that the shills are essentially acting as the house, or that some card clubs completely skirt the rules by essentially offer casino-style gaming. The issue remains a sore point for the tribes.

Iipay Nation Ruling

In 2014, exasperated by California’s failed attempts to legalize online poker and reeling from the closure of their land-based casino, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel decided to go it alone. The tribe launched a bingo site from its sovereign reservation northeast of San Diego, and later planned an online poker site for Californians.

The tribe's argument was that since the operation's computer servers were based on sovereign land, that's where the bets were being processed. The tribe has the right to offer class II gaming (such as bingo and poker) on its land under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) without permission from the state.

The State of California and the federal government quickly sued the tribe, and the bingo site was taken offline pending the resolution of the litigation.

This was an important case that had implications not just for online tribal gaming but for offshore operators that target US markets like California. That's because it sought to establish "where" an online betting transaction takes place: is it where it is initiated or where it is received?

The answer, according to a federal judge, was "both." Ninth Circuit Judge Carlos T. Bea agreed with some of the tribe’s arguments but indicated that the patrons’ “act of placing a bet or wager on a game of Desert Rose Casino [the tribe’s bingo site] while located in California, violated the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act (UIGEA), and was not protected by IGRA.”

More recently, the issue resurfaced in Florida when compacts negotiated between the state and the Seminoles granted exclusivity on statewide mobile sports betting to the tribal operator. While the agreement was initially ratified by the federal government, it was declared null and void by a federal judge in DC in November 2021. That's because the compact essentially authorized gaming on and off tribal lands, a violation of IGRA.

California Casinos

Tribal casinos in California are spread across 30 counties, so residents enjoy fairly even access to them. The largest such venues are located in Temecula (Pechanga Resort and Casino), Highland (San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino), Lincoln (Thunder Valley Casino), Cabazon (Morongo Casino Resort and Spa), Brooks (Cache Creek), and Pala (Pala Casino Resort and Spa). In addition, certain card rooms offer modified casino-style card games, such as blackjack or pai-gow poker, but the tribes are doing everything in their power to shut those games down.

The tribes' right to offer class III gaming, such as slots and blackjack, was codified in 2000 after California voters agreed to change the constitution to allow the games. That's provided compacts and revenue-share agreements were negotiated with the state.

However, the amendment, known as Proposition 1A, contained provisions prohibiting games whose outcome is decided by the spin of a wheel or roll of the dice. That's why you won't find roulette or craps at California casinos.

Californians don’t have access to any state-sanctioned online casino options, and playing on offshore sites likely constitutes a violation of California Penal Code Sec. 330. However, no California resident has ever been prosecuted for playing online.

California Poker

California is an important hotspot on the US poker map. Many of the tribal casinos operate large poker rooms that can host major tournaments, and poker is the main attraction at local cardrooms.

For this reason, many local politicians have tried passing favorable internet poker laws since 2008, but each of the proposed bills has failed due to the gaming industry’s atomized nature in California. The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel tribe tried launching an online poker site under the existing regulations, but this attempt was shut down by the courts.

As a result, there’s no way for a California resident to play poker over the internet legally.

California Racetracks

California has a rich racing history, and you can play the ponies at each of its four famous racetracks, Santa Anita Park, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Golden Gate Fields, and Los Alamitos Race Course. There is also licensed off-track betting, and advanced-deposit wagering is available at several online sites. In fact, this is the only type of online gambling that is legally licensed in California.

California Sports Betting

Sports betting in California is limited to on-site pari-mutuel horse race betting. Off-track betting is prohibited. When the Professional and Amateur Sports Betting Act (PASPA), which banned sports betting in the US on a federal level, was defanged by the Supreme Court in 2018, California lawmakers began working on a new sports betting bill. But it quickly became clear that any such effort would need to win the backing of the tribes, which are against the inclusion of the cardrooms and commercial out-of-state interests in a future market.

In November 2022, California voters had a chance to approve the tribes' narrower version of a sports betting market, but they voted against it.

California is a Holy Grail for the global sports betting industry, which believes an inclusive free market would be among the biggest in the world. But with competing interests from the tribes, the card clubs, the racing industry, and powerful lobbyists for out-of-state operators, the path to realizing that market is perhaps the most complex of all US states.

In the meantime, using offshore sportsbooks is a risky proposition as it could constitute a violation of California Penal Code Sec. 330.

California Daily Fantasy Sports

These days, California lawmakers can’t seem to agree on anything regarding gambling, which is demonstrated by the 2015 DFS bill’s fate. Bill A 1437, was introduced in September 2015 by Asm. Adam Grey. It passed through all the committees and was approved by the Assembly in a 62-1 vote, but the Senate never took it up.

Thus, the legal status of DFS contests remains undetermined. This doesn’t seem to bother DFS companies, such as FanDuel or DraftKings, which continue to offer their services to California-based sports fans and consider themselves de facto legal. However, this doesn’t mean that using these platforms is 100% legal – it merely means that this issue hasn’t been settled by a California court or by the legislature.

California Lotteries

The California State Lottery offers local and multi-state draw games, including Mega Millions and Powerball, as well as scratchers and Second Chance games. Unfortunately, the Lottery doesn’t sell any tickets online, so if you want to join the action, you need to visit one of the land-based retail stores.

California Bingo

Bingo is available both as a charity game and commercially in casinos. The Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel tribe briefly operated an online bingo site called Desert Rose Bingo, which was shut down by a court decision in 2016. At the moment, California residents don’t have access to any legal online bingo platforms.

California Gambling FAQ

What types of legal gambling are available in California?

There are 67 tribal casinos in California and 66 cardrooms. The tribal casinos have exclusivity on "Las Vegas-style" class III gaming, such as slots and blackjack, but are not permitted to offer "ball and dice games," like roulette and craps. The cardrooms are permitted to offer non-banked games, where they do not act as the house, such as poker. They also offer modified versions of some casino games, known as "California Games." You can also play the lottery and charitable bingo games and place parimutuel bets at racetracks and via selected third-party websites.

Can I gamble online in California?

Currently, the only legally licensed form of online gambling in California is advance-deposit wagering on horse racing. While DFS has never been officially legalized, it is assumed to be legal and all major DFS sites accept players from California. Various attempts to legalize online poker and sports betting have thus far failed. Many offshore gambling sites accept players from California, and the state has shown no interest in prosecuting individual players, despite engagement with such sites being nominally illegal.

Can I play poker in California?

Yes, California has a vibrant poker scene, and poker rooms are found at numerous tribal casinos and cardrooms throughout the state. Online poker is not legal, although no resident of California has ever been prosecuted for playing at an offshore online poker site.

Is sports betting legal in California?

Sports betting is not currently legal in California and the state's powerful tribal operators are resistant to a free market that includes cardrooms and out-of-state commercial operators. However, many unlicensed offshore operators accept bets from California residents.

Can I play the lottery in California?

Yes, California has a lottery that offers local and multi-state draw games, as well as scratchers and Second Chance games. There is no online lottery service in the state.

What's the legal age for gambling in California?

Generally, it's 21 at casinos and cardrooms and 18 for other types of gambling, such as betting on horses and the lottery.

What Does the California Constitution Say About Gambling?

Article IV, Legislative, Sec. 19.

(a) The Legislature has no power to authorize lotteries, and shall prohibit the sale of lottery tickets in the State.

(b) The Legislature may provide for the regulation of horse races and horse race meetings and wagering on the results.

(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the Legislature by statute may authorize cities and counties to provide for bingo games, but only for charitable purposes.

(d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), there is authorized the establishment of a California State Lottery.

(e) The Legislature has no power to authorize, and shall prohibit, casinos of the type currently operating in Nevada and New Jersey.

(f) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (e), and any other provision of state law, the Governor is authorized to negotiate and conclude compacts, subject to ratification by the Legislature, for the operation of slot machines and for the conduct of lottery games and banking and percentage card games by federally recognized Indian tribes on Indian lands in California in accordance with federal law.

Accordingly, slot machines, lottery games, and banking and percentage card games are hereby permitted to be conducted and operated on tribal lands subject to those compacts.

(f) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the Legislature may authorize private, nonprofit, eligible organizations, as defined by the Legislature, to conduct raffles as a funding mechanism to provide support for their own or another private, nonprofit, eligible organization's beneficial and charitable works, provided that (1) at least 90 percent of the gross receipts from the raffle go directly to beneficial or charitable purposes in California, and (2) any person who receives compensation in connection with the operation of a raffle is an employee of the private nonprofit organization that is conducting the raffle.  The Legislature, two-thirds of the membership of each house concurring, may amend the percentage of gross receipts required by this subdivision to be dedicated to beneficial or charitable purposes by means of a statute that is signed by the Governor.

California Business and Professions Code 19800 et seq, Gambling Control Act

Card Rooms

The Gambling Control Act (the Act), Business & Professions Code sections 19800 through 19985 governs the licensing and operation of California cardrooms under the regulation of the California Gambling Control Commission.

California Penal Code

Aid and Abet

Penal Code Sec. 30.

The parties to crimes are classified as:

1. Principals; and,
2. Accessories.

Penal Code Sec. 31.

All persons concerned in the commission of a crime, whether it be felony or misdemeanor, and whether they directly commit the act constituting the offense, or aid and abet in its commission, or, not being present, have advised and encouraged its commission, and all persons counseling, advising, or encouraging children under the age of fourteen years, lunatics or idiots, to commit any crime, or who, by fraud, contrivance, or force, occasion the drunkenness of another for the purpose of causing him to commit any crime, or who, by threats, menaces, command, or coercion, compel another to commit any crime, are principals in any crime so committed.

Gambling Provisions

Penal Code Sec. 318.

Whoever, through invitation or device, prevails upon any person to visit any room, building, or other places kept for the purpose of illegal gambling or prostitution, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in the county jail not exceeding six months, or fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.

Penal Code Sec.319.

A lottery is any scheme for the disposal or distribution of property by chance, among persons who have paid or promised to pay any valuable consideration for the chance of obtaining such property or a portion of it, or for any share or any interest in such property, upon any agreement, understanding, or expectation that it is to be distributed or disposed of by lot or chance, whether called a lottery, raffle, or gift enterprise, or by whatever name the same may be known.

Penal Code Sec. 319.3.

319.3. (a) In addition to Section 319, a lottery also shall include a grab bag game which is a scheme whereby, for the disposal or distribution of sports trading cards by chance, a person pays valuable consideration to purchase a sports trading card grab bag with the understanding that the purchaser has a chance to win a designated prize or prizes listed by the seller as being contained in one or more, but not all, of the grab bags.

(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Sports trading card grab bag " means a sealed package which contains one or more sports trading cards that have been removed from the manufacturer's original packaging. A "sports trading card grab bag" does not include a sweepstakes, or procedure for the distribution of any sports trading card of value by lot or by chance, which is not unlawful under other provisions of law.

(2) "Sports trading card " means any card produced for use in commerce that contains a company name or logo, or both, and an image, representation, or facsimile of one or more players or other team member or members in any pose, and that is produced pursuant to an appropriate licensing agreement.

Penal Code Sec. 319.5.

Neither this chapter nor Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 330) applies to the possession or operation of a reverse vending machine. As used in this section a reverse vending machine is a machine in which empty beverage containers are deposited for recycling and which provides a payment of money, merchandise, vouchers, or other incentives at a frequency less than upon each deposit. The pay out of a reverse vending machine is made on a deposit selected at random within the designated number of required deposits.

The deposit of an empty beverage container in a reverse vending machine does not constitute consideration within the definition of lottery in Section 319.

Penal Code Sec. 320.

Every person who contrives, prepares, sets up, proposes, or draws any lottery, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Penal Code Sec. 320.5 .

320.5. (a) Nothing in this chapter applies to any raffle conducted by an eligible organization as defined in subdivision (c) for the purpose of directly supporting beneficial or charitable purposes or financially supporting another private, nonprofit, eligible organization that performs beneficial or charitable purposes if the raffle is conducted in accordance with this section....   [See California Charitable Raffles]

Penal Code Sec. 321.

Every person who sells, gives, or in any manner whatever, furnishes or transfers to or for any other person any ticket, chance, share, or interest, or any paper, certificate, or instrument purporting or understood to be or to represent any ticket, chance, share, or interest in, or depending upon the event of any lottery, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Penal Code Sec. 322.

Every person who aids or assists, either by printing, writing, advertising, publishing, or otherwise in setting up, managing, or drawing any lottery, or in selling or disposing of any ticket, chance, or share therein, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Penal Code Sec. 323.

Every person who opens, sets up, or keeps, by himself or by any other person, any office or other place for the sale of, or for registering the number of any ticket in any lottery, or who, by printing, writing, or otherwise, advertises or publishes the setting up, opening, or using of any such office, is guilty of a misdemeanor....

Penal Code Sec. 326.

Every person who lets, or permits to be used, any building or vessel, or any portion thereof, knowing that it is to be used for setting up, managing, or drawing any lottery, or for the purpose of selling or disposing of lottery tickets, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Penal Code Sec. 326.5.

326.5. (a) Neither the prohibition on gambling in this chapter nor in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 330) applies to any bingo game that is conducted in a city, county, or city and county pursuant to an ordinance enacted under Section 19 of Article IV of the State Constitution, if the ordinance allows games to be conducted only in accordance with this section and only by organizations exempted from the payment of the bank and corporation tax by Sections 23701a, 23701b, 23701d, 23701e, 23701f, 23701g, 23701k, 23701w, and 23701l of the Revenue and Taxation Code and by mobilehome park associations, senior citizens organizations, and charitable organizations affiliated with a school district; and if the receipts of those games are used only for charitable purposes. [See California Charitable Bingo]

Penal Code Sec. 327.

Every person who contrives, prepares, sets up, proposes, or operates any endless chain is guilty of a public offense, and is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one year or in state prison for 16 months, two, or three years.

As used in this section, an "endless chain" means any scheme for the disposal or distribution of property whereby a participant pays a valuable consideration for the chance to receive compensation for introducing one or more additional persons into participation in the scheme or for the chance to receive compensation when a person introduced by the participant introduces a new participant.

Compensation, as used in this section, does not mean or include payment based upon sales made to persons who are not participants in the scheme and who are not purchasing in order to participate in the scheme....

Penal Code Sec. 330.

Every person who deals, plays, or carries on, opens, or causes to be opened, or who conducts, either as owner or employee, whether for hire or not, any game of faro, monte, roulette, lansquenet, rouge et noire, rondo, tan, fan-tan, seven-and-a-half, twenty-one, hokey-pokey, or any banking or percentage game played with cards, dice, or any device, for money, checks, credit, or other representative of value, and every person who plays or bets at or against any of those prohibited games, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punishable by a fine not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment.

330a. Every person, who has in his possession or under his control, either as owner, lessee, agent, employee, mortgagee, or otherwise, or who permits to be placed, maintained or kept, in any room, space, inclosure or building owned, leased or occupied by him, or under his management or control, any slot or card machine, contrivance, appliance or mechanical device, upon the result of action of which money or other valuable thing is staked or hazarded, and which is operated, or played, by placing or depositing therein any coins, checks, slugs, balls, or other articles or device, or in any other manner and by means whereof, or as a result of the operation of which any merchandise, money, representative or articles of value, checks, or tokens, redeemable in, or exchangeable for money or any other thing of value, is won or lost, or taken from or obtained from such machine, when the result of action or operation of such machine, contrivance, appliance, or mechanical device is dependent upon hazard or chance, and every person, who has in his possession or under his control, either as owner, lessee, agent, employee, mortgagee, or otherwise, or who permits to be placed, maintained or kept, in any room, space, inclosure or building, owned, leased or occupied by him, or under his management or control, any card dice, or any dice having more than six faces or bases each, upon the result of action of which any money or other valuable thing is staked or hazarded, or as a result of the operation of which any merchandise, money, representative or article of value, check or token, redeemable in or exchangeable for money or any other thing of value, is won or lost or taken, when the result of action or operation of such dice is dependent upon hazard or chance, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punishable by a fine not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Penal Code Sec. 330b.

Possession or keeping of slot machines or devices.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to manufacture, repair, own, store, possess, sell, rent, lease, let on shares, lend or give away, transport, or expose for sale or lease, or to offer to repair, sell, rent, lease, let on shares, lend or give away, or permit the operation, placement, maintenance, or keeping of, in any place, room, space, or building owned, leased, or occupied, managed, or controlled by that person, any slot machine or device, as defined in this section.

It is unlawful for any person to make or to permit the making of an agreement with another person regarding any slot machine or device, by which the user of the slot machine or device, as a result of the element of hazard or chance or other unpredictable outcome, may become entitled to receive money, credit, allowance, or other thing of value or additional chance or right to use the slot machine or device, or to receive any check, slug, token, or memorandum entitling the holder to receive money, credit, allowance, or other thing of value.

(b) The limitations of subdivision (a), insofar as they relate to owning, storing, possessing, or transporting any slot machine or device, do not apply to any slot machine or device located upon or being transported by any vessel regularly operated and engaged in interstate or foreign commerce, so long as the slot machine or device is located in a locked compartment of the vessel, is not accessible for use, and is not used or operated within the territorial jurisdiction of this state.

(c) The limitations of subdivision (a) do not apply to a manufacturer's business activities that are conducted in accordance with the terms of a license issued by a tribal gaming agency pursuant to the tribal-state gaming compacts entered into in accordance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1166 to 1168, inclusive, and 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2701 et seq.)

(d) For purposes of this section, "slot machine or device" means a machine, apparatus, or device that is adapted, or may readily be converted, for use in a way that, as a result of the insertion of any piece of money or coin or other object, or by any other means, the machine or device is caused to operate or may be operated, and by reason of any element of hazard or chance or of other outcome of operation unpredictable by him or her, the user may receive or become entitled to receive any piece of money, credit, allowance, or thing of value, or additional chance or right to use the slot machine or device, or any check, slug, token, or memorandum, whether of value or otherwise, which may be exchanged for any money, credit, allowance, or thing of value, or which may be given in trade, irrespective of whether it may, apart from any element of hazard or chance or unpredictable outcome of operation, also sell, deliver, or present some merchandise, indication of weight, entertainment, or other thing of value.

(e) Every person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(1) A first violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(2) A second offense shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(3) A third or subsequent offense shall be punishable by a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(4) If the offense involved more than one machine or more than one location, an additional fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be imposed per machine and per location.

(f) Pinball and other amusement machines or devices, which are predominantly games of skill, whether affording the opportunity of additional chances or free plays or not, are not included within the term slot machine or device, as defined in this section.

330c. A punchboard as hereinafter defined is hereby declared to be a slot machine or device within the meaning of Section 330b of this code and shall be subject to the provisions thereof. For the purposes of this section, a punchboard is any card, board or other device which may be played or operated by pulling, pressing, punching out or otherwise removing any slip, tab, paper or other substance therefrom to disclose any concealed number, name or symbol.

§ 330.1. (a) Every person who manufactures, owns, stores, keeps, possesses, sells, rents, leases, lets on shares, lends or gives away, transports, or exposes for sale or lease, or offers to sell, rent, lease, let on shares, lend or give away or who permits the operation of or permits to be placed, maintained, used, or kept in any room, space, or building owned, leased, or occupied by him or her or under his or her management or control, any slot machine or device as hereinafter defined, and every person who makes or permits to be made with any person any agreement with reference to any slot machine or device as hereinafter defined, pursuant to which agreement the user thereof, as a result of any element of hazard or chance, may become entitled to receive anything of value or additional chance or right to use that slot machine or device, or to receive any check, slug, token, or memorandum, whether of value or otherwise, entitling the holder to receive anything of value, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) A first violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(c) A second offense shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(d) A third or subsequent offense shall be punishable by a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(e) If the offense involved more than one machine or more than one location, an additional fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be imposed per machine and per location.

(f) A slot machine or device within the meaning of Sections 330.1 to 330.5, inclusive, of this code is one that is, or may be, used or operated in such a way that, as a result of the insertion of any piece of money or coin or other object the machine or device is caused to operate or may be operated or played, mechanically, electrically, automatically, or manually, and by reason of any element of hazard or chance, the user may receive or become entitled to receive anything of value or any check, slug, token, or memorandum, whether of value or otherwise, which may be given in trade, or the user may secure additional chances or rights to use such machine or device, irrespective of whether it may, apart from any element of hazard or chance, also sell, deliver, or present some merchandise, indication of weight, entertainment, or other thing of value.

330.2. As used in Sections 330.1 to 330.5, inclusive, of this code a "thing of value" is defined to be any money, coin, currency, check, chip, allowance, token, credit, merchandise, property, or any representative of value.

330.3. In addition to any other remedy provided by law any slot machine or device may be seized by any of the officers designated by Sections 335 and 335a of the Penal Code, and in such cases shall be disposed of, together with any and all money seized in or in connection with such machine or device, as provided in Section 335a of the Penal Code.

330.4. It is specifically declared that the mere possession or control, either as owner, lessee, agent, employee, mortgagor, or otherwise of any slot machine or device, as defined in Section 330.1 of this code, is prohibited and penalized by the provisions of Sections 330.1 to 330.5, inclusive, of this code.

It is specifically declared that every person who permits to be placed, maintained or kept in any room, space, enclosure, or building owned, leased or occupied by him, or under his management or control, whether for use or operation or for storage, bailment, safekeeping or deposit only, any slot machine or device, as defined in Section 330.1 of this code, is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable as provided in Section 330.1 of this code.
It is further declared that the provisions of this section specifically render any slot machine or device as defined in Section 330.1 of this code subject to confiscation as provided in Section 335a of this code.

330.5. It is further expressly provided that Sections 330.1 to 330.4, inclusive, of this code shall not apply to music machines, weighing machines and machines which vend cigarettes, candy, ice cream, food, confections or other merchandise, in which there is deposited an exact consideration and from which in every case the customer obtains that which he purchases; and it is further expressly provided that with respect to the provisions of Sections 330.1 to 330.4, inclusive, only, of this code, pin ball, and other amusement machines or devices which are predominantly games of skill, whether affording the opportunity of additional chances or free plays or not, are not intended to be and are not included within the term slot machine or device as defined within Sections 330.1 to 330.4, inclusive, of this code.

330.6. The provisions of Sections 330.1 to 330.5, inclusive, of this code, with respect to owning, storing, keeping, possessing, or transporting any slot machine or device as therein defined, shall not apply to any slot machine or device as therein defined, located upon or being transported by any vessel regularly operated and engaged in interstate or foreign commerce, so long as such slot machine or device is located in a locked compartment of the vessel, is not accessible for use and is not used or operated within the territorial jurisdiction of this State.

330.7. (a) It shall be a defense to any prosecution under this chapter relating to slot machines, as defined in subdivision (2) of Section 330b, if the defendant shows that the slot machine is an antique slot machine and was not operated for gambling purposes while in the defendant's possession. For the purposes of this section, the term "antique slot machine" means a slot machine that is over 25 years of age.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 335a, whenever the defense provided by subdivision (a) is offered, no slot machine seized from any defendant shall be destroyed or otherwise altered until after a final court determination that such defense is not applicable. If the defense is applicable, the machine shall be returned pursuant to provisions of law providing for the return of property.

(c) It is the purpose of this section to protect the collection and restoration of antique slot machines not presently utilized for gambling purposes because of their aesthetic interest and importance in California history.

330.8. Notwithstanding Sections 330a, 330b, and 330.1 to 330.5, inclusive, the sale, transportation, storage, and manufacture of gambling devices, as defined in Section 330.1, including the acquisition of essential parts therefor and the assembly of such parts, is permitted, provided those devices are sold, transported, stored, and manufactured only for subsequent transportation in interstate or foreign commerce when that transportation is not prohibited by any applicable federal law. Those activities may be conducted only by persons who have registered with the United States government pursuant to Chapter 24 (commencing with Section 1171) of Title 15 of the United States Code, as amended. Those gambling devices shall not be displayed to the general public or sold for use in California regardless of where purchased, nor held nor manufactured in violation of any applicable federal law. A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

330.9.

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 330a, 330b, 330.1 to 330.5, inclusive, or any other provision of law, it shall be lawful for any person to transport and possess any slot machine or device for display at a trade show, conference, or convention being held within this state, or if used solely as a prop for a motion picture, television, or video production.

(b) Subdivision (a) shall apply only if the slot machine or device is adjusted to render the machine or device inoperable, or if the slot machine or device is set on demonstration mode.

(c) This section is intended to constitute a state exemption as provided in Section 1172 of Title 15 of the United States Code.

(d) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Demonstration mode " means that the programming or settings of a slot machine or device have been programmed, set, or selected to operate normally, but to not accept or pay out cash or any other consideration.
(2) "Slot machine or device " has the same meaning as "slot machine or device " as defined in Section 330.1, or "gambling device " as defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Section 1171 of Title 15 of the United States Code.

Penal Code Sec. 330.11.

"Banking game" or "banked game" does not include a controlled game if the published rules of the game feature a player-dealer position and provide that this position must be continuously and systematically rotated amongst each of the participants during the play of the game, ensure that the player-dealer is able to win or lose only a fixed and limited wager during the play of the game, and preclude the house, another entity, a player, or an observer from maintaining or operating as a bank during the course of the game. For purposes of this section it is not the intent of the Legislature to mandate acceptance of the deal by every player if the division finds that the rules of the game render the maintenance of or operation of a bank impossible by other means. The house shall not occupy the player-dealer position.

Penal Code Sec. 337a.

(a) Every person who engages in one of the following offenses, shall be punished for a first offense by imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than one year or in the state prison, or by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both imprisonment and fine:

(1) Pool selling or bookmaking, with or without writing, at any time or place.

(2) Whether for gain, hire, reward, or gratuitously, or otherwise, keeps or occupies, for any period of time whatsoever, any room, shed, tenement, tent, booth, building, float, vessel, place, stand or enclosure, of any kind, or any part thereof, with a book or books, paper or papers, apparatus, device or paraphernalia, for the purpose of recording or registering any bet or bets, any purported bet or bets, wager or wagers, any purported wager or wagers, selling pools, or purported pools, upon the result, or purported result, of any trial, purported trial, contest, or purported contest, of skill, speed or power of endurance of person or animal, or between persons, animals, or mechanical apparatus, or upon the result, or purported result, of any lot, chance, casualty, unknown or contingent event whatsoever.

(3) Whether for gain, hire, reward, or gratuitously, or otherwise, receives, holds, or forwards, or purports or pretends to receive, hold, or forward, in any manner whatsoever, any money, thing or consideration of value, or the equivalent or memorandum thereof, staked, pledged, bet or wagered, or to be staked, pledged, bet or wagered, or offered for the purpose of being staked, pledged, bet or wagered, upon the result, or purported result, of any trial, or purported trial, or contest, or purported contest, of skill, speed or power of endurance of person or animal, or between persons, animals, or mechanical apparatus, or upon the result, or purported result, of any lot, chance, casualty, unknown or contingent event whatsoever.

(4) Whether for gain, hire, reward, or gratuitously, or otherwise, at any time or place, records, or registers any bet or bets, wager or wagers, upon the result, or purported result, of any trial, or purported trial, or contest, or purported contest, of skill, speed or power of endurance of person or animal, or between persons, animals, or mechanical apparatus, or upon the result, or purported result, of any lot, chance, casualty, unknown or contingent event whatsoever.

(5) Being the owner, lessee or occupant of any room, shed, tenement, tent, booth, building, float, vessel, place, stand, enclosure or grounds, or any part thereof, whether for gain, hire, reward, or gratuitously, or otherwise, permits that space to be used or occupied for any purpose, or in any manner prohibited by paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4).

(6) Lays, makes, offers or accepts any bet or bets, or wager or wagers, upon the result, or purported result, of any trial, or purported trial, or contest, or purported contest, of skill, speed or power of endurance of person or animal, or between persons, animals, or mechanical apparatus.
(b) In any accusatory pleading charging a violation of this section, if the defendant has been once previously convicted of a violation of any subdivision of this section, the previous conviction shall be charged in the accusatory pleading, and, if the previous conviction is found to be true by the jury, upon a jury trial, or by the court, upon a court trial, or is admitted by the defendant, the defendant shall, if he or she is not imprisoned in the state prison, be imprisoned in the county jail for a period of not more than one year and pay a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a court from placing a person subject to this subdivision on probation. However, that person shall be required to pay a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or be imprisoned in the county jail for a period of not more than one year, as a condition thereof. In no event does the court have the power to absolve a person convicted pursuant to this subdivision from either being imprisoned or from paying a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

(c) In any accusatory pleading charging a violation of this section, if the defendant has been previously convicted two or more times of a violation of any subdivision of this section, each previous conviction shall be charged in the accusatory pleadings. If two or more of the previous convictions are found to be true by the jury, upon a jury trial, or by the court, upon a court trial, or are admitted by the defendant, the defendant shall, if he or she is not imprisoned in the state prison, be imprisoned in the county jail for a period of not more than one year or pay a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), or be punished by both imprisonment and fine. Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a court from placing a person subject to this subdivision on probation. However, that person shall be required to pay a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), or be imprisoned in the county jail for a period of not more than one year as a condition thereof. In no event does the court have the power to absolve a person convicted and subject to this subdivision from either being imprisoned or from paying a fine of not more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).

(d) Except where the existence of a previous conviction of any subdivision of this section was not admitted or not found to be true pursuant to this section, or the court finds that a prior conviction was invalid, the court shall not strike or dismiss any prior convictions alleged in the information or indictment.

(e) This section applies not only to persons who commit any of the acts designated in paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a), as a business or occupation, but also applies to every person who in a single instance engages in any one of the acts specified in paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a).

Penal Code Sec. 337j

(a) It is unlawful for any person, as owner, lessee, or employee, whether for hire or not, either solely or in conjunction with others, to do any of the following without having first procured and thereafter maintained in effect all federal, state, and local licenses required by law:

(1) To deal, operate, carry on, conduct, maintain, or expose for play in this state any controlled game.

(2) To receive, directly or indirectly, any compensation or reward or any percentage or share of the revenue, for keeping, running, or carrying on any controlled game.

(3) To manufacture, distribute, or repair any gambling equipment within the boundaries of this state, or to receive, directly or indirectly, any compensation or reward for the manufacture, distribution, or repair of any gambling equipment within the boundaries of this state.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly permit any controlled game to be conducted, operated, dealt, or carried on in any house or building or other premises that he or she owns or leases, in whole or in part, if that activity is undertaken by a person who is not licensed as required by state law, or by an employee of that person.

(c) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly permit any gambling equipment to be manufactured, stored, or repaired in any house or building or other premises that the person owns or leases, in whole or in part, if that activity is undertaken by a person who is not licensed as required by state law, or by an employee of that person.

(d) Any person who violates, attempts to violate, or conspires to violate this section shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both imprisonment and fine. A second offense of this section is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than one year or in the state prison or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both imprisonment and fine.

(e) (1) As used in this section, "controlled game " means any poker or Pai Gow game, and any other game played with cards or tiles, or both, and approved by the Division of Gambling Control, and any game of chance, including any gambling device, played for currency, check, credit, or any other thing of value that is not prohibited and made unlawful by statute or local ordinance.

(2) As used in this section, "controlled game" does not include any of the following:

(A) The game of bingo conducted pursuant to Section 326.3 or 326.5.

(B) Parimutuel racing on horse races regulated by the California Horse Racing Board.

(C) Any lottery game conducted by the California State Lottery.

(D) Games played with cards in private homes or residences, in which no person makes money for operating the game, except as a player.

(f) This subdivision is intended to be dispositive of the law relating to the collection of player fees in gambling establishments.
A fee may not be calculated as a fraction or percentage of wagers made or winnings earned. The amount of fees charged for all wagers shall be determined prior to the start of play of any hand or round.  However, the gambling establishment may waive collection of the fee or portion of the fee in any hand or round of play after the hand or round has begun pursuant to the published rules of the game and the notice provided to the public. The actual collection of the fee may occur before or after the start of play. Ample notice shall be provided to the patrons of gambling establishments relating to the assessment of fees. Flat fees on each wager may be assessed at different collection rates, but no more than three collection rates may be established per table. However, if the gambling establishment waives its collection fee, this fee does not constitute one of the three collection rates.

Penal Code Sec. 337t.

The following definitions govern the construction of this section and Sections 337u, 337w, 337x, and 337y:

(a) "Associated equipment" means any equipment or mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic contrivance, component or machine used remotely or directly in connection with gaming or any game that would not otherwise be classified as a gaming device, including dice, playing cards, links which connect to progressive slot machines, equipment which affects the proper reporting of gross revenue, computerized systems for monitoring slot machines and devices for weighing or counting money.

(b) "Cashless wagering system" means a method of wagering and accounting in which the validity and value of a wagering instrument or wagering credits are determined, monitored, and retained by a computer that is operated and maintained by a licensee and that maintains a record of each transaction involving the wagering instrument or wagering credits, exclusive of the game or gaming device on which wagers are being made. The term includes computerized systems which facilitate electronic transfers of money directly to or from a game or gaming device.

(c) "Cheat" means to alter the normal elements of chance, method of selection, or criteria, excluding those alterations to the game generally done by the casino to provide variety to games and that are known, or should be known, by the wagering players, which determine any of the following:
(1) The result of a gambling game.
(2) The amount or frequency of payment in a gambling game.
(3) The value of a wagering instrument.
(4) The value of a wagering credit.

(d) "Drop box" means the box that serves as a repository for cash, chips, tokens, or other wagering instruments.

(e) "Gambling establishment" means any premises wherein or whereon any gaming is done.

(f) "Gambling game device" means any equipment or mechanical, electromechanical, or electronic contrivance, component or machine used remotely or directly in connection with gaming or any game which affects the result of a wager by determining win or loss. The term includes any of the following:
(1) A slot machine.
(2) A collection of two or more of the following components:
(A) An assembled electronic circuit which cannot be reasonably demonstrated to have any use other than in a slot machine.
(B) A cabinet with electrical wiring and provisions for mounting a coin, token, or currency acceptor and provisions for mounting a dispenser of coins, tokens, or anything of value.
(C) A storage medium containing the source language or executable code of a computer program that cannot be reasonably demonstrated to have any use other than in a slot machine.
(D) An assembled video display unit.
(E) An assembled mechanical or electromechanical display unit intended for use in gambling.
(F) An assembled mechanical or electromechanical unit which cannot be demonstrated to have any use other than in a slot machine.
(3) Any mechanical, electrical, or other device that may be connected to or used with a slot machine to alter the normal criteria of random selection or affect the outcome of a game.
(4) A system for the accounting or management of any game in which the result of the wager is determined electronically by using any combination of hardware or software for computers.
(5) Any combination of one of the components set forth in subparagraphs (A) to (F), inclusive, of paragraph (2) and any other component that the commission determines, by regulation, to be a machine used directly or remotely in connection with gaming or any game which affects the results of a wager by determining a win or loss.

(g) "Past-posting" means the placing of a wager by an individual at a game after having knowledge of the result or outcome of that game.

(h) "Pinching wagers" means to reduce the amount wagered or to cancel the wager after acquiring knowledge of the outcome of the game or other event that is the subject of the wager.

(i) "Pressing wagers" means to increase a wager after acquiring knowledge of the outcome of the game or other event that is the subject of the wager.

(j) "Tribal Gaming Agency" means the person, agency, board, committee, commission, or council designated under tribal law, including, but not limited to, an intertribal gaming regulatory agency approved to fulfill those functions by the National Indian Gaming Commission, as primarily responsible for carrying out the regulatory responsibilities of the tribe under the Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 2701) and a tribal gaming ordinance.

(k) "Wagering credit" means a representative of value, other than a chip, token, or wagering instrument, that is used for wagering at a game or gaming device and is obtained by the payment of cash or a cash equivalent, the use of a wagering instrument or the electronic transfer of money.

(l) "Wagering instrument" means a representative of value, other than a chip or token, that is issued by a licensee and approved by the California Gambling Control Commission or a tribal gaming agency, for use in a cashless wagering system.

Penal Code Sec. 337u.

It is unlawful for any person to commit any of the following acts:
(a) To alter or misrepresent the outcome of a gambling game or other event on which wagers lawfully have been made after the outcome is made sure, but before it is revealed to the players.

(b) To place, increase, or decrease a wager or to determine the course of play after acquiring knowledge, not available to all players, of the outcome of the gambling game or any event that affects the outcome of the gambling game or which is the subject of the wager or to aid anyone in acquiring that knowledge for the purpose of placing, increasing, or decreasing a wager or determining the course of play contingent upon that event or outcome.

(c) To claim, collect, or take, or attempt to claim, collect, or take, money or anything of value in or from a gambling game, with intent to defraud, without having made a wager contingent on the game, or to claim, collect, or take an amount greater than the amount actually won.

(d) Knowingly to entice or induce another to go to any place where a gambling game is being conducted or operated in violation of this section, or Section 337v, 337w, 337x, or 337y, with the intent that the other person play or participate in that gambling game.

(e) To place or increase a wager after acquiring knowledge of the outcome of the gambling game or other event which is the subject of the wager, including past-posting and pressing wagers.

(f) To reduce the amount wagered or cancel the wager after acquiring knowledge of the outcome of the gambling game or other event which is the subject of the bet, including pinching wagers.

(g) To manipulate, with the intent to cheat, any component of a gambling game device in a manner contrary to the designed and normal operational purpose for the component, including, but not limited to, varying the pull of the handle of a slot machine, with knowledge that the manipulation affects the outcome of the gambling game or with knowledge of any event that affects the outcome of the gambling game.

Penal Code Sec. 337v.

It is unlawful for any person at a gambling establishment to use, or to possess with the intent to use, any device to assist in any of the following:

(a) In projecting the outcome of the gambling game.

(b) In keeping track of the cards played.

(c) In analyzing the probability of the occurrence of an event relating to the gambling game.

(d) In analyzing the strategy for playing or wagering to be used in the gambling game, except as permitted by the California Gambling Control Commission or a tribal gaming agency.

Penal Code Sec. 337w.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to use counterfeit chips, counterfeit debit instruments, or other counterfeit wagering instruments in a gambling game, the equipment associated with a gambling game, or a cashless wagering system.

(b) It is unlawful for any person, in playing or using any gambling game, the equipment associated with a gambling game, or a cashless wagering system designed to be played with, receive, or be operated by chips, tokens, wagering credits or other wagering instruments approved by the California Gambling Control Commission or a tribal gaming agency, or by lawful coin of the United States of America to either:

(1) Knowingly use chips, tokens, wagering credits, or other wagering instruments not approved by the California Gambling Control Commission or a tribal gaming agency, or lawful coin, legal tender of the United States of America, or use coins or tokens not of the same denomination as the coins or tokens intended to be used in that gambling game, associated equipment, or cashless wagering system.

(2) Use any device or means to violate this section or Section 337u, 337v, 337x, or 337y.

(c) It is unlawful for any person, not a duly authorized employee of a gambling establishment acting in furtherance of his or her employment within that establishment, to possess any device intended to be used to violate this section or Section 337u, 337v, 337x, or 337y.

(d) It is unlawful for any person, not a duly authorized employee of a gambling establishment acting in furtherance of his or her employment within that establishment, to possess any key or device known to have been designed for the purpose of, and suitable for, opening, entering, or affecting the operation of any gambling game, cashless wagering system, or dropbox, or for removing money or other contents from the game, system, or box.

(e) It is unlawful for any person to possess any paraphernalia for manufacturing slugs. As used in this subdivision, "paraphernalia for manufacturing slugs" means the equipment, products, and materials that are intended for use or designed for use in manufacturing, producing, fabricating, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, storing, or concealing a counterfeit facsimile of the chips, tokens, debit instruments, or other wagering instruments approved by the California Gambling Control Commission or a tribal gaming agency, or a lawful coin of the United States, the use of which is unlawful pursuant to subdivision (b). The term "paraphernalia for manufacturing slugs" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(1) Lead or lead alloys.
(2) Molds, forms, or similar equipment capable of producing a likeness of a gaming token or lawful coin of the United States.
(3) Melting pots or other receptacles.
(4) Torches.
(5) Tongs, trimming tools, or other similar equipment.
(6) Equipment which can be reasonably demonstrated to manufacture facsimiles of debit instruments or wagering instruments approved by the California Gambling Control Commission or a tribal gaming agency.

Penal Code Sec. 337x.

It is unlawful to cheat at any gambling game in a gambling establishment.

Penal Code Sec. 337y.

It is unlawful to do either of the following:
(a) Manufacture, sell, or distribute any cards, chips, dice, game, or device which is intended to be used to violate Section 337u, 337v, 337w, or 337x.

(b) Mark, alter, or otherwise modify any gambling game device or associated equipment in a manner that either:
(1) Affects the result of a wager by determining win or loss.
(2) Alters the normal criteria of random selection, which affects the operation of a gambling game or which determines the outcome of a game.

(c) It is unlawful for any person to instruct another in cheating or in the use of any device for that purpose, with the knowledge or intent that the information or use conveyed may be employed to violate Section 337u, 337v, 337w, or 337x.

Penal Code Sec.337z.

(a) Any person who violates Section 337u, 337v, 337w, 337x, or 337y shall be punished as follows:
(1) For the first violation, by imprisonment in a county jail for a term not to exceed one year, or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.
(2) For a second or subsequent violation of any of those sections, by imprisonment in a county jail for a term not to exceed one year or by a fine of not more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(b) A person who attempts to violate Section 337u, 337v, 337w,
337x, or 337y shall be punished in the same manner as the underlying crime.

(c) This section does not preclude prosecution under Section 332 or any other provision of law.

Sweepstakes, Promotions and Contests

California Department of Consumer Affairs Legal Guides
[Footnotes omitted]
RULES FOR OPERATION OF CONTESTS AND SWEEPSTAKES
January 2013
( Business and Professions Code sections 17539-17539.3, 17539.35)

    A "contest" is any game, puzzle, scheme, or plan which offers prospective participants the opportunity to receive or compete for gifts or prizes on the basis of skill or skill and chance, and which is conditioned wholly or partly on the payment of some value. "Contest" does not include a sporting event, performance, or tournament of skill, power or endurance between participants who are actually present.

A person who operates a contest may not represent, either directly or impliedly, that another has won any prize or item of value without disclosing its exact nature and approximate value. Similarly, representations may not be made to another that he or she has won any prize or item of value in a contest unless there has been a real contest in which at least a majority of the participants have failed to win.

The law requires every person who conducts a contest to disclose on each entry blank the deadline for submission of that entry.  Use of the word "lucky" to describe an entry form or symbol, or any other implication that advantage is conferred on the participant in preference to other participants, is prohibited. So too is the use of simulated checks, currency or items of value unless they bear the words "SPECIMEN - NONNEGOTIABLE" clearly and conspicuously.

All contest and promotional puzzles and games must clearly and conspicuously disclose each of the following:

All the rules, regulations, terms and conditions of the contest.

The maximum number of puzzles or games which may be necessary to complete the contest and determine winners.

The maximum amount of money, including postage and handling fees, which a participant may be asked to pay to win each of the prizes offered.

The date(s) upon which the contest will terminate, and upon which all prizes will be awarded.

Whether future contests or tie-breakers, if any, will be significantly more difficult than the initial contest, and the method of determining prize-winners if a tie remains after completion of the last tie-breaker.

Clear and detailed disclosures regarding the nature of the contest and number of contestants also must be made. The total number of contestants anticipated, and the percentage of contestants correctly solving each puzzle (based on prior experience) must be disclosed with the first solicitation and whenever payment of money is required to become or remain a participant.  The exact nature and approximate value of the prizes must be disclosed clearly and conspicuously when they are offered.

Misrepresenting in any manner the odds of winning any prize is prohibited. Representing directly or impliedly that the number of participants has been limited significantly, or that any particular person has been selected to win a prize, is prohibited unless such is a fact. All prizes of the value and type represented must be awarded and distributed.  The opportunity to win a prize cannot be conditioned on a minimum number of entries or contest participants.

If a tie-breaker for extra cash or any other type of prize may be entered by paying money, it must be clearly disclosed to the participant that the payment is optional and that he or she is not required to make the payment to play for these prizes. Participants must be given, clearly and conspicuously, the opportunity to indicate that they wish to enter this phase of the contest for free. However, participants may be required to pay reasonable postage and handling fees, which must be clearly disclosed whenever their payment is required.

Every person conducting a contest must refund within one year of payment anything of value received from a participant making written request if the participant was unable to participate through no fault of his or her own. Upon request by any participant, a list of names of all winners, prizes, and correct (and winning) solutions must be provided.  Upon request by any member of the public, the actual number and percentage of contestants correctly solving each puzzle or game in the most recently completed contest must be provided.  The operator of the contest must keep detailed records of the contest for at least two years after all the prizes are awarded.

These provisions do not apply to advertising programs that are regulated by, and comply with, the provisions of California law which govern the use of gifts or prizes to induce attendance at sales presentations (a type of promotional giveaway).  Also, charitable trusts and corporations, or organizations which are exempt from taxation under state or federal law, are not bound by the provisions on the operation of contests.

Finally, a contest in which participation is conditioned on payment of value and in which prizes are awarded primarily by chance is a lottery rather than a contest. Under California law, only the California State Lottery may operate a lottery. All other lotteries, except bingo games operated by charitable organizations, are prohibited by California's Penal Code.

Legal Guides on the rules prohibiting lotteries and the rules for promotional giveaways are available from the California Department of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 310, Sacramento, CA 95802, or through the department's homepage at www.dca.ca.gov.

RULES FOR OPERATION OF SWEEPSTAKES
(Business and Professions Code Sections 17539.5, 17539.15, 17539.55)

    A "sweepstakes" is any procedure for distributing anything of value by lot or chance. A sweepstakes must not violate any provision of law, including the law that prohibits lotteries.¹⁷

Consumers often confuse sweepstakes, lotteries and contests. The main difference between a sweepstakes and a lottery is that the lottery participants have paid or promised to pay value for the chance to win the prize.¹⁸ The main differences between a sweepstakes and a contest are that the contest participants must use at least some skill to win the prize and must pay some value to participate in the contest.¹⁹

Solicitation materials containing sweepstakes entry material cannot represent that the recipient is a winner or has already won a prize unless the recipient has in fact won a prize. Any such representation is evaluated taking into account the context in which the representation is made (for example, the print, size and presentation of the representation and any qualifying language).²⁰

olicitation materials containing sweepstakes entry material must include a prominent statement that no purchase is necessary in order to enter the sweepstakes. This statement must be included in the solicitation materials in either the official rules or the entry form and must be in readily understandable terms. If the statement is included in the official rules, it must be set out in a separate paragraph and be printed in capital letters in contrasting type. The statement cannot be smaller than the largest type used in the official rules.²¹

The operator of the sweepstakes must treat entries that are not accompanied by orders the same as entries that are accompanied by orders. That is, the operator cannot subject an entry that is not accompanied by an order to any disadvantage in the winner selection process that an entry accompanied by an order would not be subjected to.²²

In addition, the sweepstakes materials containing the entry materials cannot represent that an entry accompanied by an order may win or may win more prizes than an entry not accompanied by an order, and cannot represent that an entry not accompanied by an order will have a reduced chance of winning.²³

In the past, some sweepstakes have sought to solicit or sell "information-access services." Information-access services typically are "900" or "976" numbers.²⁴

Effective January 1, 1999, it is unlawful for any person to sell or solicit an information-access service in any manner related to a sweepstakes.²⁵

Solicitations offering people in California the opportunity to participate in a sweepstakes must disclose the odds of receiving each prize offered.²⁶ The disclosure must be clear and conspicuous in a format such as "1 chance in 100,000" or "1:100,000." If more than one prize is offered, the odds of winning each prize must be separately stated. The disclosure of odds must appear immediately adjacent to the first identification of the prize to which it relates, or in a separate section called "Official Rules" or "Consumer Disclosure." If the disclosure appears in the Official Rules or Consumer Disclosure, there must be a clear and conspicuous statement close to the description of the prizes that directs the recipient to the appropriate section.²⁷

Finally, any person who operates a sweepstakes in California through a "900" or "976" number must register with the Attorney General's office within 10 days after advertising the sweepstakes in this state.²⁸ The sweepstakes operator cannot refer to the fact that he or she is registered with the Attorney General in any contact with the public.²⁹

ENFORCEMENT
(Business and Professions Code sections 17200, 17534-17536)

    Any person who violates the provisions on operation of contests or sweepstakes is guilty of a misdemeanor,³⁰ and may be prosecuted by the Attorney General or by a district attorney. These provisions also are enforceable by civil court actions which can be filed by private parties, district attorneys, city attorneys, county counsel, the Attorney General and other agencies of the State. Depending on the nature of the action, remedies, may include civil penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation, injunction, and restitution.³¹ A contest or sweepstakes which violates these provisions also may be subject to an additional civil penalty of up to $2,500 for each violation as an unlawful business practice.³²

*****

NOTICE: The Department of Consumer Affairs strives to make its legal guides accurate in every respect. However, this legal guide is only a guideline, and is not a definitive statement of the law. Questions about the law's application to specific circumstances should be directed to an attorney.

This document may be copied, if all of the following conditions are met: the meaning of the copied text is not changed; credit is given to the Department of Consumer Affairs; and all copies are distributed free of charge.