California Gambling Control Commission Prepares for Key October 23 Meeting Covering Cardroom Licenses, Tribal Distributions, and Ownership Transactions

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) has released the agenda for its October 23, 2025, public meeting, which includes a full slate of items affecting the state’s gaming landscape — from cardroom ownership transactions and tribal revenue distributions to employee suitability findings and requests for additional tables.

Among the highlights:

Revenue Sharing Trust Fund Distribution

The Commission is expected to approve quarterly revenue distributions to eligible Indian Tribes from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for the period ending September 30, 2025, in accordance with Government Code section 12012.75.

Cardroom Licensing and Ownership Transactions

Several significant ownership and licensing matters are up for consideration:

• Commerce Casino (California Commerce Club, Inc.) – Staff recommends approval of an initial cardroom owner license through March 31, 2027. The Commission will also review a share repurchase involving The Haig Papaian Jr. Trust and impose conditions requiring confirmation of the transaction within 30 days of closing.

• Paso Robles Central Coast Casino (Ovsep Ayrapetian, Sole Proprietor) – Staff recommends taking no action on the initial license application.

• Crystal Casino (Celebrity Casinos, Inc.) – A series of ownership transfers between Mark Kelegian and Shelly Kelegian are under review, with contingent approvals tied to transaction closings within 180 days. The Commission will also impose several compliance conditions on share certificates, including mandatory legends regarding transfer restrictions under the Business and Professions Code.

• Oaks Card Club (Oaks Club Room, L.P.) – The proposed assignment of interest from John Tibbetts to the Tibbetts Trust is recommended for approval, contingent upon timely closing and written confirmation to regulators.

Cardroom License Renewals

The Commission will consider renewals for several California cardrooms:

• Bruce’s Bar and Casino (John Gallo, Sole Proprietor) – Recommended for renewal through October 31, 2027, subject to compliance with relocation and ownership verification requirements.

• Hollywood Park Casino (Hollywood Park Casino Company, LLC) – Staff recommends referring the renewal to an evidentiary hearing with an interim license valid through April 30, 2027.

• Parkwest Casino Lodi (Lodi Cardroom, Inc.) – A 120-day extension through February 28, 2026, is recommended, with the removal of conditions related to Fortiss, LLC’s administrative services agreement with Knighted Ventures, LLC.

Key Employee and Proposition Player Licensing

The agenda includes several individual license considerations:

• Davis Her – Staff recommends denial of renewal due to unresolved financial obligations.

• Sze Lok Leung – A 150-day extension through March 31, 2026, is recommended.

• Third-Party Proposition Player Services –

  • Sushant Giri (Blackstone Gaming, LLC) – Approval with conditions related to outstanding fines.

  • Anthony Barron – Staff recommends denial.

  • John Quezada (Acme Player Services, LLC) and Yesenia Saenz (Blackstone Gaming, LLC) – Renewals recommended through October 31, 2027, with certain prior conditions removed.

Tribal Gaming and Table Expansion

• Table Mountain Casino Resort (Table Mountain Rancheria of California) – Charlisha Mart recommended for approval of a key employee finding of suitability through April 11, 2026.

• Parkwest Casino 580 (Casino 580, LLC) – Staff recommends approving six additional gaming tables, increasing the total from 10 to 16, and abandoning a prior 2017 request for expansion.

Consent Calendar

The Commission is also expected to approve several routine items under its Consent Calendar (Items 14–18).

The meeting’s recommendations reflect the Commission’s ongoing oversight of California’s gambling industry, focusing on ownership transparency, regulatory compliance, and fair revenue distribution among tribal and commercial gaming entities.

All items and staff recommendations remain subject to change during the October 23 session.