California Gambling Control Commission Reviews Licensing and Compliance Matters at December 2025 Meeting

The California Gambling Control Commission convened for its regularly scheduled meeting to address a range of regulatory matters concerning cardrooms, tribal gaming operations, and third-party service providers. Key decisions included the approval of license applications, compliance period extensions, and application withdrawals, all aimed at maintaining the integrity and transparency of the state’s regulated gaming industry.

Key Actions and Approvals

Transaction Compliance Period Extension

• Commerce Casino – California Commerce Club, Inc.
  The Commission approved an extension for the transaction compliance period involving the transfer of interest from the Edgar E. and Elizabeth S. Pankey Trust to The Peter and Mona Pankey Trust, originally approved in June 2025. The extension is conditional upon the transaction closing within 180 days and the licensee’s written agreement to imposed conditions within 30 days.

Paso Robles Central Coast Casino – Ovsep Ayrapetian

• The Commission voted to approve the withdrawal of the initial application with prejudice, based on staff recommendation.

• For the related license application, the Commission opted to take no further action at this time.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services Licensing

• Renewal License – Phuong-Anh Kim Do (The Independent)
  Referred to evidentiary hearing; interim license valid through August 31, 2027.

• Initial Licenses

  • Jacob Greene (Acme Player Services, LLC): Approved through 2027 with condition to report efforts to resolve outstanding debts.

  • Michelle Barentsen (Players Edge Services): Application referred to a GCA hearing for further review.

• Renewal License – Randy Lenar (Players Edge Services)
  Approved through 2027, with prior conditions related to a Failure to Appear (FTA) fine now removed.

Tribal-State Compact Licensing and Suitability Findings

Gaming Resource Supplier

• AGS, LLC: No action was taken on the suitability application.

Key Employee Applications

• Initial and renewal applications were reviewed for dozens of tribal casinos across California.
  Notable approvals included:

  • Christina Varela – Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs

  • Carrie Powell – Cache Creek Casino Resort

  • George Haldeman, Jr. – Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort

• The Commission approved over 100 Tribal Key Employee licenses, both initial and renewal, for staff at major facilities such as:

  • Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel

  • Thunder Valley Casino Resort

  • Graton Resort & Casino

  • Morongo Casino Resort and Spa

  • Barona Resort and Casino

These approvals reflect the Commission’s ongoing oversight of individual suitability for key roles in tribal gaming operations under existing Tribal-State Compacts.

Consent Calendar

The Commission approved numerous routine matters including:

• Initial and renewal Key Employee Licenses

• Initial and renewal Commission Work Permits

• Initial and renewal Third-Party Proposition Player Services Employee Licenses

The comprehensive list of approved applicants spans dozens of companies and gaming facilities statewide.

Read full report: 12-4 OCR