California Gambling Control Commission Reviews Licensing, Ownership Transactions, and Tribal Fund Distribution at October Meeting

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on Thursday to address a wide range of regulatory matters, including tribal revenue sharing, new and renewal licenses for cardrooms and key employees, and several ownership transactions involving major California cardrooms.

Tribal Revenue Sharing Fund Distribution Approved

The Commission approved the final quarterly distribution from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for eligible Indian tribes, covering the quarter ending September 30, 2025. This action, pursuant to Government Code §12012.75, ensures continued support to non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes across the state.

Cardroom License Approvals and Denials

Approved:

• Commerce Casino (California Commerce Club, Inc.) received approval for an initial cardroom owner-type license through March 31, 2027, including acknowledgment of Gina Malkasian as a community property interest holder.

• Crystal Casino (Celebrity Casinos, Inc.) saw multiple approvals related to ownership changes involving Mark and Shelly Kelegian, including the transmutation of property interest and new licensing, contingent upon transactional conditions.

• Bruce’s Bar and Casino (John Gallo) was granted a license renewal through October 31, 2027, with existing operational conditions and a requirement to confirm sole ownership or add a spouse as a licensee.

Denied or Deferred:

• Paso Robles Central Coast Casino (Ovsep Ayrapetian) had its initial application denied, with staff recommending Option One: Deny the application.

• Hollywood Park Casino Company, LLC was referred for evidentiary hearing with an interim renewal license valid through April 30, 2027.

Ownership Transactions and Conditions Imposed

The Commission reviewed and conditionally approved multiple ownership transactions involving significant gaming operations:

• Commerce Casino was approved to repurchase shares from the Haig Papaian Jr. Trust, subject to completion within 180 days and confirmation of compliance within 30 days post-closing.

• Crystal Casino (Celebrity Casinos, Inc.) received approvals with stringent post-closing requirements, including share certificate legend updates and transaction reporting.

• Oaks Card Club (Oaks Club Room, L.P.) saw an assignment of interest from John Tibbetts to the Tibbetts Trust, also contingent on compliance with transactional conditions.

Additional Approvals

• Parkwest Casino Lodi was granted a 120-day license extension through February 28, 2026, and had previous conditions related to its administrative services agreement with Knighted Ventures, LLC removed.

• Parkwest Casino 580 received approval to add six new gaming tables, raising its total from 10 to 16. The Commission also abandoned a 2017 table increase request in favor of this updated approval.

Employee Licensing

Several decisions were made regarding key employees and third-party proposition player service licenses:

• Davis Her’s renewal application was recommended for denial due to unresolved financial obligations.

• Sze Lok Leung was granted a 150-day extension on their key employee license.

• Sushant Giri (Blackstone Gaming) was conditionally approved with requirements to resolve outstanding fines.

• Anthony Barron’s application for a third-party employee license was denied.

• John Quezada (Acme Player Services) and Yesenia Saenz (Blackstone Gaming) were both approved for license renewals through October 31, 2027.

Tribal Compact Licensing

• Charlisha Mart, employed at Table Mountain Casino Resort, was approved for a Tribal-State Compact Key Employee license through April 11, 2026.

Consent Calendar Approved

The Commission approved all items listed under the Consent Calendar (Items 14–18) without changes.

Next Steps

These actions, while subject to compliance with various conditions, represent ongoing efforts by the Commission to uphold integrity and accountability in California’s regulated gaming industry. Licensees and applicants are expected to fulfill post-approval requirements within the specified timeframes to retain compliance.

For full meeting details, visit the California Gambling Control Commission’s official website.