California Gambling Control Commission Considers Key License Actions, Business Transfers at November Meetings

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened its scheduled meetings this month to consider a range of licensing, regulatory, and transactional matters affecting the state’s gambling establishments. The in-person and virtual sessions, held on November 6 and November 20, addressed over 100 individual items, including casino ownership changes, license renewals, and suitability findings under the Gambling Control Act and Tribal-State Gaming Compacts.

Key Ownership and License Transactions

Among the most notable decisions:

• Tommy’s Casino & Saloon received approval for an extension of its transaction compliance period, allowing an additional 180 days for the sale from Tommie Wayne Buck, Inc. to Casino Azul, LLC to be finalized. If the deal does not close within that time or receive further extensions, it will be automatically disapproved.

• Commerce Casino saw a trio of related approvals involving buyer Roberta Sweet. The Commission:

  • Approved a stock purchase agreement for ownership transition from the Edgar and Elizabeth Pankey Trust to Sweet.

  • Granted Sweet an Initial Cardroom Owner Type License through March 2027, contingent on the completion of the transaction.

  • Imposed several compliance conditions on the new licensee, including post-transaction confirmations, regulatory legends on stock certificates, and deferred license certificate issuance until all stipulations are met.

• La Primavera Pool Hall & Café was granted a 90-day license extension through February 2026 under current conditions. The licensee must meet several regulatory requirements before resuming operations, including inspections, a valid lease, and city licensing.

Employee and Work Permit Licensing Decisions

Several decisions on key employees and work permit applicants were made:

• Ira Goosby was approved for an initial key employee license through 2027.

• Van Nguyen and Michael Pryor had their applications denied.

• Charles Churchill of L.E. Gaming, Inc. was referred to a hearing before final decision on his application.

• Numerous renewals and new work permits were approved, with licenses extending into late 2027.

Third-Party Proposition Player Services (TPPPS)

• Acme Player Services, LLC was granted a Temporary TPPPS Owner License through October 2027 with 13 regulatory conditions, including the stipulation that the license is non-renewable and contingent upon ongoing application for a regular license.

• Dozens of TPPPS Employee Licenses — both initial and renewals — were approved across companies such as Knighted Ventures, Blackstone Gaming, and Players Edge Services.

Tribal-State Gaming Compact Actions

The Commission approved numerous Tribal Key Employee Findings of Suitability:

• New and renewal applicants from casinos including Agua Caliente, Barona, Graton Resort, Morongo, and Red Hawk Casino were found suitable and granted licenses with expiration dates extending to 2027.

• Gaming resource suppliers such as NRT Technology Corporation, VCAT, LLC, and Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. received or renewed suitability findings.

Additional Casino Table Authorizations

• Capitol Casino and Parkwest Casino Lotus were approved for additional permanent gaming tables, effective January 2026.

Upcoming and Continued Matters

• A series of evidentiary hearings were scheduled or referred for contested applications, including those of individuals such as Charles Churchill and Sean Marcus Smith.

• Ongoing litigation matters involving prominent cardrooms, player services companies, and regulatory challenges continue to be addressed in closed sessions.

Public Participation Encouraged

Public attendance and participation in the meetings were facilitated via Zoom and at CGCC’s Sacramento headquarters. The Commission continues to emphasize transparency and encourages stakeholders to attend and provide feedback on regulatory matters.