CGCC April Newsletter: Debt, Hearings, Training

Debt and Conditions P. 1 Stakeholder Trainings P. 1 Regulations Update P. 2 GCA Hearing Prep P. 3 Hearing Decisions P. 3 Stakeholder Survey P. 4

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :C A L I F O R N I A G A M B L I N G C O N T R O L C O M M I S S I O N Hail and Farewell P. 4 Stakeholder Trainings Flyer P. 5I S S U E 2V O L U M E 1 3A P R I L 2 0 2 6A P R I L 2 0 2 6W WW . CG C C. C A. G OVW WW . CG C C. C A. G OV

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2 PAGE 1

CALIFORNIA GAMBLING CONTROL COMMMISSION

2399 GATEWAY OAKS DRIVE, SUITE 220 SACRAMENTO, CA 95833 916-263-0700 CGCC.CA.GOV COMMENTS@CGCC.CA.GOV

WHY THE COMMISSION CONDITIONS DEBT, AND HOW TO HANDLE CONDITION REPORTING

While debt does not necessarily mean an applicant is not suitable for licensure, a large amount of delinquent debt can be an indicator that an

REGISTER NOW FOR applicant may not be financially responsible. Concern exists that if an

applicant does not demonstrate financial integrity and responsibility in STAKEHOLDER

their personal affairs, the same could carry over to their professional TRAINING EVENTS!

affairs. As gambling establishments generally conduct business where there is a frequent exchange of cash, chips, and other easily convertible On February 13, the California forms of currency, applicants' finances are reviewed very closely by Gambling Control Commission and the Department of Justice's Bureau of Gambling Control (Bureau) and the Department of Justice, Bureau of the California Gambling Control Commission (Commission). Gambling Control held the first in a series of in-person Stakeholder Another reason the Commission conditions debt is to minimize risk to Training Events, which cover the the employer and the public. An employee with substantial debt could background investigation and licens-potentially pose a threat of theft or other occupational misconduct. ing process administered by the Because of the concerns debt may raise, the Commission may place Bureau and the Commission. conditions on an applicant's license requiring them to satisfy their In March, the Commission released delinquent debts. additional training event dates and If your condition has a status update requirement, or if your renewal locations: hearing is coming up soon, do not wait until the last minute to compile April 9 -- Fresno the condition information, as life happens, and there may be delays

with the courts or other entities you may be requesting information April 16 -- Los Angeles

from. May 12 -- San Diego

For information about your license condition, please contact the June 23 -- Sacramento Commission at licensinginfo@cgcc.ca.gov. To request the removal of a

Click here to register for a training condition, contact the Commission at licensinginfo@cgcc.ca.gov and event. For any questions, contact the Bureau at BGCconditions@doj.ca.gov. stakeholdertraining@cgcc.ca.gov.

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2 PAGE 2 REGULATIONS UPDATE: UPCOMING California Gambling HEARINGS FOR ADVERTISING, ANNUAL Control Commission FEE UPDATE, TRANSACTIONS; ANNUAL

Chair FEE PHASE II NOW IN EFFECT

Paula LaBrie

Commissioners The Commission is currently working on several rulemaking packages

Eric Heins affecting the cardroom industry in California. For more information, and William Liu to sign up for the Rulemaking email list, please visit the Regulations Edward Yee page on the Commission's website or email lawsandregs@cgcc.ca.gov.

Executive Director Advertising Lisa Wardall

On March 3, 2026, the Commission held a hearing for the Advertising Chief Counsel

regulations, where the Commissioners gave approval to move forward Jason Pope with a second version of changes to the regulations text. This was Deputy Director, Legislative & followed by a 15-day public comment period. Commission staff are Regulatory Affairs Division currently working on responses to comment letters received in prepara-Nicole Learned tion for a Commission meeting in Spring 2026. Deputy Director, Licensing Division Brian Gilleland Transactions Deputy Director, Operations Services The informal comment period for the Transactions regulations ended on Division

October 1, 2025. Commission staff are reviewing and considering edits Alana Carter to the draft regulations based on the comments received during the in-Public Information Officer formal comment period. The draft text will be presented for discussion Fred Castaño at a regulation workshop anticipated to take place in mid-2026.

The California Gambling Control Commission newsletter Industry Matters is produced by Multi-Owner Type Licenses

CGCC staff quarterly. Reference herein to any During their review, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) found specific commercial products, process, or ser- sections of this package to be unclear and ambiguous, and as a result vice by trade name, trademark, manufacturer,

further changes are required. The Commission has withdrawn this or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its

endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by package from OAL to make improvements needed to satisfy the the Commission, and such reference shall not Administrative Procedures Act, with the goal of ensuring this package is be used for advertising or product endorsement implemented as soon as possible. purposes.

Industry Matters may distribute content sup-Annual Fee: Phase II plied by third parties. Any opinions, advice,

The Office of Administrative Law approved Annual Fee: Phase II and as statements, services, offers, or other infor- a result, these regulations went into effect on April 1, 2026. mation or content expressed or made available

by third parties does not necessarily state or reflect those of the California Gambling Con- 2026 Update to Annual Fees

trol Commission. Copyright material is only The 45-day public comment period for the 2026 Update to Annual Fees used with express permission from the copy-

regulations ended on February 9, 2026. Commission staff are preparing right holder or in accordance with Fair Use

provisions of copyright law. responses to comments received in preparation for a regulations hearing

to take place in Spring 2026.

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2 PAGE 3 USING ZOOM FOR YOUR EVIDENTIARY HEARING? HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE

Considering the vast size of California and that our applicants live all over the state, the Commission affords applicants the opportunity to attend their evidentiary hearing either in person in Sacramento, or online via Zoom. For online hearings, applicants may contact the Commission's assigned presiding officer or the administrative hearings coordinator to request assistance setting up their Zoom for the hearing. Commission staff will assist applicants as much as possible with issues including Zoom help, internet access, appropriate location, or device to use. Applicants should also address any Zoom issues with their Designated Agent and/or their employer, as they may be able to offer assistance, such as a quiet location and computer to use for the hearing.

Ensure Exhibits Are Accessible

Applicants should have access to exhibits during the hearing. For example, applicants can print the documents or view them from a second device so that they can see the exhibits being discussed during the hearing.

Prepare Witnesses HEARING DECISIONS

Witnesses can join the meeting from any location using the Commission's (Decisions Effective

Zoom link for public hearings. In some cases, witnesses will be placed in a January 1 -- March 31)

Zoom waiting room until it is their turn to testify. Applicants can also contact

Key Employee License witnesses to let them know that it is time for them to join the hearing to testify.

Jeffrey Geary, approved Parties should provide the witness with copies of any exhibits they intend to February 5 use during questioning, or be prepared to share the document using the screen sharing function. Louis Garcia, approved with condition March 19 Be Professional

The Commission's website Zoom allows applicants to attend GCA hearings in a less formal setting, such has the schedule of upcoming as from their own home. However, applicants should be cognizant that GCA hearings, a record of all past hearings are still formal proceedings where Commissioners will view and lis-evidentiary hearings and ten to applicants to make determinations about character and credibility. decisions, and a Hearings Therefore, it is beneficial for applicants to ensure that their surroundings and FAQ page. appearance are appropriate for a formal GCA hearing.

Power and Device

Zoom requires a computer, tablet, or phone, which requires a ready power source. In some cases, the battery for these devices may not be sufficient to power the device during the entirety of a GCA hearing. It is vital that an applicant have a power cable, charger, or battery handy. Depending on your device capability, it may also be prudent to have a second device within reach, just to be safe.

Questions?

If you have any questions about an upcoming GCA hearing, please contact the Presiding Officer identified in your hearing notice; or the Commission's Administrative Hearings Coordinator, Pam Mathauser, at pmathauser@cgcc.ca.gov or Chief Counsel Jason Pope at jpope@cgcc.ca.gov. Also, please check out the Administrative Hearings FAQs on our website.

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 2 PAGE 4 COMMISSION STAKEHOLDER SURVEY OUT NOW!

As part of its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, the Commission is continuing its 30-Second Stakeholder Surveys, which allow the Commission to receive valuable feedback from the public about the Commission's operations. This quarter's survey is about the Commission's informational videos. The survey can be taken online here. You can sign up to receive the 30-Second Stakeholder Surveys, as well as all other Commission Correspond- ence/Notices, on the Commission's website here.

HAIL AND FAREWELL

The Commission welcomes Gerrit Mueller to its Information Technology Unit! Gerrit brings more than 15 years of hands-on information technology experience to the Commission, holds advanced business degrees from California State University, Sacramento, and will support the Commission's ongoing operational and modernization efforts. Welcome aboard Gerrit! The Commission also welcomes Chris Maio to the Information Technology Unit! Chris has decades of experience working in IT for the state, including the State Controller's Office, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Secretary of State's Office. Chris will be running the IT side of the public hearings and contributing to day-to-day IT operations. Welcome Chris! The Commission bids a fond farewell to Josh Rosenstein, who served as a Legislative and Regulatory Specialist for the Commission since 2012. Josh is joining the Department of Conservation with a promotion to Supervisor of their regulatory unit. Congratulations Josh! At the end of February, Commissioner Stacey Luna Baxter's term expired, capping off over 10 years of service with the Commission, first as the Executive Director, then as a Commissioner. Stacey is the longest-tenured Executive Director in Commission history, serving as Executive Director from 2015 to 2024, and then as a Commissioner since 2024. During her tenure, she exemplified the idea that culture starts at the top: from cultivating a strong, positive work environment to supporting Commission staff's growth and development, all while working tirelessly to uphold the Commission's mission of protecting the public by ensuring integrity and justice in the controlled gambling industry through effective regulations and fair application of the law. Stacey oversaw the implementation of three Strategic Plans and their associated objectives and projects, including a Mentorship Program, staff development through trainings and presentations, tutorial videos to guide applicants through the application process, educational resources for applicants and the industry, stake- holder training events, cardroom and tribal casino visits, and much more, in addition to guiding the Commis- sion during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Commission gives its heartfelt thanks to Stacey for her many years of hard work and dedication serving the people of California, and wishes her all the best in her next chapter!

Designated AgentsLearn the Process from Start To FinishPotential, Initial, and Learn Common PitfallsRenewal Applicants Staff Who Assist or AdviseEngage, In-Person, with Applicants Through theBureau and Commission Staff State GamingAsk Staff and Commissioners Application ProcessQuestions

Registration NowRegistration NowUNDERSTANDING THE STATEUNDERSTANDING THE STATE Click or Scan the QR Code below for trainingOpen for MultipleOpen for MultipleGAMING APPLICATION Locationsdate and location options for Los Angeles, Locations GAMING APPLICATIONLearn the Process fromLearn the Process fromSan Diego, Fresno and Sacramento.PROCESSStarting the Application toPROCESSStarting the Application toThe California Gambling Control Commission andReceiving a FinalThe California Gambling Control Commission andReceiving a FinalWho Should Attend?Why Attend?Bureau of Gambling Control are pleased to offer stakeholdertraining@cgcc.ca.govCommission DecisionBureau of Gambling Control are pleased to offerCommission Decision