Gambling & Gaming in San Diego County, CA (2026)

1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in San Diego County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of San Diego County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Card Room Licensing

Card rooms and other for-stakes card games are banned across unincorporated San Diego County. County policy prohibits all gambling except licensed bingo and casino parties run by qualified nonprofits, so no ordinance authorizes a commercial card room anywhere outside the 18 incorporated cities.

San Diego County Card Room Ban

Heavy Restrictions

San Diego County Code §§ 37.101, 37.102(a)-(b)

SEC. 37.101. PURPOSE. State law prohibits most forms of gambling in the State of California. State law also allows a local entity to authorize or prohibit certain forms of gambling not illegal under State law. Other than bingo and casino parties conducted by qualified nonprofit corporations pursuant to this code, the County public policy is to prohibit all other gambling. ... SEC. 37.102. GAMBL...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗