Chula Vista, CA Gambling & Gaming: Card Room Licensing (2026)
Key Facts
- License cap
- 1 per 40,000 residents
- Minimum age
- 21
- Default operating hours
- Closed 1 a.m.–9 a.m. daily
- Max tables per license
- 8 (12 if consolidated)
- Max bet absent gaming plan
- $30
- Card table tax
- $30/table/month
Summary
Chula Vista requires a City-issued license before anyone may operate a cardroom, caps the number of licenses at one per 40,000 residents, and bars issuance to anyone under 21, under CVMC 5.20.020 and 5.20.030. Absent an adopted gaming plan, cardrooms must close daily from 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Unless otherwise allowed by the Chula Vista gaming plan, it is unlawful for any Person, for himself or for any other Person, firm or corporation, to engage in or carry on, or to maintain or conduct, or cause to be engaged in, carried on, maintained or conducted, any cardroom in the City without first having secured a license from said City to do so, according to each and every requirement of this chapter, or without complying with each and every regulation pertaining to such cardroom. ... Unless otherwise allowed by the Chula Vista gaming plan, no license shall be issued to any Person under the age of 21 years.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3623, passed May 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
030 authorizes 'one per 40,000 residents or any fraction thereof,' based on the population certified by the State Department of Finance, and existing licenses may only transfer to a new holder with Chief of Police approval and City Council ratification, and, apart from licenses predating the current ordinance, only after the current holder has run the cardroom for three years at a fixed location. 040, with a public lottery held by the Chief of Police if applications exceed the available slots. 140 bars anyone under 21 from playing or working at a card table. 050.
Violations & Fines
CVMC 5.20.090 and 5.20.210 authorize revoking a cardroom license for any violation of Chapter 5.20, for allowing an unnamed party an ownership or management interest, for running more tables than the license allows, or for operating from unsuitable premises; 5.20.220 lists the same grounds. Under 5.20.210 the City may impose a fine instead of revocation. Operating without any license at all is a separate unlawful act under 5.20.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cardroom licenses can Chula Vista issue?
What hours can a Chula Vista cardroom operate?
How many tables can one cardroom license cover?
Can a Chula Vista cardroom license be sold to someone else?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chula Vista
California rules heatmap·Compare Chula Vista to another location·View the California gambling & gaming overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Card Room Licensing in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle card room licensing.