Clovis, CA Gambling & Gaming: Card Room Licensing (2026)

03 makes it unlawful for any person or entity to maintain, manage, or operate any gaming club, card room or gaming table anywhere in Clovis, in any building or portion of a building they own, occupy or control. 06(D) locks the city to a maximum of one gaming club, limited to the club already in existence when the 1995 ordinance was adopted; that operator's license continued under the terms of the earlier uncodified Ordinance 86-6 until it obtained an expanded license under this chapter. 08 separately requires a valid, unexpired, unrevoked City-issued license before anyone may own or operate the club, fee or no fee to players.

09(a) sets a phased schedule for adding card tables beyond the licensed count: up to 2 more tables (cap 21 total) starting May 1, 2025, rising by 2 tables every four years through a cap of 29 tables by May 1, 2041, with each increase requiring prior approval from the California Gambling Control Commission and, for the first increase, an amended City Council license. 17 sets license costs: a nonrefundable filing/investigation deposit of at least $10,000 (billed in $10,000 increments if costs run higher), a $25,000 security deposit the Finance Director can raise to $50,000, and monthly gross-revenue statements due by the 15th of the following month with the license fee attached.

10 lets the City Council deny or condition a location based on proximity to schools, parks, hospitals and religious institutions, and any unapproved relocation triggers immediate license revocation. 18 renews the license automatically each January 1st as long as the licensee keeps an active City business license.