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

Costa Mesa's gambling chapter, codified from the 1960 Code and last amended by Ordinance No. 89-31 in December 1989, is a blanket local prohibition on games of chance played for money. Section 11-26 makes it unlawful to operate, open or deal in any game or transaction where chance determines a prize of money or value; section 11-28 bars participating in or betting at such a game; section 11-29 bars acting as lookout, doorkeeper or gamekeeper; section 11-30 bars even visiting a room where such a game is played; and section 11-31, the section most directly on point for a card room, makes it unlawful to operate or exhibit any gaming table, device or gaming establishment, or any room for playing games of chance for money with cards, dice or other devices.

Every one of these sections opens with the same carve-out: except as expressly permitted, pursuant to Title 9, Chapter II, Article 21, of this Code. 5; it contains no authorization for a poker room, card club or any commercial card game. Because California cities must adopt their own authorizing ordinance under the Gambling Control Act before a card room can lawfully operate, and Costa Mesa's only gambling exception is the charity bingo article, the practical effect of Chapter II is a citywide ban on card rooms. Section 11-27 confirms the city council's intent to prohibit all such games not otherwise permitted by state general law.