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El Dorado County, CA Gambling & Gaming: Card Room Licensing (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing chapter
Chapter 9.45, Cardrooms (Sec. 9.45.010-9.45.170)
Table cap
10 gaming tables per licensed cardroom
License cap
1 cardroom per 7,500 County residents
Approval body
Board of Supervisors, after public hearing
Age limit
No one under 21 at a table
Revocation fine
Up to $10,000 per violation, in lieu

Summary

El Dorado County allows cardrooms only under a County Sheriff-issued license, capped at ten gaming tables per cardroom and one cardroom for every 7,500 residents countywide. Chapter 9.45 requires State gambling registration, a work permit for every employee, and Board of Supervisors approval after a public hearing before any cardroom can open.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of El Dorado County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

It is the intent of this chapter to regulate cardrooms in the unincorporated area of the County concurrently with the State... It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in, carry on, maintain or conducted... any cardroom unless...That person has obtained and maintains a valid cardroom license from the County pursuant to the provisions of this chapter...A.Tables. Not more than ten gaming tables shall be permitted in any cardroom.B.Cardrooms. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the Board shall deny every cardroom application that would cause the number of cardroom licenses in the County to exceed the ratio of one cardroom for each 7,500 persons in the County, according to the most recent Federal census or special census conducted under the supervision of the State Department of Finance.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 4).

Full Breakdown

45, the Cardroom Ordinance, regulates poker rooms in the unincorporated County concurrently with the State's Gambling Control Act. 030 makes it unlawful to operate a cardroom without a County license, current standing with the license terms, valid State Department of Justice registration or licensure, and County zoning compliance under Title 130. 060. 080 hard-caps every cardroom at ten gaming tables and limits the County to one cardroom license for each 7,500 residents based on the most recent census, though existing cardrooms that predate a drop below that ratio may keep operating.

110, displayed on their outer garment during shifts. if served on-site, no house credit or loans to patrons, and mandatory posted signage on age limits, hours, and house rules.

Violations & Fines

The Board can suspend or revoke a cardroom license or work permit for false statements, State license suspension, or any Chapter 9.45 violation, or impose an administrative fine of up to $10,000.00 per violation in lieu of revocation under Section 9.45.160. Separately, Section 9.45.170 makes any violation of the chapter a misdemeanor under the Chapter 1.24 general penalty, with each day of a continuing violation charged as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone open a cardroom in El Dorado County?
No. Section 9.45.030 requires a County cardroom license, current State Department of Justice registration or license, and County zoning compliance before operating. Section 9.45.080 also caps the County at one license for every 7,500 residents and ten gaming tables per cardroom, so licenses are limited even for otherwise qualified applicants.
How many tables can a licensed cardroom operate?
No more than ten gaming tables, under Section 9.45.080(A), and no more than ten players may sit at any one table at a time under Section 9.45.150(C). The Board of Supervisors can add further table or hour restrictions as conditions of approval when it grants the license.
Do cardroom employees need their own permit?
Yes. Section 9.45.110 requires every cardroom employee, including dealers, floor staff, security, and surveillance personnel, to hold an individual work permit issued by the Sheriff, which must be worn visibly on the employee's outer garment during working hours. Employing someone without one is itself unlawful.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in El Dorado County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All El Dorado County rules

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