Yolo County, CA Gambling & Gaming: Card Room Licensing (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing authority
- Sheriff-Coroner, Board approval required
- Annual license fee
- $252.00 per card table
- Required bond
- $1,000
- License cap
- 1 per 20,000 residents
- Closed hours
- 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Exempt groups
- Fraternal, veterans', church, farm groups
Summary
Yolo County allows card rooms in the unincorporated area only under a Sheriff-Coroner license approved by the Board of Supervisors, capped at one license per 20,000 residents and closed between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
For the purposes of this chapter, “card room” shall mean any place where games of cards are played and to which the public is invited to participate in card games with or without the payment of consideration. ... No person shall operate or conduct a card room, nor participate in the business of operating or conducting a card room, unless he holds a valid and subsisting license to do so duly issued by the Sheriff-Coroner upon approval of the Board. ... No card room licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall operate between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Supplement 2026 S-21 includes: Local legislation current through Ord. 1584, effective June 25, 2026).
Full Breakdown
03 makes it unlawful to operate or even participate in the business of a card room without one. 02 is any place where card games are played and the public is invited to participate, with or without payment. 1 caps the total supply: one license for each 20,000 residents (or fraction) of the unincorporated territory, and no more than one card room per address. , when card rooms must be closed. 07 to guarantee compliance. 06 exempts fraternal and veterans' organizations, lodges, church groups, and farm associations running card games for members or bona fide guests.
13) if conditions are violated, the license was obtained by fraud, the operator lacks good moral character, minors are allowed to frequent the room, the room is not genuinely open to the public during play, or it is run in a disorderly manner.
Violations & Fines
Operating a card room without a Sheriff-Coroner license, running one outside licensed hours, or violating license conditions can trigger a 15-day suspension by the Sheriff-Coroner and outright revocation by the Board under Section 5-2.14. Because Title 5 has no chapter-specific penalty, the Section 1-2.01 general misdemeanor penalty applies: up to $500 and/or six months in County Jail, with each day of violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone open a card room in unincorporated Yolo County?
What hours can a Yolo County card room stay open?
How much does a Yolo County card room license cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California gambling & gaming overview
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