Glendale, CA Gambling & Gaming: Card Room Licensing (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- GMC Chapter 9.12, Gambling
- Core rule
- All for-money gaming banned citywide
- Only exception
- Licensed bingo under Ch. 5.28
- Card room licensing
- None; no Gambling Control Act ordinance
- Presence alone
- Separately criminalized (Sec. 9.12.030)
Summary
Glendale bans playing, operating or hosting any game for money or valuables anywhere in the city, with no local licensing path for card rooms; the city has adopted no authorizing ordinance under the state Gambling Control Act, leaving only state-exempt bingo and specific state-permitted games untouched.
No person shall within the limits of the city play at or conduct, operate, open or carry on any game whatsoever for money, property or any article of value; provided, that this section shall not apply to acts prohibited by Sections 330 to 337h of the State Penal Code and acts permitted by Chapter 5.28 and Section 326.5 of the State Penal Code.
Full Breakdown
12 (Gambling) makes it unlawful under Sec. 5, which govern licensed charitable bingo. Sec. 020 extends liability to anyone who owns, rents or controls a house or room and permits a prohibited game to be played, conducted, dealt or carried on there, again subject to the same bingo carve-out. Sec. 030 goes further than most local gambling ordinances by criminalizing mere presence: no person may visit or remain in any room or place in the city where a prohibited game is being carried on, regardless of whether they are playing.
) that would let a card room operate under state oversight, there is no lawful path to run a poker or card room in the city. 28 for eligible nonprofit organizations, a narrow charitable exception that does not extend to any commercial card room, cardroom-style business or house-banked game.
Violations & Fines
Playing, conducting, operating or opening any game for money or valuables anywhere in Glendale violates Sec. 9.12.010. Owning, renting or controlling a room where such a game is carried on violates Sec. 9.12.020. Simply visiting or remaining in a room where a prohibited game is underway violates Sec. 9.12.030, exposing even a spectator to the same default misdemeanor penalty under Sec. 1.20.010(A): up to $1,000 and six months in jail, since none of these three sections appear on the reduced-infraction list in Sec. 1.20.010(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a card room legally operate in Glendale, California?
Is it illegal to just watch a poker game at someone's house in Glendale?
Does Glendale allow any gambling at all?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
California rules heatmap·Compare Glendale to another location·View the California gambling & gaming overview
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Card Room Licensing in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle card room licensing.