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

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

Key Facts

Permitting agency
Merced County Sheriff
Countywide table cap
2 tables
Per-establishment cap
5 tables
Minimum age
18 years
Max daily operating hours
18 hours
First-table quarterly fee
$100 (fee tables) / $20 (free tables)
Misdemeanor penalty
Up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail

Summary

Anyone furnishing card tables to the public in unincorporated Merced County needs a Sheriff's permit before opening. The county caps operations at two gambling tables countywide and five tables per establishment, bars anyone under 18 from entering, and limits daily play to 18 hours unless further restricted.

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

Every person who maintains a place where tables are furnished to the public for the purpose of playing cards or games shall be considered to be engaged in a business requiring a permit from the sheriff of Merced County. The permit required by this section shall be in addition to any other licenses or permits required by any governmental agency for any business conducted on the premises.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4930839; v8 updated 2026-06-02).

Full Breakdown

020), on top of any other business license. 030). 040). 070). 120). 130). 140).

Violations & Fines

Operating a cardroom without a Sheriff's permit, exceeding the two-table countywide or five-table per-establishment cap, or letting anyone under 18 into the premises is a misdemeanor under Section 6.08.090, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both. Every day the violation continues is a separate offense. The Sheriff can also deny, suspend or revoke a permit for poor character or fitness findings, subject to appeal to the Board of Supervisors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to run a cardroom in unincorporated Merced County?
Yes. Section 6.08.020 makes it unlawful to maintain a place where tables are furnished to the public for cards or games without a permit from the county Sheriff, in addition to any other business license the county or state requires for the premises.
How many cardrooms can operate in the unincorporated county?
Section 6.08.130 caps Merced County at two gambling tables total across the entire unincorporated area, and no single licensed establishment may operate more than five tables at once, regardless of demand or lot size.
Can minors go into a Merced County cardroom?
No. Section 6.08.060 makes it unlawful for anyone under 18 to enter or remain in a public cardroom, and Section 6.08.070 separately makes it unlawful for the proprietor to allow it, so both the minor and the operator can be cited.
What happens if a cardroom violates the county ordinance?
Section 6.08.090 makes any violation a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in county jail, or both, with each day of continued violation charged as a separate offense on top of possible permit suspension.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Merced County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All Merced County rules

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