Gambling Industry
History and Background
California's gambling industry was essentially unregulated
prior to 1998. In 1984, the Legislature enacted the "Gaming
Registration Act," which required the Attorney General's office
to provide uniform, minimum regulation of California card rooms.
In 1997, the Legislature enacted the “Gambling Control Act” to
provide broader oversight of California’s gambling industry.
(Chapter 867, Statutes of 1997).
In March 2000, California voters passed Proposition 1A to amend
the Constitution and authorize the governor, with the approval
of the legislature, to negotiate and conclude compacts for the
operation of slot machines, lottery games and banking and
percentage card games by federally recognized Indian tribes on
Indian lands. It is important to note that the tribe and the
state share a joint interest in ensuring that tribal gaming
activities are free from criminal and other undesirable
elements. The State is responsible for certifying each Tribe
maintains on-site regulation of gaming operations and all
aspects of the compact.
