The City has been grappling with proposed changes to Title 16 for over two years. Title 16 covers the regulations of card rooms. The 125-page document reads like a novel. Although the State of California oversees gambling facilities, San Jose has it’s own regulations for two gambling facilities, which are Bay 101 and Garden City. Some say this is duplicitous since another level of government regulates this type of legal business. Others say the state does not regulate closely enough.
The City Auditor came out with a report last April that showcased some of the issues within the regulations, with an emphasis on the permitting process of employees. The process for prospective employees in getting a job can be frustrating due to how long it has historically taken to get a background check. This background process is done for a fee so it is cost-recovery for the police department.
One example of something that could change is when a counterfeit bill is discovered. If the counterfeit bill is discovered in any other business in San Jose, the Secret Service is called because this is one of their duties. However, if it happens at a card club, a police officer must drive out to the card club and respond accordingly. My guess is the Secret Service has more background on counterfeit bills than an individual police department.
The oddest part of last week’s Public Safety & Strategic Support Committee meeting, where this issue was discussed, was when it was discovered that the gaming administrator who oversees the card clubs was not at the meeting. I do not recall a person so integral to a discussion being absent. When asked about where this person was, the answer was that this person is not here. A further question determined that this person was not ill or traveling but just not at the meeting. Upon further questioning, it was finally revealed that there was a pending lawsuit and they did not want this person to speak in public.
In addition to the many unresolved questions, plus the gaming administrator not being at the meeting, the committee decided to continue the item until the December scheduled meeting.
In the meantime, if you want to partake in some other gaming, check out Bingo this Wednesday night at the Billy De Frank center on The Alameda.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
—George Washington, Oct 3, 1789