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Inventory of the Gambling Control Commission Records
R402
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Table of contents
Title: Gambling Control Commission Records
Dates: 2000-2006
Collection number: R402
Creator:
Gambling Control Commission
Collection Size:
8.5 cubic feet of textual records
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: Chapter 867 (
Statutes of 1997, Chapter 867), commonly known as the Gambling Control Act, abolished the Gambling Control Board (within the Department
of Justice, Division of Gambling Control) and created the California Gambling Control Commission (GCC) under the executive
branch, effective January 1, 1999. The records of the GCC consist of 8.5 cubic feet of textual records reflecting the agency’s
administration of California’s gambling industry. The records are dated from 2000 to 2006, and include two record series,
Meeting File and Subject Files.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
[Identification of item], Gambling Control Commission Records, R402.[series number], [box and folder number], California State
Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
Acquisition and Custodial History
The California State Archives acquired the Gambling Control Commission Records through a series of agency transfers according
to state law.
Chapter 867 (
Statutes of 1997, Chapter 867), commonly known as the Gambling Control Act, abolished the Gambling Control Board (within the Department
of Justice, Division of Gambling Control) and created the California Gambling Control Commission (GCC) under the executive
branch, effective January 1, 1999. In addition to taking over the Board’s regulatory and licensing oversight of all gaming
establishments in the state, the Commission was also given authority over all operations and employment related to these establishments.
The five Commission members were to be appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, and were to serve terms
of four years.
In October 1999, AB1385 (
Statutes of 1999, Chapter 874), the Indian Gaming Revenue Sharing Trust Fund was created within the State Treasury for the “deposit
of moneys derived from gaming device license fees that are paid into the fund pursuant to the terms of tribal-state gaming
compacts for the purpose of making distributions to non-compact tribes.” There was also created the Indian Gaming Special
Distribution Fund (formalized by Executive Order D-66-03 in January 2003), the primary purpose of which was to compensate
for any shortfalls in the Trust Fund.
In March 2000, voters approved Proposition 1A, an amendment to the California Constitution. This proposition permitted Californians
to engage in Class III (“Nevada style”) gambling on Indian lands so long as the tribe has an authorized Tribal-State Gaming
Compact. Executive Orders D-29-01 and D-31-01 (March 2001) conferred authority on the Commission to oversee the collection
and distribution of the Indian Gaming Revenue Sharing Trust Fund. The Division of Gambling Control (Department of Justice)
was imbued with the responsibility of ensuring that tribal gaming businesses are compliant with the compact.
By 2003, the Commission had become the designated Trustee for the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund and the Administrator for the
Special Distribution Fund while maintaining their existing responsibilities for licensing of employees and businesses as well
as providing oversight to operations. The Commission works closely with the Bureau of Gambling Control (Department of Justice),
the state law enforcement authority with special jurisdiction over gambling activities within the State.
The Commission has maintained a fairly stable structure with the organization generally divided into areas of support/administration,
legislation/regulation, licensing, and legal/compliance. The Commission also established, by mandate, the Gaming Policy Advisory
Committee, comprised of ten members, who meet to discuss relevant regulatory policy and make recommendations to the Commission.
The records of the Gambling Control Commission (GCC) consist of 8.5 cubic feet of textual records reflecting the agency’s
administration of California’s gambling industry. The records are dated from 2000 to 2006, and include two record series.
The Meeting Files (2000-2006) make up the bulk of the collection and document the Commission’s work during its first years,
both before and after it gained responsibility for oversight of tribal-state gaming compacts. Regulatory topics revolve around
the authority and powers of the Commission; definitions and eligibility criteria for equipment, procedures, and personnel;
and distribution of funds to tribes. There is a gap in the records from September 2004 to January 2006; the files are otherwise
largely complete through December 2006. A full list of meeting dates can be found in Appendix A.
The Subject Files (2001-2002) contain only two files, both of which pertain to the distribution of moneys from the two Indian
Gaming Funds that the Commission manages.
Note to the researcher: As of this writing (June 2015), agendas and minutes for every Commission meeting from the time period
2000-2006 is available on their website.
Further accruals are expected.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Indian gambling
Gambling
Casinos
Licenses - California