CaliforniaSB 4512025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Gambling Control Act: investigations.

Sponsored By: Bob Archuleta (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 6 mixed.

High fees to run sports raffles

An eligible organization must register with the Department of Justice to run a major‑league sports raffle. It pays at least $10,000 each year, plus $200 for every raffle. Any vendor that supplies raffle products or services must register and pay $10,000 a year. Raffle ticket systems must be registered and tested by an independent lab. People who conduct the manual draw must register yearly and pay at least $20.

Stronger state gambling investigations and inspections

The state Department of Justice investigates suspected gambling crimes, even off casino grounds. It receives and reviews license applications, monitors operators and affiliates, and must investigate public complaints. With the chief’s approval, agents can make unannounced inspections, place experts on‑site, inspect makers and sellers of gambling gear, and seize and copy records. They can audit on the premises, use inspection warrants, issue subpoenas and take depositions; warrantless entries are allowed with consent, urgent safety, or mobile sites under constitutional limits. The department can start discipline, seek limits, suspensions, revocations, or fines, and make rules to carry out these duties.

Tougher enforcement and hearings for registrants

The department must adopt rules, including emergency rules, and keep a database of all registrants. Local police must notify the department about arrests or investigations that could lead to cases against a registrant. The department may investigate and audit registrants only when the Legislature funds that work, and it can bring civil actions for violations or conduct not in the public interest. Hearings follow the Administrative Procedure Act; the department can seek fines and recover investigation costs, and courts can review decisions. A violation of this section is not a crime.

Clear charity payout and buyer disclosures

Organizers must tell every ticket buyer which nonprofit will get the proceeds. When a raffle supports another nonprofit, all proceeds not paid to winners must be sent to that nonprofit within 15 days. Any prize unclaimed at season’s end must be donated to that nonprofit within 30 days.

Public reports after each sports raffle

Registered groups must post, for each raffle, gross ticket sales, each charity and amount, the prize total, the winning ticket number, and whether the prize was claimed. They must also file a season or year report within 60 days; late or incomplete filings can trigger denied registration or penalties, with 30 days to fix an incomplete report. The department posts these reports on its website, not on the Attorney General’s charity registry.

Game rules posted, review costs repaid

The department reviews and approves how controlled games are played and may set limits. It posts each game’s rules and collection rates on the Attorney General’s website. Licensees who ask for a game‑rule review must repay the department’s actual review costs.

Limits on where raffles can run

A major‑league sports raffle may run only at a home game or at a championship game held at the team’s home venue, and only one raffle per game. Employees may not sell raffle tickets in family‑designated seating sections.

Raffle program fund and startup loan

The department adjusts registration fees so they cover, but do not exceed, its costs. Those fees go into the Major League Sporting Event Raffle Fund. The General Fund provides a one‑time startup loan of up to $1.005 million (no more than $335,000 per year), to be repaid by December 31, 2023, with interest at the state pooled rate. The department may receive money for these costs only if the Legislature appropriates it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Bob Archuleta
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Patrick Ahrens
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 239 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/13/2025

Item 157 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 9/12/2025

Item 1000 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 79 • No: 0

legislature vote • 9/11/2025

Vote in CX07

Yes: 20 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 15 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/25/2025

Vote in CX07

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/4/2025

Item 103 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 39 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 6 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/21/2025