\u201cWith these changes, the division of gaming control will continue to ensure the integrity of gaming operations, safeguard public welfare and uphold public confidence in San Jose card rooms,\u201d Kirill Yermanov, gaming administrator with SJPD\u2019s Division of Gaming Control, said during the meeting.<\/p>\n The changes loosen several local gambling regulations with the goal of removing \u201coutdated requirements\u201d and clarifying reporting standards, Yermanov said.<\/p>\n The changes increase the amount of time casinos have to report illegal activity on their property; double the maximum number of betting squares allowed on casino tables from 10 to 20; and remove a limit on the number of tournaments the casinos can hold each year.<\/p>\n They also allow card rooms to offer complimentary or discounted food and beverages to patrons. And they repeal a time limit intended to prevent patrons from spending more than 20 continuous hours inside a casino.<\/p>\n Card room operators embrace new rules<\/p>\n Casino M8trix Vice President and Director Rob Lindo applauded the changes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe appreciate the city of San Jose\u2019s thoughtful approach to reviewing and modernizing its regulations to align them with state standards,\u201d he told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n A representative for Bay 101 declined to comment.<\/p>\n The latest reform proposals were\u00a0originally set to be heard in December<\/a>, but councilmembers delayed the vote twice.<\/p>\n Yermanov said since then, SJPD has conducted more outreach with one of the card rooms. Those conversations have produced additional proposed rule changes, though these proposals remain under review, he said.<\/p>\n Yermanov did not specify which card room participated in those talks, but public records show lobbyists representing Casino M8trix held a series of meetings with several councilmembers and police officials over the past three months.<\/p>\n \u201cWe appreciate the city of San Jose\u2019s thoughtful approach to reviewing and modernizing its regulations to align them with state standards.\u201d<\/p>\n Rob Lindo, Casino M8trix vice president and director<\/p>\n An SJPD spokesperson did not provide further details about the proposals, but told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight further outreach is necessary before they move forward.<\/p>\n The City Council already voted in August to reduce annual fees for each card room from $1 million to $857,000. The vote also cut two civilian positions in SJPD\u2019s division of gaming control. Backers said the changes, which are revenue neutral for the city, simply eliminate local measures that duplicate state enforcement efforts.<\/p>\n Councilmembers have said these revisions to the city\u2019s gaming control laws will help stabilize\u00a0San Jose\u2019s gambling industry<\/a>, after it was\u00a0dealt a major setback in 2021<\/a>\u00a0when state regulators\u00a0blocked a voter-backed effort to expand local card rooms<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen businesses make new investments in the City of San Jose, which has a chronic job to housing imbalance, it is essential we act fairly and strike a balance between being pro-business and securing money to fund critical city services,\u201d a June memo laying out the reform agenda authored by Councilmembers Bien Doan, Pamela Campos and George Casey reads.<\/p>\n Contact Keith Menconi at\u00a0keith@sanjosespotlight.com\u00a0or @KeithMenconi on X.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1770689650_547_LNM-20250616-SJSPOTLIGHTLOGO-01.jpg\")
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