Expanded gambling approved

The commission agreed to renew Lucky Chances’ license if it reduced its wagering to a maximum amount of $200 per bet per poker game, $200 per betting slot per Asian game and maintains a wagering limit that is legally authorized under the current local ordinance, said commission spokeswoman Anna Carr.

Lucky Chances was granted a three-month extension — and not a complete renewal — after its last appearance before the commission in February because questions arose about how much people were allowed to bet per game. Lucky Chances has been allowing illegal unlimited betting for the last seven years despite a warning from the state. Last year, it was forced to comply and skated around the issue by adding up to 60 betting slots per Asian game. Each slot has a limit of $200. The combination created virtually unlimited betting.

Yesterday’s decision did not address how many slots could be allowed on each table.

On April 11, Colma voters overwhelmingly approved limitless betting. The decision violates current state law, but allows the city to maintain one of its major revenue sources. Gambling revenue from Lucky Chances provides one-third of the town’s budget. With some of that money, the city is able to provide the city’s some 600 residents with free cable television.

The voters’ decision to allow unlimited betting may also help those arguing in favor of Senate Bill 1198, which seeks to allow cities to expand betting limits on their own accord without state approval. The current law states card room expansion is prohibited in any city that did not specifically grant expansion before July 1, 1996. The betting cap expires in 2010 unless it is extended again.

Colma actually removed limits in Jan. 1, 1998 and was acting in violation of the state law for seven years. However, its lobbyist, Michael Frachetti, argued the city believed it was operating in full compliance. On July 29, 2005, the state Division of Gambling Control in the Attorney General’s Office sent a letter to Lucky Chances stating it continued to be in violation of the law.

Lucky Chances appeared to be gaining the favor of the state Gambling Control Commission at its December hearing until an attorney for Artichoke Joe’s, the card room in San Bruno, dropped a bombshell about the council-approved "multiple betting slots.”

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.<