Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "gambling"

City Council rejects possibility of a fifth cardroom license

2011-09-21T06:22:38Z

The City Council voted 5-3 against allowing a fifth cardroom license within city limits Tuesday.

“The question is simply: Do we want 15 more tables of gaming somewhere in the city?” asked Councilman Rob Fong before the vote. “For me, the answer is no.”

Sacramento city code currently allows a maximum of four licenses – all four of which are held by open cardrooms in the city.

Bill Hamilton, owner of the Old Tavern Bar and Grill in Midtown, used to have a cardroom license in the late 1990’s but let it lapse.

The Gambling Control Commission recently adopted a regulation to allow some expired and inactive cardroom licenses to be reactivated under certain conditions.

Gambling licenses in the state expire if they are not renewed every two years, or they can become inactive if a license holder fails to make required quarterly “table operation” fees.

One of the conditions to reactivate an expired license is proving to the commission that the cardroom would be legal under local law. As it stands in Sacramento, the legal limit has been reached for number of allowable cardrooms.

Of all the expired or inactive licences in the state, the commission found only nine licenses in California that met the criteria for reactivation – and just one of those is in Sacramento.

It belongs to Hamilton.

Even though Hamilton is eligible to reactivate the license, he can’t do it unless the city code is changed to increase the maximum number of cardrooms in the city.

The Law and Legislation committee reviewed the current cardroom ordinance Aug. 16 and referred the question of increasing the limit to the full City Council for a decision.

Clark Rosa, owner of Capitol Casino on 16th Street, said Tuesday that when he and Hamilton heard of the new state regulation, they decided to collaborate on opening a new cardroom downtown if the city license ordinance was changed in Hamilton’s favor.

“I will operate, fund it and run it,” Rosa said, “and Bill (Hamilton) will have a portion of it.”

Initially, Rosa said, he and Hamilton were considering locating the new cardroom in a space at 15th and L Streets, near de Vere’s Pub across from the Capitol.

That idea changed, Rosa said, after taking a closer look at opportunities near the 700 and 800 blocks of K Street.

“We’re looking at downtown and only downtown now,” Rosa said. “We don’t want to be anywhere else.”

Specifically, Rosa and Hamilton had their eyes on a corner space at the Westfield Downtown Plaza that used to house the Hard Rock Cafe.

“They’re putting in bars, restaurants, housing and businesses,” Rosa said about redevelopment efforts underway along those city blocks.

“What you’re looking at is an entertainment center for Sacramento,” Rosa said. “What better than a cardroom and sports bar combination right there?”

Seven people made pubic comment on the proposed ordinance change at the council meeting Tuesday – and not all of them were as enthusiastic as Rosa about having a cardroom downtown.

“I want to be clear that I am against (a fifth cardroom),” Sacramento homeowner Clint Trocchio, told council members.

“It is not synonymous with any urban renewal program that I can recall,” Trocchio said. “It’s not a business activity that I would attach to Sacramento’s excellent urban reputation, and it’s not a storefront that I would show to my guests.”

Shelby Moranville, a representative of the Residence Inn at 15th and L streets – near Rosa and Hamilton’s initial location choice – warned council members about the potential for increased crime if another cardroom is opened in the city.

“(Cardrooms) attract a certain element of crime and that can’t be avoided,” Moranville said. “For every dollar the city makes from another cardroom, 95 cents will be spent policing the venue.”

Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel, who appeared at Tuesday’s meeting to give council an update on police department activities, was called on by council members to respond to concerns about cardroom-related crime.

Braziel told council members that local grocery stores have a greater number of police service calls than all four of the current cardrooms combined – nearly 10 times as many.

“The crime volume (associated with cardrooms) is very very low,” Braziel said. “In the past nine months, there was 19-34 calls between the four cardrooms. Grocery stores go from 42-400 in a single year.”

Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said she thinks the fifth license and a new cardroom would be a great opportunity for jobs downtown.

“We have so much coming in to create a unique entertainment center downtown,” Ashby said. “For me, this is about jobs. (Rosa and Hamilton) are not asking us for one red penny – they are asking us to give them the opportunity to continue to do a good job (running a cardroom).”

As the discussion continued, council members expressed the greatest concern about the potential location of a new cardroom.

Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy said she had “serious heartburn” about the proposed Westfield Downtown Plaza location.

“I think of malls as a family-oriented place,” Sheedy said. “I don’t think a cardroom fits there.”

Council members Rob Fong, Sheedy, Kevin McCarty, Darrell Fong and Bonnie Pannell voted against the proposed ordnance change, leaving the current license limit in place.

Council members Ashby, Steve Cohn, and Jay Schenirer were in favor of changing the ordinance. Mayor Kevin Johnson was absent from the meeting Tuesday.

Without the possibility of a fifth cardroom license in the city, Hamilton cannot pursue reactivation of the expired license he previously held.

After the meeting, Rosa said he was disappointed with the council’s decision.

“That’s the end of it,” Rosa said. “Before (Hamilton and I) could work on getting the (cardroom) license, we first had to get past this hurdle.”

Rosa said they will not be pursuing an appeal to council to change the decision.

Melissa Corker is a Staff Reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

Dice is Back

2011-04-28T09:35:38Z

God may not play dice, but young adults in Sacramento do. An increasingly common site at parties, concerts and anywhere else lively friends gather is a small group leaning in at the circle they have created, usually accompanied by whoops and laughter, as someone is always winning in dice.

all-about-dice.com cites dice as the oldest known gaming instrument on earth, having existed with the Native Americans and also imported to the United States with almost every other ethnicity.

Playing or gambling with dice as the only object in the game is growing in popularity, almost always with several crumpled $1 bills piled alongside. As a social 23-year-old college student, I see my fair share of people enjoying their off time, and it seems that recently young adults are rekindling this timeless tradition.

One of the most popular dice games is called Cee-Lo, a very simple game of luck, brought over long ago with Chinese immigrants. This easy and exciting game has become the dice game of choice in Sacramento and has many people peering into its circle of chance. The results are young adults in an atmosphere that closely resembles children playing Chutes and Ladders. This rambunctious scene is found anywhere from parties to street sidewalks.

It is easy, fun and usually does not cost much. Games are often only $1 a round, so at worst, this quick bout of fun and friendly gambling may leave someone with a few dollars in the hole, a faster heart rate and a good time.

It's Your Chance for Fun & Games -- “Casino Royale on the River”!

2011-04-04T19:35:30Z

Feeling lucky?

The Historic Old Sacramento Foundation (HOSF) is proud to present “Casino Royale on the River: Where Old Sacramento Meets Monte Carlo” aboard the Empress Hornblower at Old Sacramento’s waterfront on Friday evening, June 10, from 6-9 p.m. With at atmosphere filled with excitement, guests will be immersed in a full casino experience on three decks brimming with fun, food, entertainment and adventure.

Spirited guests are encouraged to arrive in black tie optional or historic attire and will be greeted by the Captain of the ship, music of the Gold Rush era and a glass of Sacramento’s new signature drink, The Gold Rush. While enjoying a leisurely cruise up the Sacramento River, guests will have the opportunity to learn 1850s-type gambling games such as Three Card Monte, Shut the Box, Faro and more. Each floor of the Empress offers a unique and lively experience: 1850s-style gambling on the first floor casino; the second floor offers the opportunity to delight in the taste of James Bond cuisine; and the third deck offers guests with the memorable chance to dance under the stars on the modern rooftop lounge.

Event tickets are available now and can be purchased by calling 916-808-7059, online at www.HistoricOldSac.org, or by visiting the Sacramento History Museum at 101 I Street. On the evening of the event, guests board the Empress Hornblower on the L Street Dock at 1206 Front Street, behind the Delta King Hotel (the Empress sails promptly at 7:15 p.m.).

All proceeds support the educational and interpretive programs of the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation which has been delivering quality historical programming exhibitions since 1985.

About the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation
The Historic Old Sacramento Foundation (HOSF) is a 501(c)3 public benefit corporation. Old Sacramento is a living historic district. The mission of HOSF is to convey the importance of historic Sacramento as a place that connects our past to our present and future through engaging and entertaining events, activities and programs. More information is available at www.historicoldsac.org.

Traci Rockefeller Cusack represents a number of organizations throughout the greater Sacramento region including the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation.

Gold Rush Gambling

2009-08-20T03:54:18Z

Sacramento gamblers tired of driving to Las Vegas to get their gaming fix can breathe a sigh of relief. The Sacramento History Museum is bringing the games to Old Sac with the first-ever Gold Rush Gambling Day. Although the dealers may be playing Three Card Monte instead of Texas Hold 'Em and the sinning might give way to educational outreach, it still promises to be a fun day.

The event, which will be held on Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Sacramento History Museum (101 I St.), is one of the weekend events that the museum holds every second and fourth Saturday. It is expected to last about one hour.

The day will begin with a lecture about Gold Rush-era gambling games and life in the typical saloon by one of the museum's docents. This will be followed by an opportunity to give the games a try, although the official game list will depend on the day's attendance.

Although this is the first time the museum has had a formal Gold Rush Gambling Day, the museum has held numerous gambling activities.

"We've had classes before, and we've had events at the Gold Rush Days event which is coming up," said Janessa West, a museum educator at the Sacramento History Museum.

Citizens hoping to participate will simply have to pay the normal entrance fee, which is $4 for youth and $5 for adults. But West certainly didn't want the fee to discourage potential attendees. "If you like to gamble, if you like to play cards, then this is a great way to learn the roots of many of the games we play today," she said. Besides, it's a lot cheaper than Vegas.

Riverboat Gambling on the Delta King

2009-06-01T20:14:34Z

On June 5, the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation will host a Riverboat Casino Night on board the Delta King Riverboat, providing a colorful look at the world of the riverboat gambler. This event will feature authentic 1850s games of chance, including Chuck-A-Luck, Faro and Shut the Box, as well as more familiar games like poker and roulette. Also featured are a silent auction, live music and entertainment, and food and drink, all appropriate to the Gold Rush era. Re-enactors in period attire will add to the atmosphere of the event. While period attire is not required for those who attend, it is encouraged. Several stores in Old Sacramento, including Sacramento Dry Goods on Second and I Street, specialize in historic styles of clothing for those wishing to attend in full 19th century finery.

The event is a fundraiser for the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation and the Sacramento History Museum. Last year, the Sacramento History Museum split from the Discovery Museum and became part of the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation. Part of the change involves a dramatic renovation of the museum’s first floor, but part involves raising public awareness of the Museum with events like the Riverboat Casino Night. According to Museum public relations specialist Lindsey Meyers, “In the past our events have not necessarily tied in with Sacramento history, and that is exactly what we are trying to change. We want to focus on Sacramento history and the river is a huge part of how we became a city.” In order to highlight the evening’s focus as an educational event, authenticity and historic accuracy are the number one priority. “Even the food is historically accurate,” said Meyers. If the event proves successful, it could become an annual event on board the Delta King. As Sacramento’s last authentic riverboat, the Delta King provides an ideal site for an evening of Gold Rush era gambling and entertainment.

Riverboat Casino Night takes place on Friday, June 5, and starts at 6:00 PM on the Delta King Riverboat in Old Sacramento. Tickets cost $45 for Historic Old Sacramento Foundation members, $50 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased by calling (916)264-7059 or by visiting the Sacramento History Museum at 101 I Street. Guests must be 21 years of age or older. All proceeds will help support the exhibits and programs at the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation’s Sacramento History Museum.