California · Business and Professions Code - BPC

BPC §19941: (a) A person under 21 years of age shall not do any of the following: (1) Play, be allowed to play, place wagers at, or collect winnings from, whether personally or through an agent, a gambling game.

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Persons under 21 may not gamble, work in licensed gambling establishments, use false ID to do so, or loiter in gambling rooms. Violations are misdemeanors for both minors and licensees/employees who knowingly permit violations.

Read the full statutory text
(a) A person under 21 years of age shall not do any of the following: (1) Play, be allowed to play, place wagers at, or collect winnings from, whether personally or through an agent, a gambling game. (2) Be employed as an employee in a licensed gambling establishment, except as provided in Section 19912. (3) Present or offer to a licensee, or to an agent of a licensee, written, printed, or photostatic evidence of age and identity that is false, fraudulent, or not actually the person’s own for the purpose of doing any of the things described in paragraphs (1) and (2). (4) Loiter in or about a room in which a gambling game is operated or conducted. (b) A licensee or employee in a gambling establishment who knowingly violates or knowingly permits the violation of paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a) is guilty of a misdemeanor. (c) A person under 21 years of age who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. (d) Proof that a licensee, or agent or employee of a licensee, demanded, was shown, and acted in reliance upon bona fide evidence of age and identity shall be a defense to any criminal prosecution under this section or to any proceeding for the suspension or revocation of a license or work permit based thereon. For the purposes of this section, “bona fide evidence of age and identity” means a document issued by a federal, state, county, or municipal government, or subdivision or agency thereof, including, but not limited to, a motor vehicle operator’s license or an identification card issued to a member of the Armed Forces, that contains the name, date of birth, description, and picture of the person.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.