San Jose delays Vote on Casino Regulations Again

For the second time in as many weeks, San Jose officials postponed a vote on a proposal to loosen regulations for the city’s two casinos.

Supporters state the package of five rule changes represents the final step in a reform effort launched in June. This effort aims to reduce the administrative burden on Casino M8trix and Casino Bay 101. They believe the new rules will foster a fairer regulatory environment for casinos, which contribute tens of millions of dollars in taxes annually to the city – without compromising public safety.

In August,the City council already approved reforms that lowered the annual fees casinos pay to the city. Council members maintain thes revisions to gambling laws are a necessary response to a 2021 decision by state regulators that blocked a voter-backed effort to expand local gambling halls.

“As businesses make new investments in the city of San Jose, which has a chronic imbalance between jobs and housing, it is indeed essential that we act fairly and strike a balance between being pro-business and securing money to fund critical city services,” reads a June memo from Councilmembers Bien Doan, Pamela Campos, and George Casey outlining the reform agenda.

The latest reform proposals were scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday but have been postponed until February 3.

The cause of the delay remains unclear. The city manager’s office directed inquiries to the San Jose Police Department,a key agency reviewing the city’s gaming policies. A spokesperson for the SJPD indicated the department did not request the postponement.