[Soviet Exile]

What limits are permitted is controlled by the City. However, in 1996, the Gambling Control Act was passed by the state legislature. It essentially stated that gambling could continue in cities where it had already been permitted by local ordinance (such as Colma) but it could not be "expanded" without a vote of the City's electorate. Based on the news article, it appears that in 1996, when the Gambling Control Act was passed, Colma's ordinance restricted wagers to $200 per hand. After the Gambling Control Act became effective, the City Council passed an ordinance that repealed the $200 per hand limit. The Attorney General believes (rightly it would appear) that the ordinance repealing the $200 per hand limit had the effect of expanding gambling in Colma.

This issue won't effect cardrooms that did not have a local wagering limit in 1996, then this restriction would not apply to them. It seems that all of the Bay Area clubs, except the Palace in Hayward did have such a limit.