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Individuals who operated a licensed cardroom or provided proposition player services in California between Jan. 1, 2005, and May 12, 2020, may be eligible to claim a share of a class action settlement.
The California Gambling Control Commission and the Bureau of Gambling Control agreed to pay $43.3 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging they collected regulatory fees from cardrooms and proposition player providers that exceeded what California law allowed.
Who can file a claim?
Eligible class members must meet all of the following criteria:
- The California Gambling Control Commission registered them as a cardroom or proposition player provider at any time between Jan. 1, 2005, and May 12, 2020.
- They paid regulatory fees as a cardroom or proposition player provider during that period.
The following definitions apply:
- Cardrooms: Non-tribal cardroom gambling establishments in California that the commission licensed or registered
- Proposition player providers: Third-party providers of proposition player services to cardrooms in California that the commission licensed or registered
- Regulatory fees: Annual fees required under business and professions code section 19951 (for cardrooms) or section 19984 (for proposition player providers)
Former owners or operators may receive a notice, but the right to participate may belong to later owners or others with a legal interest in the business.
How much can class members receive?
The total settlement fund is $43,300,000, but the settlement administrator will reduce this amount by administrative costs, attorneys’ fees and costs, and service awards to class representatives before distributing it to claimants.
Eligible class members who submit valid claims will receive a pro rata share of the net settlement fund based on the amount of regulatory fees they paid during the class period. The amount each class member receives cannot exceed the total regulatory fees they actually paid during the class period.
How to claim a settlement payment
Class members can submit the claim form included with their settlement notice or download and print the PDF claim form (pages 57-60 of the settlement notice) and mail or email it to the settlement administrator. They may also request a claim form from the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Lucky Chances v State of California Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2468, Portland, OR 97208-2468
Settlement administrator's email address: info@GamblingFeeSettlement.com
The deadline to submit a claim is 60 days from the date the settlement administrator mailed or emailed the settlement notice.
What proof or documentation is required to submit a claim?
Claimants must:
- Sign the claim form under penalty of perjury
- Provide a completed IRS Form W-9
Those who claim to have paid more in fees than the amount the commission listed must submit conclusive documentary evidence (such as bank statements, canceled checks or receipts).
Dissolved or inactive entities must provide a plan of dissolution or proof of revivor.
Former owners or operators must provide evidence of their legal right to claim.
Payout options
The settlement administrator will mail checks to the address class members provide on their claim form. Claimants must cash their checks within 180 days or the administrator will send the funds to the California controller’s unclaimed property fund.
$43.3 million settlement fund breakdown
The $43,300,000 settlement fund covers:
- Settlement administration costs: To be determined
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $14,433,319
- Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $25,000
- Service awards to class representatives: Up to $2,500 each for 10 representatives ($250,000 total)
- Payments to eligible class members: Remaining net settlement amount
Important dates
- Final approval hearing: Dec. 4, 2026
- Deadline to file a claim: 60 days from the date the settlement administrator sent the settlement notice
When is the Lucky Chances v. State of California payout date?
The settlement administrator will distribute payments about 25 days after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval to the settlement.
Why is there a class action settlement?
The class action lawsuit alleged the California Gambling Control Commission and the Bureau of Gambling Contro; collected regulatory fees from cardrooms and proposition player providers between Jan. 1, 2005, and May 12, 2020, that exceeded the amounts the California constitution and other applicable laws allowed.
The defendants denied any wrongdoing or liability but agreed to settle to avoid the risks and costs of continued litigation.
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