California legal term
controlled game in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “controlled game” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “controlled game” mean in California criminal law?
“controlled game” means any poker or Pai Gow game, and any other game played with cards or tiles, or both, and approved by the Department of Justice, and any game of chance, including any gambling device, played for currency, check, credit, or any other thing of value that is not prohibited and made unlawful by statute or local ordinance. (Cal. Penal Code § 337j)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.