San Jose's Casino M8trix Still Waiting on Permits

Silicon Valley gamblers will be able to ply their trade and cash in chips in style at Casino M8trix.

When the casino finally opens. Someday.

After an April grand opening was delayed because of permitting issues, San Jose police officials have finally scheduled a permit hearing for July 19, after which casino owners may at last have the paperwork they need to open their doors. Or they might not, contributing to further delays, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

A handful of investors spent $50 million to fix up the Garden City Casino card room, one of San Jose's two remaining card rooms, the newspaper reported. The casino, located near the airport and US-101, is expected to draw heavy traffic.

But it's not easy for gambling dens to comply with a "thicket" of local and state regulations, the newspaper reported. City and police officials have not yet issued a permit, and casino officials say that it's taking too long.

Last week, a judge ruled that San Jose was not "abusing its discretion" in delaying issuance of the permit. Meanwhile, hundreds of employees M8trix hired in anticipation of an April opening remain out of work.

The casino received unanimous approval at the City Council in May 2010. Gambling dens currently earn San Jose $14 million annually in revenue.