Bay Area Poker Room to Stay Open and in the Family

One of the San Francisco Bay Area's legendary card clubs will remain in the hands of the family who run the cardroom, thanks to a recent decision by the Hayward City Council. Faced with the threat of having to close down due to an anti-gambling law passed over 25 years ago, current owner Katherine Bousson petitioned to have the club remain open as long as it was run by members of the family.

Bousson, who is 79, healthy, and still adamant about running the 24-hour poker club, was thrilled when the city council decided to amend the law and allow her children to take over the business when she passes away. According to the outdated anti-gambling law, the club was to close when the current owners died. The downtown club is currently run by Bousson's daughter, Cathy Aganon, who has been the poker club's manager for the last 23 years.

Despite recent heated debates over whether the club should stay or go after Bousson's passing, Hayward City Council members voted 5-2 to allow Bousson to transfer club ownership to her three children. Bousson and family have run the club since her husband, Richard Bousson, died in an auto accident in 1968.

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