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California casino may face more obstacles

CALIFORNIA – As reported by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat: "Federal regulators are signaling a change in climate for off-reservation casinos that could make it much tougher to build a proposed gambling facility south of Petaluma.

"A high-ranking official of the U.S. Interior Department recently advised 35 tribes nationwide, including the Sonoma County's Dry Creek Rancheria, to reconsider pursuing new casinos because of anticipated higher hurdles for gambling projects.

"The Pomo tribe owns River Rock Casino on its 75-acre rancheria in Alexander Valley, but it has applied to build a second casino on 277 acres it owns south of Petaluma, next to Highway 101, opposite Kastania Road.

"The proposal has provoked strong opposition from county and Petaluma officials. Petaluma voters in November came out overwhelmingly against the casino, with 80 percent of those voting agreeing that local officials should lobby against it.

"… Commenting on the tribe's proposal for the Petaluma casino, federal regulators said they share concerns that many, including members of Congress, have expressed with off-reservation gambling and so-called 'reservation shopping.'…"

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