SEARCH NEWS:

 

California Casino Still Faces Obstacles

BARSTOW, California -- As reported by Victor Valley Daily Press: "Although a contract for the proposed Indian casino has been approved, a few more hurdles and some questions remain.

"One question is what will happen if the Los Coyotes Band of Indians joins with another tribe as a partner on the Barstow casino project; details on that possibility are hard to come by.

"Paul Luellig said Thursday afternoon he had heard about the possibility of the Los Coyotes forming a partnership for the casino with an unidentified Northern California tribe.

"… Then, at Thursday evening's meeting about the agreement, former council member Manuel Gurule sought information about the possibility of a partnership. He said an official at the governor's office told him there was another tribe involved.

"… Mayor Lawrence Dale, in response, said that he's not aware of any agreements other than the municipal services agreement. Nobody else volunteered any information about the possibility of a partnership.

"Later that night, council members voted 4-0 to pass the municipal services agreement with the tribe.

"…Few people at the meeting argued that the municipal services agreement doesn't adequately protect Barstow. Most comments focused on positive and negative aspects of casinos and gambling in general, and did not address specific components of the draft contract.

"…Other residents at the meeting also suggested putting the casino issue on the ballot, although the pro-casino speakers outnumbered the anti-casino speakers.

"…Before the casino can be built, it still needs state and federal approval…"

< Gaming News