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California Tribe Focused on Merced County

CALIFORNIA – As reported by the Modesto Bee: "The California Valley Miwok tribe is focused only on western Merced County near Los Banos as a spot for a new casino.

"Members of the tribe this announced their 10-point 'Pledge of Cooperation' with city and county officials, and presented a report that identifies the Miwok as originating in or around the county.

"…The 12-member Miwok tribe tried earlier this year to build a casino in San Benito County. When negotiations fell apart, the tribe's financial backer, Game Won investment group, started talks with Los Banos city officials and politicians in two other areas.

"Gary Ramos, a Game Won casino project manager, declined to name the two other areas.

"The tribe has not chosen a specific site for the casino, though there has been talk about building in the Diablo Range west of Los Banos near San Luis Reservoir, he said.

"…Local officials have little control over deciding whether a casino can be built in their neighborhoods. The process centers in Sacramento or Washington, D.C., where landless tribes can seek exceptions that allow them to build casinos away from reservations.

"…The Miwok could become one of the first California tribes to build a casino off of a reservation, though the North Fork Mono tribe is working on another proposal to build a gaming facility and resort outside Madera, west of its tribal land in the Sierra Nevada foothills…"

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