SEARCH NEWS:

 

California Tribe Scales Back Casino Plans

SACRAMENTO, California – As reported by L.A. Times: "Responding to opposition from Bay Area legislators, a California Indian tribe and investors have proposed scaling back plans for a sprawling, Las Vegas-style casino near San Francisco and Oakland.

"The decision to downsize the plans comes with a week remaining for the controversial project to win legislative approval this year.

"In a letter sent Friday to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a representative of the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians said the tribe would halve the number of slot machines at its proposed San Pablo casino, from 5,000 to 2,500.

"The concession offered by the Lytton Band changed the mind of at least one powerful opponent of the initial plans, Senate President Pro Tem John Burton (D-San Francisco).

"…The announcement comes as the state is attempting to approve lucrative revenue-sharing deals with five tribes, in addition to deals struck earlier this year with five others.

"…The San Pablo casino would be the state's first large-scale Indian gambling operation in a major urban area. Other tribes and their financial backers covet locations close to major population centers, such as Garden Grove, not far from Disneyland…"

< Gaming News