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California Tribes Hope New Casinos Sustain Economic Success

"Locally, American Indian tribes plan to spend much of the upcoming year building on the economic success of 2000.

"…Indian leaders hope to parlay casino success into long-term non-gambling investments.

"At least two non-gaming local tribes will try their best to open casinos this year.

"…The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians and developer Donald Trump plan to unveil a Hollywood entertainment themed casino by the end of the year, with a 200-room hotel to follow.

"After the desert-themed Agua Caliente Casino opens in April in Rancho Mirage, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will turn their attention to the Spa Hotel and Casino.

"…While the gaming tribes are expanding their businesses, non-gaming tribes will plan political and financial moves necessary to join the casino fray in 2001.

"Fresh off a victory in Congress that will allow them to buy off-reservation land for a casino, the Torres-Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians will spend the next year preparing to manage what is potentially its most lucrative venture ever.

"…Before the Torres-Martinez build anything, however, they need Gov. Gray Davis' signature on a tribal-state gaming compact.

"The governor has ignored the tribe's request for a compact so far, but a lobbyist for the tribe said getting the compact will be a top priority this month.

"…On a wider scale, tribes will work to defend old rights they expect to be challenged in the new year.

"Tribes plan to fight any movements in the new Congress to curtail the rights they have under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act…"

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