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California Tribes Oppose Government Plan To Revise Casino Rules22 April 2001CALIFORNIA – April 22, 2001 –As reported by the California Desert Sun: "Two Coachella Valley American Indian tribes have spoken out on the federal government's plan to revise casino regulations that cover nearly every aspect of tribal gambling. "An advisory group made up of tribal and casino officials will consider comments from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians when it decides what, if any, changes should be made to the minimum internal control standards that govern tribal casinos nationwide. "…`The commission's existing (rules) are overreaching, unduly costly, needlessly rigid.' wrote George Forman, an attorney for the tribe that owns Casino Morongo near Banning, in a March 30 letter. "He added the rules are, `inconsistent with the underlying premise ... that tribal governments are competent, responsible entities whose sovereignty and judgment are to be respected.' "… Forman also questioned the authority of the national commission to regulate tribal casinos. "…[Michael Lombardi, who has worked with the Morongo tribe and the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Mission Indians] said the regulations for California Indian casinos are more stringent than those for any other form of gaming in the state. "….Officials from the Agua Caliente tribe, owners of the Spa Resort Casino and Agua Caliente Casino, said most existing federal rules are fine. But in a March 26 letter a casino official urged the commission to relax its requirement that a casino maintain surveillance tapes of progressive slot machines for 30 days…" |