SEARCH NEWS:

 

Not All California Tribes Happy with Offer

SACRAMENTO, California – As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune: " Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and leaders of five Indian tribes signed landmark gambling agreements yesterday that could transform California into the gambling capital of the world.

"Three of the tribes are from San Diego County, home to more Indian casinos and more tribes than any county in the state.

"The agreements, or compacts, give the five tribes and others with existing compacts an option to accept the same terms: an unlimited number of slot machines in exchange for a large new slice of revenue for the state – $1 billion up front with up to $200 million a year in recurring income.

"Tribes also will receive a 10-year extension on their compacts, pushing the expiration date to 2030, and a guaranteed monopoly on Nevada-style casinos. In return, the tribes agreed to legal protections for local residents, casino employees and patrons.

"…The five tribes are the Pala Band of Mission Indians and the Pauma Band of Mission Indians in North County, the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians in East County and Northern California's United Auburn Indian Community and the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians.

"…One North County tribe, the Rincon Rincon Band of Mission Indians, already has gone to court to block the new compacts. Rincon believes its more-remote casino would suffer financially if nearby casinos with better freeway access get unlimited slot machines.

"…Rincon's complaint underscores an irony other tribes have discovered. While the big gaming tribes would get guaranteed protection from commercial competition, the compacts offer little protection for remote reservations from better-positioned tribes.

"…Several of those tribes were sharply critical of the new compacts.

"'This is a slap in the face to many of us that deal with these issues on a daily basis,' said Deron Marquez, chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, which operates a big casino near San Bernardino. 'Many of our people who suffered and died so our people could be where they are today would not appreciate us signing (this) document.'

"Richard Milanovich, chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians near Palm Springs, said he found many of the new provisions unacceptable…"

< Gaming News