Off-reservation casinos a hot item in California

Monday, June 14, 2004  

More than 20 California tribes are seeking casinos off or away from their existing reservations, according to Stand Up for California.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act bans gaming on lands acquired after 1988. But tribes can seek the concurrence of the state governor in what is known as a two-part determination.

Still, other tribes are seeking to acquire land outside of the process. Newly recognized, restored and landless tribes are granted and exception to the post-1988 rule. At least one California tribe is seeking a landless declaration because some of the tribal property is now underwater.

In other cases, an act of Congress can mandate a land acquisition. At least two California tribes are in this situation.

Get the Story:
Tribes thinking outside the reservation (The San Diego Union-Tribune 6/14)