The National Indian Gaming Commission has ruled that the Buena Vista Band of Me-Wuk Indians can open a casino on its rancheria but the small tribe still faces a legal challenge to its gaming compact with the state of California.

Amador County has sued the Interior Department for approving the compact. The county claims the rancheria is not a reservation.

The NIGC considers otherwise. The acting general counsel issued a June 30 memo [Link] that supported the tribe's case.

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NIGC letter sides with tribe over land status (The Amador Ledger-Dispatch 7/13)