Editorial: Compromise over Lytton Band casino

Monday, May 14, 2007  

"For years, political battle over San Pablo's Indian casino has been waged between those who wanted to expand it and those who wanted to close it. The long and heated dispute now seems to have ended in a compromise that is acceptable to both sides.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the casino's leading opponent, has introduced a bill that would allow the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians to continue operations at the San Pablo casino but would prevent it from becoming a large Nevada-style gaming facility.

Feinstein tried and failed to get legislation passed to close down the casino. In the meantime, the Lyttons put 1,050 electronic bingo games in the casino in addition to card tables.

The bingo games have been far more profitable than predicted. As a result, the casino is taking in more than $100 million a year from 1.8 million patrons.

San Pablo is getting $1 million a month, which is three-fourths of the city's general fund.

The current casino not only is a boon for the city and the Lyttons, it also employs 520 people who will now keep their jobs."

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Casino compromise (The Contra Costa Times 5/14)
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