9th Circuit hears California compact dispute

Thursday, April 10, 2008  

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in a gaming compact case involving the Rincon Band of Mission Indians and the Colusa Band of Wintun Indians.

The tribes signed compacts in 1999 that theoretically guaranteed them up to 2,000 slot machines.But limits set by the state prevent some tribes from reaching that limit.

The Rincon Band and the Colusa Band each went to court to try to enforce the 2,000 limit but two federal judges dismissed their cases, citing the failure to join other compact tribes as indispensable parties. The other tribes can't be forced to join the case due to their sovereign immunity.

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, ,judges on the 9th Circuit questioned whether the other tribes were really indispensable parties. They wondered what interest the other tribes have in the Rincon and Colusa suits, which were consolidated on appeal.

Get the Story:
Rincon Indians make pitch for more slots on 2 fronts (The San Diego Union-Tribune 4/10)