A lot has changed for California tribes since the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act became law 20 years ago this month.
Some tribes have become incredible successes. Gaming in California is an $8 billion business.
“What a difference,” Anthony Pico, the chairman of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “Gaming gave us the opportunity to be able to think and plan. Before, we just had a high interest in surviving.
But success breeds green, others say. Some wealthy gaming tribes have kicked out hundreds of members and tribes often lobby against one another in the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C.
"It's not like it was 30 years ago when we really helped each other Carlene Chamberlain, a council member for the Jamul Band of Kumeyaay Indians said. "It's tribe against tribe."
Unemployment remains high on California reservations, according to figures tribes supply to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The tribes with the largest membership remain among the most impoverished in the state
The law is the subject of Indian Country's Winning
Hand: 20 Years of IGRA, a conference taking place in Arizona on October
16-17.
Get the Story:20 years of Indian fortunes, feuds (The San Diego Union-Tribune 10/16)
