Anti-gaming amendment would stop off-reservation casino plan

Tuesday, December 14, 2010  

An anti-gaming amendment being proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) would kill an off-reservation casino project in Barstow, California, despite local and state support for the project.

The Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians and the Big Lagoon Rancheria teamed up to build side-by-side casinos in Barstow. Big Lagoon dropped out after the Bush administration rejected its land-into-trust application but Los Coyotes is still pursuing a casino there.

Feinstein's amendment, however, would end the project because Los Coyotes is unable to demonstrate "substantial direct modern connection" and a "substantial direct aboriginal connection" to the gaming site. "She is using a shotgun approach that is affecting dozens and dozens of tribes around the country,” developer spokesperson Tom Shields told The Desert Dispatch.

The city council in Barstow supports the casino and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) agreed to a compact for the project.

Get the Story:
Feinstein takes aim at off-reservation casinos (The Desert Dispatch 12/14)

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