California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has until August 31 to decide on two off-reservation casino projects.

The Enterprise Rancheria and the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians each won approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Under the two-part determination section of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Brown has authority to reject the projects.

Other tribes are against the casinos. At least one opposing tribe -- the United Auburn Indian Community -- opened a gaming facility under a provision in IGRA that didn't require the governor's approval.

Since 1988, only three governors have approved off-reservation casinos under the two-part determination section. A fourth governor, in New York, backed an off-reservation casino but the Bush administration ended up killing it.

Get the Story:
Jerry Brown faces major decision on tribal casino expansion (The Los Angeles Times 8/10)

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Tribes clash over off-reservation casino proposals in California (8/6)