The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation owns and operates the Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, California. Photo from Facebook
California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) announced Class III gaming compacts with five tribes on Thursday. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation negotiated agreements for their existing operations while the Jamul Indian Village signed a deal for its first casino. The Yurok Tribe, meanwhile, amended its existing agreement. According to news reports, the Agua Caliente, Pechanga and Yocha Dehe agreements reduce the amount of revenues that the tribes contribute to the state. But they will continue to share revenues with their respective communities and with tribes that operate small casinos or aren't involved in gaming. "In order to give the tribe an increased ability to ensure gaming dollars stay in the Coachella Valley, this compact now allows the tribe to reallocate a large portion of the compact payments that previously went directly to the state, and instead direct those funds to a wide variety of economic development and infrastructure projects for various purposes in the Coachella Valley that mutually benefit the tribe and surrounding communities," Agua Caliente Chairman Jeff Grubbe said in a press release. Additionally, the Pechanga and Yocha Dehe compacts authorize contributions to the new California Native American Education and Scholarship Fund, according to the governor's office. The Jamul Indian Village plans to open the Hollywood Casino Jamul sometime this year. The tribe's compact runs for 25 years. “The compact creates an economic environment that allows the tribe to transition to self-sufficiency and to contribute to other tribes, the community and local government,” Chairwoman Erica Pinto. said in a press release. The Yurok Tribe's amendment brings the compact in line with workers’ compensation provisions that have been included in other agreements, according to the governor's office. Copies of the agreements can be found on the governor's website. More on the Story:
New deal for Cache Creek casino tribe; others settle union fight (The Sacramento 8/5)
New compact would let Agua Caliente keep more gaming money (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 8/5)
Jamul tribe signs gaming agreement with state (The San Diego Union-Tribune 8/5)
New Hollywood Casino Jamul Wins Gov. Brown OK on 25-Year Pact (The Times of San Diego 8/4)
Gov. Brown Signs 25-Year Compact Between State And Jamul Casino (City News Service 8/4)
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