The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians announced plans for a third gaming facility in southern California. The tribe is acquiring a 12.5-acre parcel for a "mixed-use entertainment and gaming district" in Cathedral City. The site is located near a well-trafficked highway. "This is about making a large-scale investment in Cathedral City," Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe said in a press release. "The future development will create jobs, revitalize an undeveloped downtown property and support Cathedral City's economic development efforts." The tribe operates the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs and the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage. Cathedral City is located between those two facilities. The tribe's Class III gaming compact was amended in 2016 to authorize up to four additional casinos. The agreement specifically envisioned facilities on sites "contiguous" to the reservation -- the parcel in Cathedral City apparently falls in that category, according to The Palm Springs Desert Sun. News reports did not say whether the tribe will file a land-into-trust application for the new property. But that step isn't always necessary -- under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, all land within a reservation is eligible for gaming whether or not is held in trust. Read More on the Story:
Agua Caliente planning new casino, commercial development in downtown Cathedral City (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 4/11)
Agua Caliente Tribe to develop 12.5 acres in heart of Cathedral City (KESQ 4/11)
Casino development announced in downtown Cathedral City; some residents concerned (KESQ 4/11)
New casino project announced for Palm Springs area (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 4/12)
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to Acquire Valley Site, Relocate Fire Station (City News Service 4/12)
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