Off-reservation gaming appears to be dead for the foreseeable future in California due to opposition from voters and tribes with existing casinos.
In late August 2012, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) made history by approving two off-reservation gaming projects. His decision for the North Fork Rancheria of
Mono Indians and another for the
Enterprise Rancheria
marked the first time that any tribe in California completed both steps of the
two-part determination process of the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act.
Neither tribe, however, is any closer to opening an off-reservation casino. Voters across California rejected a Class III gaming compact for the North Fork Rancheria at the polls last November and Brown will not negotiate a new deal as a result, a letter from his "Senior Advisor for Tribal Negotiations" stated.
The Proposition 48 campaign that put the compact on the ballot was primarily funded by tribes with existing casinos who feared more competition. The Table
Mountain Rancheria, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno
Indians and investors in the
now-shuttered facility owned by the Picayune Rancheria of the
Chukchansi Indians spent $18 million to prevent new development.
The North Fork Rancheria is now in federal court in hopes of reviving the project.
The lawsuit accuses the state of failing to negotiate in good faith.
The Enterprise Rancheria is also suing the state.
The tribe's compact was never approved by state lawmakers amid controversy over the North Fork deal.
Brown's refusal to consider off-reservation gaming looks bad for
the Los Coyotes Band
of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians.
Although local support for the $160 million Barstow
Casino and Resort remains strong the tribe still needs the state's backing.
Brown is serving his fourth, non-consecutive term as governor. He will remain in office until 2018 so any two-part determination decisions or proposals are likely to run into a dead end as long as he remains in charge.
Get the Story:
Officials say North Fork negotiations ‘futile’ post-Prop. 48
(The Fresno Bee 4/4)
Federal Register Notices:
Indian
Gaming (October 22, 2013)
Land
Acquisitions; North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California (December
3, 2012)
Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents:
Press
Release | Fact
Sheet: North Fork Rancheria Decision | Section
20 Determination: North Fork Rancheria
Related Stories:
Patrick
Sullivan: North Fork Rancheria in long drama for casino (4/3)
North
Fork Rancheria sues California for off-reservation casino (03/18)
Rivals
spent $18M to oppose North Fork off-reservation casino (02/03)
Court
won't review decision favoring North Fork Rancheria casino (01/16)
Editorial:
Don't let North Fork Rancheria proceed with casino plan (01/05)