A Couple of Things.....

The Chumash Casino is celebrating it's 15 year anniversary. Congratulations to the tribe and best wishes for the future.
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San Pasqual Files $550 Million Claim

Yesterday the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians filed a $550 million claim against California saying the governor has refused to adhere to a 1999 compact which should allow the tribe a total of 2000 slots. They are currently 426 short of that number.

A federal judge ruled that there should be a total of 42,700 machines available, according to the tribe. But the state has limited the number to 32,151.

Camille Anderson, a spokeswoman for the governor, said the judge's ruling is not final stating, ”Until the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issues a final ruling in the statewide license pool issue and the appeals process has been exhausted, any claim filed on the basis of a disputed ruling is premature.”

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Carcieri v Salazar Update

Key US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs members are hinting that even if there is a “fix” passed it may exclude the provision to allow tribes to take land into trust for off-reservation gaming.

The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Byron Dorgan, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and committee member Sen. John McCain, are all opposed to land into trust for the purpose of off-reservation casinos.

The committee has indicated, though, that the tribes can expect them to push Congress to pass legislation that would clear up any confusion caused by the decision to help prevent a slew of suits being filed against Indian gaming.

Ron Allen, President of the National Congress on American Indians told congress that,“We don’t need to flood the courts with cases against tribes. If you do nothing, you would effectively be initiating a stimulus bill for the lawyers.”