You won’t find unanimity of opinion about the small million casino that the Karuk Tribe, one of the largest tribes in California, wants to build in Siskiyou County in the northernmost part of the Golden State.
Even some members of the 3,686-member tribe aren’t sure that the 500 slots and eight table game casino won’t have a negative effect on Yreka, one of the last towns in California before the Oregon border.
Governor Jerry Brown signed a compact with the tribe on December 5, but it has yet to be approved by the legislature. The compact also requires that the tribe negotiate agreements with the city of Yreka, Siskiyou County and the California Department of Transportation.
Nevertheless the tribe says it can break ground by summer.
Siskiyou County has 11 percent unemployment, so the 350 jobs that the facility 36,000 square foot facility and restaurant will bring will be welcome. A second phase would add 300 slots, more gaming tables and a small hotel.
Oddly enough, nearby gaming tribes that operate or want to operate casinos within the same market have not opposed the Karuks. One of them, the Coquille tribe, has wished the Karuks, “all the best.”
In Yreka itself, business owners are skeptical about a casino’s benefits. Heidi Martin, who owns a sewing business in the town, and whose parents lived in Atlantic City, told the Mail Tribune, “As soon as the casinos came to Atlantic City, you get the crime and other problems. We witnessed that, and it made my parents sick.”
On the other hand, Debbie Robison, owner of an antique store, declares, “”If it brings income to Yreka, it’s a good thing.”
