The National Indian Gaming Commission on December 6 issued a certificate of self-regulation to the Barona Band of Mission Indians in San Diego County. It becomes the first tribe in the Golden State to be granted this status. The tribe operates Barona Casino, which was one of the first tribal casinos to open Las Vegas style gaming in the state.
This new status recognizes the ability of a tribe to self-regulate its gaming with reduced oversight by the NIGC. Before the commission issued the certificate, the tribe underwent a three-year review to ensure that its casino has complied with all Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and NIGC regulations—as well as meeting all of the Barona tribe’s laws and regulations.
In granting the certificate NIGC Chairman Jonodev Chaudhuri stated “The Barona Band of Mission Indians has taken significant time and effort to build a successful gaming operation, while simultaneously creating a strong regulatory structure to oversee that gaming. Therefore we are granting a certificate of self-regulation to the Barona Band of Mission Indians. This is an exemplary feat, and I congratulate the Tribe for being able to achieve self-regulation under IGRA.”
NIGC reviewed the tribe’s regulatory structure, looking to see if the tribe can account for all of its casino revenue, that it has a good reputation for fair dealing and fair games and free of criminal elements. It also confirmed that the tribe conducts its operations in fiscally sound manner.
Tribal Chairman Edwin “Thorpe” Romero hailed the recognition. “We are honored to be the first tribe in California to receive self-regulation status from the National Indian Gaming Commission. This achievement emphasizes Barona’s dedication and commitment to preserving Tribal sovereignty,” he said. “I want to thank the Barona Tribal Gaming Commission for their diligence and determination that made self-regulation possible.”
