CA Labor Unions Opposing Cardroom Bill
California’s Senate Bill 549, filed last year by Sen. Josh Newman, would grant tribes the ability to sue cardrooms operating in the state. In recent weeks, several California labor unions have come out in opposition to the bill, saying it jeopardizes jobs and tax revenue.
Opponents include the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), California Professional Firefighters, Teamsters Local 630 and SEIU California. Several cities have also voiced opposition, including Oceanside, San Jose, Commerce, Hawaiian Gardens and Chula Vista.
Per Covers, the unions argued in a joint letter that cardrooms contribute largely to the general funds of several cities–78 percent in Hawaiian Gardens and 50 percent in Commerce. Tribes have long argued that the cardrooms illegally offer banked card games like blackjack and baccarat.
Lytton Rancheria Backs Newsom’s Opposition of CA Casino Projects
On Aug. 19, the Lytton Rancheria released a statement applauding Gov. Gavin Newsom for sending a letter to the Department of the Interior opposing two tribal casino projects in the state. The projects in question are the Shiloh Resort and Casino Project (Koi Nation of Northern California) in Sonoma County and the Scotts Valley Casino and Tribal Housing Project (Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians) in Solano County.
In his letter, Newsom wrote that he is concerned that the projects “are proceeding in a manner that would sidestep the State, ignore the concerns of tribal governments and other local communities, and stretch the “restored lands” exception beyond its legal limits – while failing to adequately consider whether there might be a better way.”
The Scots Valley Band has been pushing for its casino since 2016, and the Koi Nation first announced its plans in 2021. Both projects face heavy opposition from the Lytton Rancheria and other tribes that say the land involved is not native to the tribes.
California’s Tejon Tribe Makes Progress on Casino
Kern County, California’s first casino resort is well underway, according to BakersfieldNow. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is being built by the Tejon Tribe just outside of Bakersfield, and the tribe Aug. 20 shared that construction has begun and the shell of the project is taking shape. The project is set to be completed in two phases and open in late 2025.
A 150,000-square-foot casino with 3,000 slot machines and 48 table games, as well as Hard Rock Cafe comprise Phase I. The second phase will include a 400-room hotel, 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live event center, and more casino space.
Oneida Nation Breaks Ground on $50 Million Casino Expansion
On Aug. 20, the Oneida Indian Nation broke ground on a $50 million expansion for its Point Place Casino in Bridgeport, NY. Since its 2018 opening, the property has expanded its casino floor twice and introduced a sportsbook.
This latest development will include another gaming floor expansion, a new 100-room hotel tower, event space and new dining options.
“When we built Point Place Casino six years ago, we had a vision for what it could become as an entertainment destination and an economic engine for this community,” Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises CEO, said in a statement.
Two Men Charged for Stealing $350k from SD Tribal Casino
Two Nebraska men—Roberto Carlos Gonzales Miranda and Roberto Orellana—have been charged for stealing $352,000 from Grand River Casino in South Dakota in February. The casino is operated by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. No court date has yet been set.
According to court documents, the two men orchestrated a social engineering scheme by calling the casino cage and pretending to be government officials demanding payment for audit fees. The employee then took the money from the cage and drove to a separate location to hand it off.
