California Tribes a Step Closer to Getting Day in Court
On the final day of the session, the California Senate Aug. 31 passed an amended version of SB 549, the bill would give the state’s tribes one chance to sue cardrooms and determine whether these venues violate state law, reports iGB. It will now go to Governor Gavin Newsom for final approval.
At issue is the use of third party providers acting as the bank in games such as blackjack and roulette. The case is symbolic of a wider issue of Indian rights not being respected, tribes say.
The General Assembly unanimously passed the proposal two days earlier, while the Senate vote was 32-2. Should Newsom sign the bill, the tribes will have one chance to sue the state’s cardrooms.
“The passage of SB 549 is fantastic news for California’s tribal nations,” California Nations Indian Gaming Association chairman James Siva said in a press release posted on Pechanga.net Saturday.
“For over a decade, California tribes have engaged in considerable efforts to defend our exclusive gaming rights guaranteed in the California Constitution. The Tribal Nations Access to Justice Act gives tribes access to justice that has been denied not only in this case, but throughout California history.”
The tribes cannot seek monetary damages, and a lawsuit must be filed by 1 April 25.
CA General Assembly Passes Dodd’s Tribal Gaming Bill
On Aug. 28, the California General Assembly passed Senate Bill 931, which was proposed by state Senator Bill Dodd. According to a release, the legislation includes new compacts for the following:
- The Campo Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the Campo Indian Reservation
- The La Posta Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of the La Posta Indian Reservation
- The Timbisha Shoshone Tribe
- The Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of the Sulphur Bank Rancheria
The bill also amended compacts for the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians; The Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians; and The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria.
“This legislation helps enhance economic stability and self-sufficiency among California’s first people while providing revenue and good-paying jobs for thousands of others across our state,” Dodd said in the release. “It’s a win for everyone and I thank my fellow lawmakers for their support.”
National Tribal Revenue Up, But Margins Getting Smaller
Indian Country brought in a record $41.9 billion in revenue in 2023, but saw shrinking margins, according to the 26th Annual Indian Gaming Cost of Doing Business Report. The report includes information from 132 tribes in 18 states and also revealed a 4 percent decline in margins between 2022 and 2023, per Casino Reports.
The decline in margins is the second consecutive, after the 2023 report shows sinking profit margins are a trend. Margins were at 36 percent in 2021, 30 percent in 2022, and 26 percent in 2023.
No Winners Here …
Connecticut regulators fined DraftKings $19,000 and mandated it to return $23,909 to players after it was discovered that an online casino slot game had its odds set to zero. Game developer White Hat was fined $3,500. According to CT Insider, 20,000 spins on the new game Deal or No Deal Banker’s Bonanza resulted in now wins.
DraftKings identified a problem within 48 hours of launching the game, but neither DraftKings nor White Hat notified the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) until Aug. 31, after the issue was resolved. And even then, the operator was responding to a DCP inquiry.
DraftKings is partnered with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to offer digital and retail sports betting and online casino in Connecticut.
In other news …
A woman drove a white SUV through the front doors of Michigan’s Gun Lake Casino overnight Sept. 2-3. According to Native Online News, “At 2:30 AM, a vehicle drove through the south entrance of Gun Lake Casino in what appears to be a domestic dispute,” the tribe said in a statement. “No one, including the male target, was injured. The female driver is being transported for evaluation.” The tribe reported “significant” damage to the front entrance, but the casino is open.
