California Legislator at Cross Purposes?
Last week, the California legislature approved a bill that will allow tribes to sue the state’s card rooms for what they believe is a violation of their exclusive right to Class III gambling. The bill passed easily, but one surprising “yes” vote, both in committee and on the assembly floor was from Evan Low, reports CalMatters. The Democrat represents the city of San Jose, which gets millions in tax dollars from local card rooms.
The political outlet shared that Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, a key supporter of the bill, bought $60,000 worth of ads supporting Low’s senate campaign.
“Even though there was probably no coordination between Evan Low and this (political action committee),” Sean McMorris, a program manager for California Common Cause, told CalMatters. “I can probably guarantee you they wouldn’t have spent that money if Assemblymember Low didn’t vote for their interests.”
Tribal leaders say that’s not true, pointing to a “long-standing” relationship with Low. The card rooms are fighting back with negative advertising on billboards near the San Jose airport.
Three Tribal Casinos Make USA Today Top 10 List
Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun and California’s Yaamava’ and Graton Casino & Resort made the USA Today Top 10 list of best casinos across the US. The list was compiled based on reader votes. Mohegan Sun was voted as the No. 1 casino resort in the country. The state-of-art facility includes smart technology and “lightning-fast” wifi. Mohegan Sun is located roughly halfway between Boston and New York City and has 364,000 square feet of gaming space. It also has 1,500 hotel rooms, a 12,000-seat sports venue, 48 dining options and shopping options.
In California, Yaamava Hotel & Casino, about an hour east of Los Angeles, came in at No. 2. The casino underwent a makeover in 2021, when a 17-story hotel tower opened. The casino has 7,200 hotel rooms, there is a new luxury spa, more than 20 dining options, and a modern pool area. California’s Graton Casino & Resort came in ninth on the list. Located in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, the resort has 3,000 slot machines and 144 table games. The gaming floor opened in 2013, and a 200-room hotel tower was added in 2016.
In other news …
Station Casinos and the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Sept. 7 had a groundbreaking ceremony for a new casino project expected to open in 2026. It is located in the Central Valley.
