California Wards Off Indian Casino Sprawl

California is experiencing a new problematic sprawl.  Though people, smog, and traffic are an issue, they are not remotely new.  The problem is the spread of Indian casinos.  With the huge gambling boom in the United States, both government-licensed and tribal, small tribes want their share of the pie.

The problem small tribes have is that they usually live on remote reservations, nowhere near metropolitan areas.  Casinos on the distant outskirts of social hubs lack the ability to draw enough business.  For that purpose, small tribes seek out plots of land near urban freeways for their casinos. 

Recently, the East Bay has hosted casinos for Richmond, Oakland, and San Pablo.  Even more have been discusses for Rohnert Park and Petaluma in Sonoma County.  Every one of the tribes came from remote locations.

Loni Hancock, a Democrat assemblywoman is striving to halt what has been labeled as “reservation shopping.”  Berkeley, her district in San Pablo, has become a casino hot spot. 

The resolution that Hancock stands behind is Bill AB2412.  The passing of this bill would generate an advisory vote prior to the opening of a casino.  Her bill will not only give tribes a chance to defend their casino, but will also give voters a chance to voice their concerns. 

Hancock’s bill may be indicative of California’s new outlook on tribal casinos.  California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has, in recent years, sought to mend relationships with tribal groups after denouncing campaign donations for Indian tribes when he took office. 

In the latter years of the 1990s, California voters allowed two tribal gaming measures passage into law.  In 2004, a third measure that would have removed caps on slot machines in exchange for more state taxes was crushed.   

Washington D.C. has become the latest battlefield in the war against Californian casino sprawl.  Sen. Dianne Feinstein has teamed up with Arizona’s Republican Sen. John McCain to redraft the policies on off-reservation gambling. 

Though Hancock’s push for community vote makes sense, the battle in Washington may be more worthwhile. 

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