California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2173, officially ratifying an amended tribal-state gaming compact between the state and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. This agreement extends through December 31, 2061.

Authored by Assemblymember Greg Wallis, AB 2173 grants the tribe additional flexibility for future growth, including the addition of up to 500 gaming devices. It also revises the tribe’s contributions to California’s Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, which supports tribes with limited or no gaming operations.

A tribal-state gaming compact is a legal agreement between a U.S. state and a Native American tribe governing casino operations. AB 2173 passed unanimously through both houses of the California Legislature. Due to its urgency, the legislation went into effect immediately upon Governor Newsom’s signature.

The Agua Caliente reservation spans significant portions of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Cathedral City. The tribe employs approximately 3,200 individuals across its gaming and non-gaming ventures, making it a major employer in the Coachella Valley.

Assemblymember Wallis expressed gratitude to Governor Newsom for signing AB 2173 and commended Chairman Jeff Grubbe and the tribe for their collaborative efforts.

Additionally, California has strengthened regulations regarding cardroom gaming earlier this year. The California Department of Justice introduced rules restricting how hands are determined, banning specific terminology traditionally linked with 21-point games like blackjack, and tightening eligibility criteria for player-dealers.

Subsequently, the California Gaming Association and multiple operators filed two lawsuits in San Francisco Superior Court seeking injunctions to halt these regulations.



Source link