California agrees to big casino near San Francisco
As reported by Reuters
SAN FRANCISCO,
CA -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has reached agreements
with five Indian tribes allowing them to operate casinos, including
one near San Francisco, in exchange for a state share of gambling
revenue, officials said on Thursday.
One of the
deals will permit a huge casino in an East Bay suburb 18 miles east
of San Francisco, which would bring Las Vegas-style gambling for
the first time to an urban area of California.
The casino
in San Pablo, California, could have up to 5,000 slot machines,
which would make it the third-largest casino in the United States.
Its payout to the state would make up the bulk of an estimated $200
million annually that would flow to California's treasury as a result
of the five agreements, state officials said during a briefing by
telephone.
In exchange,
the state has set precise guidelines for the tribes to operate casinos
in their agreements, or "compacts."
The five tribes
have already signed the compacts and the governor is expected to
sign them on Monday, officials said.
The agreements
mark the latest revenue-sharing deals between Schwarzenegger and
California's tribes, whose casinos generate estimated revenue of
$6 billion annually.
WIN WIN
"It's
a win-win," said Chris Lehane, a consultant to Las Vegas and
tribal casinos. "Gaming is the No. 1 form of entertainment
in the country, so let's make it work for both sides."
The new compacts
are with the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians of Santa Rosa, the Ewiiaapaayp
of San Diego County, the Buena Vista of Amador County, the Coyote
Valley tribe of Mendocino County, and the Fort Mojave tribe of San
Bernardino County.
Assuming it
puts 4,000 slot machines at its planned casino near San Francisco,
the Lytton Band would provide the state with $152 million annually.
With 5,000 slots, the tribe would contribute an estimated $175 million
annually, officials said.
Putting the
Lytton casino near San Francisco in the community of San Pablo will
not open the door to other tribes now looking to build casinos in
urban areas, officials said.
They noted
the tribe has unique Congressional approval to acquire urban land.
Additionally, the compact with the state relies on the tribe reaching
deals with local authorities to mitigate traffic and other problems
arising from their planned casino complex, which may reach 500,000
square-feet.
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