Issue 206
August 23 - 29, 2004
Volume 4
page 2
 

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.

 

 

 


Caesars megaclub to open this year
As reported by The Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas, NV -- That long-rumored megaclub at Caesars Palace is on a fast track for a December opening.

Spies tell me it will be a cavernous 36,000 square feet, so big the operators are projecting traffic of 3,000 revelers a night.

It's going in the former Magical Empire space.

The main investors include Jen Worthington and Robert Frey, who co-own Coyote Ugly at New York-New York and Tangerine, the new club at Treasure Island.

 

Washington Tribe Breaks Ground on Hotel Expansion

ROCHESTER, Washington -- The Chehalis Tribe broke ground last week on an impressive 70 room and suite hotel on the grounds of the Lucky Eagle Casino, tribal leaders announced today. Scheduled to open in March 2005, the hotel is designed to augment the facilities of the existing 65,000 square foot casino opened in 1995, and to allow the Chehalis Tribes to continue to attract customers from surrounding communities.

"The new Lucky Eagle Casino Hotel is the latest phase of our plan to expand our business base," said Chehalis Tribal Chairman David Burnett. "We will soon have the ability to offer overnight stays to attract additional business and travel customers."

The new hotel will be linked to the casino by a covered "sky bridge" walkway, and will feature a heated indoor pool, sauna and exercise facilities, among other amenities. Accommodations will range from high quality single rooms to two- and three-bedroom luxury suites, complete with private hot tubs and in-room fireplaces. Spacious meeting facilities, banquet and conference rooms will be available at the adjacent casino.

In addition to new casino customers, the Chehalis Tribe plans to introduce long distance travel packages that include side-trips to other area tourist attractions. Among those on the "short list" of potential destinations are the outlet and antique malls of Centralia and Chehalis, the Port of Olympia, and the popular Visitors Center at Mount St. Helens.

Hilary Duff

MGM Grand: Hilary Duff, young film phenomenon and Walt Disney Records recording artist, performs at the MGM Grand.

Date: September 3, 2004

Price: $47.77

Time: 8:00pm

 

For more information please call: (800) 929-1111

 
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