VEGASCYBERCASINOS
House of Representatives Resource Committee Bill to Prevent Reservation Shopping
A new bill was recently passed in the United States House of Representatives Resource Committee aimed at limiting the way Indian Tribes site their casinos. The law, if approved, would limit the process of "reservation shopping" as Indian Tribes continue to seek out new areas to build casinos outside of their existing reservation lands.
Los Coyotes Band of Chuilla and Cupeno Indians could be doomed. They have a proposed hotel-casino to be built in San Diego County and of the Big Lagoon Ranchiera Tribe. This is now unlikely to continue.
Manuel "Gil" Gurule said they have are yet tied to the areas. This would have created a casino zone in the city. They have already proven ties with Barstow; the general plan states that the Chemehuevi are native to this area.
"I don't know how the city can go back and change their minds and say the Chemehuevi are not native to the area," said Gurule.
Mayor Lawrence Dale said Friday, "The bill has a long ways to go before it becomes law and we hope to have some amendments made to it. We feel comfortable that hopefully, we will be able to do that."
Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon has written a letter to the bill's sponsor, Representative Richard Pombo, and asked him to consider taking into account the fact that the Los Coyotes/Big Lagoon project is under way and to "grandfather" the project.