Louisiana, California tribes want to build $180 million casino

Tuesday, April 18, 2000 | 12:50 p.m.

The casino includes a Mediterranean-style design luxury resort overlooking Lake Wohlford, about six miles northeast of Escondido, and is expected to create about 1,600 jobs.

The tribes want to build 200-room hotel and villa, a spa, equestrian facilities, five restaurants and, eventually, an 18-hole golf course. The casino will have about 2,000 slot machines, said Rick Barioni, a project spokesman.

The National Indian Gaming Commission still must approve the plans.

California voters in March passed Proposition 1A, which allows American Indian tribes to operate casinos with Las Vegas-style slot machines and card games.

Two other northern San Diego County American Indian tribes have previously announced plans for casinos.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians and Anchor Gaming want to build a $90 million casino near Fallbrook. The Rincon Band of Mission Indians announced a $100 million deal with Harrah's Entertainment to build a casino east of Valley Center.

The San Pasqual reservation, just east of Escondido, has 300 members and will team up with the Tunica-Biloxi, which runs three casinos.

"We felt their compassion and respect for our people and tribal traditions is something we can work well with," said Allen Lawson, San Pasqual's chairman. "It shows that we can do this without Las Vegas money."

Earl Barby, the Tunica-Biloxi tribe chairman, agreed.

"We are proud to be a part of the San Pasqual tribe's long-range vision for growth and sovereign development," Barby said in a statement.