Harrah’s developing Indian casino in California

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000 | 4:34 a.m.

Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas announced Tuesday afternoon a pact to develop a $100 million Indian casino near San Diego.

The casino, the first in California to be developed by a Strip casino operator, will be developed on the tribal land of the Rincon San Luiseno Band of Mission Indians. The tribal land is located about 30 minutes north of San Diego.

"We believe this agreement reflects Harrah's excellent reputation with Native American tribes around the country," said Philip Satre, chairman and chief executive of Harrah's. "We have long been advocates of Indian gaming, and we worked hard to build trust and support among these important partners."

A final agreement is subject to passage of Proposition 1A, set for a vote on March 7. This proposition would permit the development of Las Vegas-style casinos by tribes throughout California. Its predecessor, Proposition 5, ran into stiff opposition from Nevada casino operators, but passed easily in 1999. The measure was later declared invalid by the California Supreme Court.

No details on the size of the casino or the timeframe for its opening were provided.

Though Harrah's broke ranks with its neighbors in investing in California, the company is not the first in Nevada to announce such a project. In October, Las Vegas-based Station Casinos Inc. announced plans to develop a $100 million casino with the United Auburn Indian Community on land near Sacramento. That casino is expected to open in 2002.

Harrah's currently operates tribal casinos in Arizona, North Carolina and Kansas.