Gaming briefs for Sept. 10, 2003

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003 | 11:16 a.m.

Police, firefighters' unions oppose Indian casino

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- The police and firefighters' union said it will oppose the building of an Indian casino on the outskirts of Rohnert Park.

Leaders of the Public Safety Officers Association announced their opposition Monday of the plan by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to build a casino and resort hotel on 360 acres near the town. The tribe's partner is Station Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas.

"Unfortunately, a casino this size will bring a large population to the city and will have a negative impact," said Sgt. Vince Amato, chairman of the union's political action committee.

Davis approves Indian casinos

SACRAMENTO -- Two more Indian tribes would be allowed to open casinos in San Diego County in exchange for sharing 5 percent of gambling profits with the state under a new agreement with Gov. Gray Davis.

The La Posta Band of Mission Indians and the Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueno Indians agreed to share revenue in order to operate up to 350 slot machines, said a Davis spokeswoman and a La Posta tribe representative.

The Legislature must approve the casinos.

"These are two tribes that have very difficult economic circumstances," Davis spokeswoman Hilary McLean said. "These compacts will allow them to proceed with much-needed economic development."

La Posta tribe lawyer Robert Rosette said the tribe planned a small casino along the freeway east of San Diego.

The Davis administration last month signed its first new Indian gambling compact in 3 1/2 years, with the Torres-Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians of Thermal. Officials are in negotiations with over 80 other tribes.

Davis has been pushing the tribes to help trim the state's huge budget deficit as his administration renegotiates compacts it hurriedly signed in 1999 with 61 tribes. Another 35 tribes that did not have compacts also are involved in the talks.