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Stand Up for California! is a statewide organization with a focus on gambling issues including tribal gaming, card clubs, horse racing, charitable gaming and the state lottery. | |
Voter-backed gaming deal with Sycuan in jeopardy 8/6/2008, San Diego Union Tribune SACRAMENTO - The Sycuan band's decision to put off ratification of its new gambling agreement has saved the El Cajon tribe millions of dollars, but it may be about to backfire.
The compact permitting up to 5,000 slot machines on the tribe's East County reservation has been approved by the Legislature and the U.S. Interior Department, which has the final say.
But all of that happened before the Schwarzenegger administration quietly disclosed a few months ago that the tribe, relying on a little-noticed provision in its new compact, had not executed the deal. The delay will cost the state at least $30 million in higher payments expected from Sycuan, an administration spokesman said. Now, at the request of Sycuan's neighbors and a gambling watchdog, federal attorneys are taking a hard look at whether the Interior Department could legally approve a gambling agreement that had not yet been executed by the tribe.
County OKs $38 million agreement with Pauma 8/6/2008, North County Times
The county Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved an agreement with the Pauma Band of Mission Indians worth $38 million in road improvements. Of the $38 million, $25.5 million would pay for improvements to Highway 76, including passing lanes, turnouts, shoulder widening and intersection improvements. The tribe also would pay more than $600,000 a year for law enforcement, programs for problem gamblers and public safety programs. "We believe as a tribe that we've put something together that is to the benefit of all of us," Pauma Chairman Chris Devers said during the meeting.
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New UIGEA Clarification Bill: A Mixed Bag At Best
8/6/2008, PokerRoad.com
H.R. 6663, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Clarification and Implementation Act (UIGECIA) is a new bill introduced by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) which attempts to fix the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) by finally defining it's scope. The bill, which is co-sponsored by three democrats including Marion Berry (AR), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL), and Bill Delahunt (MA), clearly states that the UIGEA is intended primarily for sportsbooks and online sportsbetting. The language of H.R. 6663 may conceivably help get sites like PartyPoker, PokerRoom, and Titan Poker back in the US, as it clarifies that the UIGEA is not to target any type of gaming which doesn't have "authoritative court decisions" proving it's illegality. However, despite this seemingly good news, the Poker Players Alliance and others in the poker community are upset with the UIGECIA due to what it seems to imply in it's language.
Online poker in California? Not really 8/6/2008, Online Poker Junkie
Well, there is a bill pending in the Legislature called the California Gambling Control/Intrastate Legalization Act, AB 2026, introduced by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, a Van Nuys Democrat. Originally the bill was intended to study the issue of whether California wanted to comply with a fairly recent federal law which would allow states to legalize gambling on online poker for residents within a state. The bill was amended to actually allow poker, then re-amended, and as it now stands, it remains strictly a study
Public won't vote on casinos, but supervisors will hold hearing 8/5/2008, Chico Enterprise Record
OROVILLE - A proposed advisory vote on future Indian casinos in Butte County was pretty much dead on arrival before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, but the panel has decided to hold a comprehensive hearing on the impact of gambling on both the public and private sectors. Oroville Supervisor Bill Connelly had asked the board to consider an advisory ballot measure for the November election that would have asked whether the county should support additional casinos. Tuesday he made clear his proposal wasn't aimed at any tribe or specific casino proposal. "This was just an idea to let the public voice their opinion for or against gaming in general," said Connelly. The county is currently involved in federal lawsuit where it is seeking to block a proposed Chico Rancheria Mechoopda casino to be located off Highway 149, about two miles east of Highway 99.
Red Hawk owners post $5M loss 8/4/2008, Sacramento Business Journal
Revenue was up but earnings turned to losses for Minneapolis-based Lakes Entertainment Inc., the casino development company that is the management partner with the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok, currently building a highway overpass and Red Hawk Casino just west of Placerville. In the first half of the year, the company lost $5.4 million on revenue of $10.5 million, compared to earnings of $2.4 million on revenue of $887,000 in the first half of 2007. In the second quarter, Lakes lost $1.3 million on revenue of $5.9 million, down from earning $10 million on revenue of $409,000 in the second quarter of 2007. Lyle Berman, chief executive of Lakes, said the prospects for the new Red Hawk Casino in El Dorado County are good now that it is awaiting a new compact for slot machines from California.
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HELP
Compulsive Gambling Institute
1-800-GAMBLER 24 Hour Problem Gambling Help Line - Tom Tucker, Chief Executive Officer
Upcoming Conference
INDIAN COUNTRY'S WINNING HAND, October 16-17, 2008, Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino Scottsdale/Fountian Hills, Arizona. Register online: www.law.asu.edu/ilp
LINKS and Legislation
Stand Up For California - Library
Stand Up For California - Helpful Links
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State Legislation to Watch
AJR 39 - Assembly Member Huffman
Reaffirmation of the Winneman Wintu. Second Reading
AB 1924 - Assembly Member Jeffries Changes the amount of charitable BINGO funds that may be used for overhead and other operational expenses. Chaptered in Statute
AB 2026 - Assembly Member Levine -
The California Gambling Control in conjunction with the Department of Justice, shall authorize and report its findings to the legislature by June 30, 2009, regarding authorizing interstate Internet Poker. Appropriations Suspense File
SB 62 - Sen. Florez - Permits the transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for eligible recipient tribes should there be insufficient funds in the Special Distribution Fund.
SB 331 -Sen. Romero - Imposes a state mandated local program to address tresspassers on tribal lands. Re-reffered to Appropriations.
SB 996 Sen. Florez - This bill would require each tribal state gaming compact entered into between the State of California and a federally recognized Indian Tribe to be ratified by the Legislature in Separate Statute. In Assembly G.O. held at desk.
SB 1201 - Sen. Battin Increases the aggregate limit of gaming devices licenses available for issuance under the 1999 compacts to 122,000 slot machines without tribal state compact renegotiations. Failed passage-reconsideration granted.
SB 1328 - Sen. Cedillo - deletes the $250 limitation on bingo game payouts, thereby allows for an award of any denomination. In Senate G. O. Referred to Appropriations
SB - 1570 - Sen. Vincent - Requires the Governor to use best efforts to ensure that satellite wagering on horese racing is one of the forms of gaming offered at any gambling facility authorized under a compact. In Appropriations Suspense File SB 1626 - Sen. Steinberg -Game of Bingo to be played with electornic cards. -First Hearing
Cancelled. SB 1679 - Sen. Florez - Lottery Reform Bill: requiresthat not less than 87% of revenues be used for prizes and to benefit education, 13% for lottery expenses. Total revenue to education will be decided by the Commission but not less than 1,200,000,000. Requires 1 million to be committed to the Office of Problem and Pathological gambling. Defines, expands and loosens restrictions of lottery game themes. Rereferred to Senate G. O. - Second Hearing.
SB 1695 - Sen. Florez - Prohibits the Governor from negotiating or concluding a gaming compact with a tribe that does not have land held in trust on which the gaming is to occur and that is not federally recognized. Bill passes the Senate.
SCA 20 -Sen. Vincent - Constitutional Amendment authorizes Roulette and Craps on California Indian lands for compact tribes. Last Activity March 13, 2008
SCA 25 - Sen. Florez -Will allow the legislature, to adjust annually the percentages for prizes, public education, lottery expenses and problem gambling awareness and treatment programs. Introduced 6-6-08, first reading - referred to Sentate G. O.
Federal Legislation to Watch
H. R. 2963 - Congressman Issa Transfers without regulatory environmental process 1,178 ac. in Riverside and San Diego Counties to the Pechanga Band. Why?
H.R. 3490 - Congressman Radanovich
Declares that specificed federal lands are to be held in trust by the US for the benefit of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuik Indians for non gaming purposes.
H.R. 5608 Congressman Rahall - mandates that adminstration directly consults with tribes on policies that directly affect their lives.
H. R. 5680 Congressman Grijalva - A bill to extend leases for Morongo and transfer money to CRIT.
S. 2676 - Senator Vitter - Common Sense Indian Gambling Reform Act of 2008. To make technical corrections to IGRA. Consultation with local government.
S. 3320 - Tribal Law and Order Act
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