Indian Gaming

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians of California is finally seeing movement on its casino land-into-trust application.

The tribe plans to move the existing Soboba Casino to a new location. After more than four years of work, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has issued the final environmental impact statement for the project.

"The Tribe proposes to relocate its existing casino, which presently resides on trust lands, to the project site," a notice that will be published in the Federal Register on Friday states. "In addition to the fee-to-trust action and casino relocation, the Proposed Action also includes the development of a 300-room hotel, casino, restaurants, retail establishments, a convention center, an events arena, and a spa and fitness center, within a 729,500+/- square-foot complex. The Proposed Action also includes a Tribal fire station, and a 12-pump gas station with a 6,000 square-foot convenience store."

Public comments will be accepted for 30 days after the publication of the notice in the Federal Register. Sometime after that, the BIA will issue a record of decision for the 535-acre land-into-trust application.

Forthcoming Federal Register Notice:
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians’ Proposed 534-Acre Trust Acquisition and Casino Project, Riverside County, California (November 29, 2013)

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Soboba Band facing opposition over casino land-into-trust bid (05/24)