California | Compacts | Openings & Closings

Chumash Tribe wins state approval of Class III casino compact

Thursday, September 10, 2015

YouTube: Santa Ynez Chumash Tribal-State Compact Ratification, 2015

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians celebrated ratification of its new Class III gaming compact with the state of California.

The agreement easily won approval in the state Senate and the state Assembly last week. It can now be sent to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for review, the final step in the process.

“This is a tribal-state compact that our tribe is very proud of. We believe it is not only beneficial for our tribe but also for the state and county of Santa Barbara,” Chairman Vincent Armenta said. “The fact that our compact received nearly unanimous support in the state Senate and Assembly is a testament to the good work that can be accomplished through government-to-government negotiations.”

Artist's rendering of a new hotel tower at the Chumash Casino Resort. Image from Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians

The compact updates one that was signed in 1999. It runs through 2040 and ensures stability as the tribe continues work on a $160 million expansion of the Chumash Casino Resort. The project includes a 12-story hotel with 215 rooms, 75,000 additional square-feet of gaming space, a 20,000 square-foot pool deck, new food and beverage venues and a parking garage with 584 spaces.