The Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians expects to post a profit at its casino this year amid layoffs and declines at other tribal gaming facilities in southern California.

With 800 slot machines, the Augustine Casino is smaller than most facilities. That's why the tribe caters to the local market, general manager Bob Jones said.

"Get back to the basics,” Jones told The Palm Springs Desert Sun. “If you're going to be successful, you've got to get back to being a locals' casino.”

The casino hasn't been immune from the recession. But being a smaller operation has benefited the tribe, Jones said.

“While a lot of casinos are claiming to be 20 to 30 percent off because of the economy, we were off in the single-digit range,” Jones told the paper. “We haven't been suffering as greatly as our competitors and we're stealing market share.”

The tribe is planning to expand the facility in 2010 but will take small steps. We don't want to get overwhelmed with debt. It's not something we do here," Jones said.

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Augustine plays winning hand (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 9/20)