Opinion: Limit casinos to 'historical' Indian lands

Wednesday, October 28, 2009  

"As two of the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit, Stop the Casino 101 Coalition v. Kempthorne, challenging the U.S. Department of Interior’s decision to take 254 acres near Rohnert Park into trust for a casino to be owned by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, we would like to report to the community on the progress of the lawsuit.

On Monday, our attorneys filed opening briefs in 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

This important case tests the federal government’s ability to displace state jurisdiction and all local planning controls over a parcel of land and install Las Vegas-style gaming. More immediately, the court will decide whether local citizens directly affected by the government’s action have the right to ask federal courts to review it.

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and Station Casinos intend to open a 762,000-square-foot hotel and casino, including at least 2,000 slot machines.

There is Indian land, and then there is Indian land. That is, there are remote lands Native Americans have occupied for generations, and there are urban lands tribes are now trying to purchase with the help of Las Vegas partners, such as Station Casinos, so they both can take advantage of the Indian monopoly on slot machines.

Many people think that California voters intended to approve Indian gaming only on historical Indian lands but not on newly purchased lands. We agree."

Get the Story:
Chip Worthington and Mike Healy: Why we are suing to block the casino (The Petaluma Argus-Courier 10/28)