California | Public Relations

Chumash Tribe raises gambling age to 21 for new liquor permit

Friday, October 30, 2015

A view of the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California. Photo from Facebook

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is raising the gambling age at its casino as part of a new liquor permit.

The tribe will be able to serve liquor on the floor of the Chumash Casino Resort as part of the permit. But patrons must be at least 21 years of age to enter the facility from now on.

“Alcohol will be available to be sold and consumed in areas of the gaming floor that we will determine and enforce," Chairman Vincent Armenta said in a press release. "We have proven that our resort can operate in a responsible way when serving alcohol, and we will continue to do so under these new guidelines.”

The state Department of Alcohol Beverage Control granted an interim operational permit to the tribe but local opponents are planning to speak at an appeal hearing, The Santa Barbara Independent reported.

Prior to the new permit, the casino allowed people 18 and over to gamble. But liquor was not allowed on the floor under the old conditions.

The tribe is working on an $160 million expansion of the facility.

Get the Story:
Alcohol to be Sold on Chumash Gaming Floor (The Santa Barbara Independent 10/30)
Chumash Casino Resort switches to 21 and over policy (The Lompoc Record 10/29)
Chumash Casino Resort Begins Serving Alcohol on Gaming Floor (Noozhawk 10/29)