The San Manuel Casino near Big Bear, California

The Issue: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a new Gaming Compact with the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians that will allow for the construction of the Red Hawk Casino in Shingle Springs, CA.  The Compact, if approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, will generate funds for the state amounting to 20-25% of the Casino’s revenue.  Is the New Gaming Compact the corrected choice for California?

The town of Shingle Springs is a community about 50 miles east of Sacramento, CA on the 50 Freeway towards South Lake Tahoe.  Here is a map. It’s customers will probably come from Sacramento or Roseville.

Indian Gaming agreements are great ways to both bring economic development to smaller, struggling communities and to generate revenue for California.  As long as there is restrain with how large we let these facilities get, they will be fine.  A moderate amount of moderately sized casinos will help California’s budget without significantly impacting the state.

This casino has been authorized to have 5,000 Class III Slot machines.  This will make the Red Hawk comparable in size to it’s peers statewide.  This law will both generate revenue and not significantly impact our communities.  It is a step in the right direction for California.

source:  BusinessWire