CNIGA Chair: California Tribal Gaming Growing Despite Adversity

The leader of the trade group representing the tribal gaming nations of California has affirmed that these nations have braved many difficult trials in recent years, and have managed to stay afloat despite the tremendous pressure.

(Image: CNIGA/Facebook)

Earlier this week, James Siva, the Chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), gave an impassioned State of the Tribal Nations speech at the Western Indian Gaming Conference, held at Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon, CA. This marked the first time the conference had been held since 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During his address, Siva highlighted the immense growth in California’s tribal gaming industry. In the past year alone, two new casinos had opened: the Elk Valley Rancheria’s in Crescent City, and the Wilton Rancheria’s Sky River Casino near Sacramento. (Image: CNIGA/Facebook)

Siva states that the addition of the Alturas Indian Rancheria, Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians, the Colusa Indian Community, the Karuk Tribe, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation to CNIGA brings the organization’s membership to 47. He declared that California tribes are in the best position to run sports betting.

Siva: California Tribes Best to Operate Sports Betting

Siva, who also serves as the vice chairman for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, has called for tribal nations to act in unison. “I urge all tribal leaders in the state to stand together in defending our sovereign rights,” he said. “Elevating Tribal Sovereignty is the essence of why this organization was established.” Last year, the majority of tribes united against Proposition 27, an initiative introduced by online sports betting corporations that aimed to permit internet wagering throughout the state. Moreover, DraftKings, FanDuel, and other companies expended almost $170 million in promotion of the measure, which was endorsed with a mere 17% of the vote. On the other hand, Proposition 26, a tribal-backed plan that would enable in-person betting at tribal casinos and state-licensed race tracks, also failed to gain favor with the public, with merely 33% support.

The tribal gaming nations raised a tremendous amount of money – $237 million – which they invested mostly in working to make sure Proposition 27 did not pass. According to Siva, this clearly illustrates the power of the tribal gaming industry within the state. Additionally, he made it known that if such a proposition is put forward by sports betting operators again in the future, the tribes will not back down. Rather, they are considered to be the better infrastructure to handle offering sports betting in California, as they have taken the time to run and regulate successful gaming establishments. 2024 is the earliest year another referendum regarding sports betting may take place in California; in addition to that, tribal nations are looking to push forward to create a moratorium on cardroom gaming.

Tribes Seek New Cardroom Moratorium

The state of California’s gaming tribes has had a tumultuous relationship with cardroom casinos over the years. Tribal leadership has raised the issue that cardrooms are violating the law by offering house-banked Class III gaming tables, which is illegal in California and an activity that can only be offered by tribal operators within their casinos. With the moratorium on cardroom expansion expiring in early 2021, Siva of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association worries that there will be an “expansion of illegal gaming.” To address these issues, Assemblyman James Ramos, a former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, has proposed Assembly Bill 341. This proposal seeks to extend the moratorium to a period of twenty years, as well as nullifying any license application for a cardroom that was not in operation before December 31, 2022. Surprisingly enough, the California Cardroom Alliance is in support of this bill as it does allow for some modest expansion for existing cardrooms.

At his speech, Siva made it known that he would like for there to be compliance with gaming laws prior to looking into potential expansions in the cardroom. As the moratorium for it is on its way out, accomplishing that goal will be almost impossible. “Therefore, we must hold our ground in negotiations and not let a moratorium extension be taken as a sign that the illegal actions are permitted,” he noted. “Tribes have constructed meaningful alliances with the state and its subdivisions, and we deserve the same level of consideration.”