Yet another California native tribe has announced its opposition to Assembly Bill 831, which would prohibit sweepstakes casinos in the state, calling it a “flawed and rushed bill that lacks broad tribal consensus.”
The Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria claims that AB 831 “would limit economic options available to tribes and worsen already fragile economic conditions …” in a strongly worded letter to California President pro Tempore Senator Mike McGuire.
There are now four tribes in California aligned publicly against AB 831:
- Big Lagoon Rancheria
Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation - Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria
Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians
Divide among Indian tribes in California
In a letter dated Sept. 3 and signed by Sandra Knight, Vice Chair
Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, it was shared that “economic implications and divide amongst tribes across California” as a core reason it opposes AB 831.
Further, the Mechoopda Tribal points out the economic struggles inherent with tribal nations in the state, explaining that “[California tribal] housing faces a crisis with 40% of Native American households experiencing overcrowding, compared to 8% of all California households…”
The “current gaming landscape in California has created a stark economic divide among tribal nations” writes Sandra Knight, Vice Chair of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria in the letter to the California Senate.
Future still unclear with sweepstakes casinos
Even while social gaming companies like Pulsz are active in the state, a handful of tribes are taking umbrage with a ban on such activity. The worry seems to center on economic viability and the possibility that a blanket ban would hinder revenue streams for these tribal lands.
The Mechoopda reportedly have a partnership with Yellow Social Interactive Limited, owners of Pulsz social gaming product, via its alliance with the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance. That connection could be influencing the tribe to be wary of any ban on social or sweepstakes casinos in California.
Mechoopda: California gaming is an unfair “two-tiered system”
Mechoopda says the current California gaming environment is “a two-tiered system where wealthy gaming tribes can afford to lobby for policies that protect their market dominance, while smaller tribes are left with fewer pathways to economic sustainability.”
On Sept. 3, the Senate amended AB 831, and on Sept. 4, it was ordered to third reading—advancing toward a Senate floor vote.
The bill was then amended on Sept. 4 to read “This bill would specify that these provisions do not make unlawful or otherwise restrict lawful games and methods used by a gambling enterprise licensed under the Gambling Control Act or operations of the California State Lottery. The bill would specify that these provisions do not make unlawful game promotions or sweepstakes conducted by for-profit commercial entities on a limited and occasional basis as an advertising and marketing tool that are incidental to substantial bona fide sales of consumer products or services and that are not intended to provide a vehicle for the establishment of ongoing gambling or gaming.”
The term “gambling-themed games” in the legislation has also been adjusted to just “gambling”, specifying that “lottery games, bingo, sports wagering, or any game that mimics or simulates similar gambling” would be prohibited.
