Reopening Of Pechanga, Other Casinos Gets Nod From RivCo Supes
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Pechanga Resort Casino near Temecula and other tribal casinos in Riverside County got a blessing from the board of supervisors to immediately begin welcoming back gamblers.
Pechanga announced earlier this month that it plans to reopen as early as June 1. On Tuesday, that decision was bolstered when the Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution fully supporting tribal governments returning to business and helping jumpstart the local economy.
The resolution brought forward by District 5 Supervisor Jeff Hewitt and amended by District 3 Supervisor Chuck Washington states that tribal governments wanting to reopen their casinos in Riverside County will do so in accordance with the National Indian Gaming Commission guidelines.
The tribes have developed their own protocols for protecting their patrons and workers as they prepare to reopen, according to the resolution.
Morongo Resort Casino in Cabazon is in Hewitt's district. The facility plans to reopen Friday in a limited/managed capacity. Casino officials have taken many steps to protect patrons and employees by limiting the number of players at gaming tables, enhancing cleaning protocols, installation of multiple hand sanitizer stations, and a face mask policy, according to Hewitt.
"I was impressed with the levels they are going to," he said.
“Our reopening is being guided by our abiding commitment to protecting the health and well-being of our guests, team members, and the community," said Morongo’s Chief Operating Officer Richard St. Jean. "We have spent countless hours developing enhanced safety and sanitation protocols and procedures that strengthen our already-exacting standards for cleanliness."
Like Hewitt, Washington has several tribes in his district, including the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians that operates Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula. The supervisor pointed out that tribes must answer to state and federal regulators, and they are very important to the Riverside County economy.
In 2019, it was announced that Temecula reached annual visitor spending of $1.1 billion. The biggest tourist attractions in Temecula are Wine Country, Pechanga and Old Town Temecula.
In addition to Pechanga and Morongo casinos being reopened, the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians also will reopen its Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella and Tortoise Rock Casino in Twentynine Palms at 10 a.m. Friday, also with new protective measures, including recently purchased air purification equipment and mandatory face coverings.
The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians announced it would reopen its Soboba Casino near San Jacinto at noon Wednesday, May 27, with new measures in place designed to guard against COVID-19.
The full resolution approved by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors follows:
Board of Supervisors County of Riverside
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-148
RECOGNIZING THE SOVEREIGNTY OF TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AND ENCOURAGING TRIBAL CASINOS TO REOPEN SAFELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL GUIDELINES
Whereas, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors recognizes the sovereignty of tribal governments and appreciates strong government-to-government relationships with 11 tribes in Riverside County;
Whereas, tribal gaming has a rich and significant history in Riverside County, which is home to the two tribes that won a historic U.S. Supreme Court case in 1987 against the State of California in the battle over tribal gaming;
Whereas, eight tribes now have thriving gaming operations in Riverside County, fueling our economy, supporting their own members and providing jobs for many of our residents;
Whereas, tribes are governed by their own tribal regulatory bodies, the National Indian Gaming Commission and the California Gambling Control Commission;
Whereas, Riverside County gaming tribes signed negotiated compacts with the State of California, in accordance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, which requires tribes and states to enter agreements addressing regulation and the scope of gaming;
Whereas, the National Indian Gaming Commission has provided guidance for tribes looking to reopen safely after closing due to the pandemic;
Whereas, tribes have developed their own protocols for protecting their patrons and workers as they prepare to reopen;
Whereas, the State of California has engaged in government-to-government discussions with tribes about how best to safely reopen and is preparing guidance to that end;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Riverside County Board of Supervisors does hereby declare its recognition of and respect for tribal sovereignty and encourage tribal governments to work collaboratively with the State of California and the National Indian Gaming Commission along with their own tribal regulatory bodies to ensure they reopen in the safest manner possible for their workforce, patrons and the entire community of Riverside County.
This article originally appeared on the Temecula Patch
