CNIGA swells roster after Chair cautions on California sports betting

California

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association has hailed a “greater perspective for the whole organisation” after adding five more tribes to its membership roster.

Joining the regional tribal gaming association are the Alturas Indian Rancheria, which owns the Desert Rose Casino, as well as the Big Sandy Rancheria of Mono Indians, owners of the Mono Wind Casino, and the Colusa Rancheria, which boast the Colusa Casino Resort.

Further additions include the Karuk Tribe, owners of the Rain Rock Casino, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which counts Northern California’s Cache Creek Casino Resort as part of its stable.

Via the additions, the latter four of which are former CNIGA members returning to the fold, membership now stands at 47 tribes, representing more than 40 per cent of those federally recognised in the state. This number is up from the 39 registered in 2019.

CNIGA was founded in 1988 and is composed solely of federally recognised tribal governments and associate members who are dedicated to the tribal government gaming industry. 

“We heartily welcome these tribal governments into this great organisation and are honoured to have them as members,” said James Siva, CNIGA Chair. 

“As each tribe is unique, more tribal members bring greater perspective for the whole organisation. We look forward to their participation.”

Last week, Siva delivered a State of the Tribal Nations address at the 26th annual Western Indian Gaming Conference at the Sycuan Resort Casino, where a sports betting warning was fired following failed attempts at legalisation during the past year,

Regarding the defeat of proposition 27, Siva noted: “This initiative suffered one of the widest defeats in California history and should serve as a cautionary tale to those that attempt to enter the California gaming market without working directly with tribes.”