“The disregard for public health and safety outlined in this lawsuit is consistent with the arrogance we’ve grown to expect from many tribal casino operators in California,” Kirkland said. Newsom said during his press conference that day, but some have since reopened outdoors. Cardrooms were forced to suspend indoor operations on July 1, Gov. The association represents cardrooms - which are not allowed on tribal lands - throughout the state, many of which remain closed under California’s stay-at-home order. In the letter, he acknowledged the rights tribes have as sovereign nations and noted the financial impact the closures had taken on them, but stressed that casinos were high-risk businesses because of the amount of employees and guests who visit them.Ĭalifornia Gaming Association President Kyle Kirkland said via email that by tribal casinos continuing to be open during the stay-at-home order, they could become “super spreader hotspots.” Newsom wrote a letter to tribal leaders asking them to reconsider their timelines based on conditions in the surrounding communities. In May, after local casinos announced plans to reopen, Gov. A Caesars Entertainment spokesperson also said the company doesn’t comment on pending litigation. Rincon Director of Communications Tanya Duggan said via email that the tribe doesn’t comment on active litigation or personnel matters.

In a Rincon tribal newsletter published after its reopening, Mazzetti wrote that “someone had to take charge and do something for Indian tribes and reservations” because “no direction was given by the Governor’s Office during the shelter in place and business closure executive orders pertaining to the needs of tribal government operations, tribal membership and impacts on tribal businesses.” Prior to its reopening, the casino released details of its new sanitation and health protocols, which included a requirement for guests to wear facial coverings and have their temperature checked before entering the building. After closing mid-March in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, the casino reopened with a limited capacity on May 22.

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