The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is looking to ratify their gaming compact with the state of California, to increase the number of slot machines from 2,000 to 7,500. This comes hot on the heels of another compact making its way through the Legislature – that of the Aqua Caliente Indians who are looking to open another casino and operate another 3,000 slot machines as well. If the compact is agreed on to be amended, State Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) might end up being the one to draw it up, and he is just fine with that. 

He says that although at this point he has no details of the compact, he is fully for the tribe’s expansion. "Frankly, Indian gaming isn't a problem for me. And certainly in times of emergency, (the tribe) has been among the first to step up." Dutton was referring to the 2003 San Bernardino County fires in which the tribe stepped up and helped out the county.  

The tribe already has one casino, San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, which is up in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. The casino is a $300 million, 480,000 square foot business that is already running 2,000 slot machines. The tribe is looking to expand, while staying true to their employees and keeping the labor provisions set forth by Governor Gray Davis.

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