Southern California May See More Slots Soon

SACRAMENTO, California – As reported by the Desert Sun: "Two of California's richest Indian casino operators, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Morongo Band of Mission Indians,
  make their case in Sacramento Tuesday for support of new gambling compacts that could collectively grow their slots by a total of 8,500.

"That would almost double the number of slot machines in the Coachella Valley.

"Industry experts predict the market - already home to seven tribal casinos and more than 9,100 slot machines - will support the growth.

"Hearings at the state Senate this week comes about a week after the debut of Red Earth Casino along Highway 86 near the Salton Sea.

"That casino's owner, the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, wants to add another 1,650 slots to its existing 349. Its compact is separate from the one legislators will consider next week.

"…Nancy Conrad, spokeswoman for Agua Caliente, said the tribe plans to let the market dictate its full roll-out and has commissioned experts to assist with that. Others are watching the economy to lay out expansion plans.

"'We feel the market is there,'' added Gary Kovall, attorney for Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians' Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella. '(The valley is) becoming more of a gambling destination.'