The Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, which owns Harrah’s Resort Southern California, has chosen to opt out of having the state of California oversee its gaming operations. Instead it will work directly with the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). It becomes the first California gaming tribe to do so.

Last November the State and Rincon agreed to give the regulatory oversight of gaming to NIGC and that Rincon would no longer have California provide regulatory oversight. Rincon signed the agreement with NIGC on January 3.

This is a culmination of a dozen years struggle with the State that began during the Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger administration in 2004. Tribal Chairman Bo Mazzetti has been at the helm of the tribe during that entire period. He has been chairman for 16 years.