With Propositions 26 and 27 both related to tribal gaming, we look at the history of Native Americans and their casinos.
The Rincon Band of Mission Indians, located in San Diego County, made the first attempt to open a tribal casino in California in 1970. The San Diego County sheriff shut it down and the courts agreed with the decision.
Casino gaming came to the forefront of Indian matters during the 1980s. Controversy didn’t swirl around online sports betting or large Las Vegas-style resorts, but it began with small-scale bingo games. The opening of several reservation bingo halls led to court cases between state and tribal interests in Wisconsin, Florida and California.
