Sonoma County Tribal Casino Approved By State Senate
SONOMA COUNTY (CBS / AP) -- The state Senate has approved an agreement with a Northern California Indian tribe that plans to build a casino in Sonoma County.
Gov. Jerry Brown signed a compact in March with the 1,300-member Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which intends to build on 254 acres near Rohnert Park. The Senate ratified it Monday on a 34-4 vote.
The bill, AB517, now goes to the state Assembly.
The compact allows for 3,000 slot machines and card games.
Up to 15 percent of the casino's net winnings would go to the city and county to offset the casino's effects. The tribe would pay the state $1.4 million a year for its costs of regulating gambling and assisting problem gamblers.
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