Yaamava Casino: Overview and Information for California’s Native American Gaming Facility
What is Yaamava Casino?
Located in Highland, San Bernardino County, California, Yaamava Resort & Casino (formerly known as San Manuel Casino) is a gaming facility owned by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The casino operates under tribal sovereignty, allowing it to offer various forms of entertainment and revenue-generating activities while adhering to strict regulations.
History and Background
The San Manuel Tribe has a rich history dating back thousands of years. They initially inhabited the region visit Yaamava Casino around what is now known as Redlands, California, before being forcibly relocated by Spanish colonizers in the 18th century. After the Indian Removal Act of 1830 led many Native Americans to cede their lands, the San Manuel tribe was ultimately confined to a small reservation.
Following the federal government’s establishment of casinos on tribal lands through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988, the San Manuel Band secured permission to develop its own gaming facility. Initially opening as San Manuel Casino in 1994, the property expanded and modernized over time, now boasting a vast entertainment complex.
Tribal Sovereignty and Regulation
In the United States, Native American tribes hold inherent rights over their reservations under federal law (25 U.S.C. § 461). This doctrine of tribal sovereignty acknowledges that indigenous peoples have the authority to regulate their lands within limits set by Congress and other regulatory agencies.
To mitigate concerns surrounding gaming on tribal lands, IGRA requires participating tribes to establish tribal gaming commissions or councils for governance purposes. Additionally, states often collaborate with Native American nations to oversee casino operations through compacts (e.g., California-Native American Gaming Compacts).
These agreements cover key aspects such as:
- Revenue sharing between the state and tribe
- Tax obligations of both parties involved in gaming-related activities within a reservation area