Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. State of Cal.

788 F. Supp. 1513, 92 Daily Journal DAR 16096, 1992 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4239, 1992 WL 71193
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. California
DecidedMarch 31, 1992
DocketCiv. S-90-1118-DFL
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 788 F. Supp. 1513 (Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. State of Cal.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. State of Cal., 788 F. Supp. 1513, 92 Daily Journal DAR 16096, 1992 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4239, 1992 WL 71193 (E.D. Cal. 1992).

Opinion

*1514 ORDER

LEVI, District Judge.

The Cabazon and Sycuan Bands of Mission Indians (the “Tribes”) seek a determination that the State of California cannot impose license fees on its on-reservation betting facilities for simulcast horse racing. The Tribes argue that the license fees are a direct tax on them that is barred by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (“IGRA”) and the doctrine of tribal sovereign immunity. California asserts that the license fees are permissible under IGRA because the fees do not constitute a direct tax on the Tribes. Both parties move for summary judgment. The State’s motion is granted and the Tribes’ motion is denied.

I

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (“IGRA”), 25 U.S.C. §§ 2701-2721, authorizes Indian tribes to conduct gaming activities that are permitted in the state in which the tribes’ lands are located. The purpose of permitting Indian tribes to run gaming operations is to promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments. 25 U.S.C. § 2702(1). IGRA classifies gaming into three different categories and permits varying degrees of tribal, state, and federal regulation. Class I gaming, which involves social games for prizes of minimal value, is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Indian tribes and is not subject to state or federal regulation. 25 U.S.C. §§ 2703(6) and 2710(a). Class II gaming, which includes bingo and some card games, is within the jurisdiction of the tribes, but is also subject to federal regulation. 25 U.S.C. § 2703(7)(A)-(D), § 2710(a)(2). Class III gaming, which includes all gaming not covered by Classes I & II, is permissible only if it is: (1) authorized by a resolution of the tribe’s governing body; (2) approved by the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission; (3) located in a state that permits that type of gaming; and (4) conducted pursuant to a tribal-state compact. 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(1). Off-track betting at simulcast wagering facilities is Class III gaming under IGRA. (Stipulated Statement of Facts (“SSF”) at 1110.)

Unlike Class I and II gaming, IGRA provides that Class III gaming will be subject to extensive state regulation. The states have a greater interest in regulating the more sophisticated types of gaming covered by Class III because most participants will be non-Indians, and there is a significant risk of infiltration by criminal elements. See 134 Cong.Rec. H8146-01. Because of the importance of the states’ interests affected by Class III gaming, and because of the extensive state regulation of Class III gaming, IGRA requires that tribes and states negotiate tribal-state compacts which govern many aspects of the conduct of the gaming.

IGRA contemplates a highly flexible compact negotiation process, in which the states and tribes may agree upon a multitude of issues related to the conduct of Class III gaming. IGRA provides that tribal-state compacts may contain provisions covering, inter alia, questions such as the application of criminal and civil laws related to gaming regulation, allocation of jurisdiction over criminal and civil matters, state taxation to cover costs of regulation, and remedies for breach of contract. See 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(3)(C)(i)-(vii). 1

*1515 ii

California permits horse racing enthusiasts to bet on races both at the track where the races are conducted and at off-site facilities. Off-track betting is conducted at facilities that receive a simultaneous satellite transmission of live races. The offtrack facilities are electronically connected to the originating tracks so that the bets placed at the off-track facilities are part of the parimutuel 2 betting pool. (SSF at ¶ 12.) The California Horse Racing Board approves the off-track betting facilities, which are known as “simulcast” or “satellite” wagering facilities. Id. Racing associations, composed of the operators of live races, can form organizations to transmit the audio-visual signal and administer the parimutuel betting operations at simulcast facilities. Id.

California has an extensive statutory scheme for regulating and taxing horse racing and off-track betting at simulcast satellite wagering facilities. The statutory plan provides for the distribution of all money wagered that is not paid out to bettors. The money is allocated in predetermined percentages to California, simulcast facility operators, racing associations composed of operators of live races, and various other public and private entities. In order to finance the cost of regulation by the state horse racing board and to raise revenues, California requires that between one-and-a-half and four percent of the amount wagered at simulcast facilities be paid to the state as license fees. Cal.Bus. & Prof.Code § 19611. Additional license fees payable to the state are provided for by sections 19606.5 and 19606.6. The racing associations are responsible for paying the license fees to California. Cal.Bus. & Prof.Code §§ 19605.7(i) & 19605.71(d). Any monies left over are paid to the racing associations and the horsemen who participate in the races. Cal.Bus. & Prof.Code §§ 19605.8 & 19606.

III

The Tribes entered into compacts with California to operate simulcast wagering facilities on their reservations, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d). 3 The compacts have been approved by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior and published in the Federal Register, as required by 25 U.S.C. § 2710(d)(2)(B). (SSF at ¶¶ 21-22.) Both Tribes are presently operating simulcast wagering facilities on their respective reservations under agreements with the racing associations. SSF at 1123.

The Tribes are entitled to keep-2.33% of the total wagers placed at their facilities, pursuant to their compact with California. All off-track facilities retain 2% as a commission, and pay .33% to the local government entity. The tribes keep both the 2% ordinarily payable to the facility operator, and the additional .33% as the local government entity. (SSF at ¶ 24.) Thus, the Tribes receive the same revenue paid to non-Tribe simulcast operators' plus the same revenue paid to non-Tribe local governments.

The Cabazon Band’s simulcast wagering facility generated nearly $300,000 in license fees for California between March 1, 1990, and February 28, 1991.

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788 F. Supp. 1513, 92 Daily Journal DAR 16096, 1992 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4239, 1992 WL 71193, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/cabazon-band-of-mission-indians-v-state-of-cal-caed-1992.