Gov. Brown Authorizes Off-Reservation Casinos In California

Agreements still require legislative approval, which is where opponents (rival tribes) have the most influence

Gov. Jerry Brown approved a plan for two tribes to open casinos away from their ancestral lands, a move that he said would create jobs and help local communities. But critics say the plan could lead to a massive expansion of gambling in California.

In a statement Friday, Brown announced his administration agreed with an earlier ruling from the federal Department of the Interior granting the right of two Northern California tribes—the North Fork Rancheria Band of Mono Indians to open a casino in Madera County and the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the Enterprise Rancheria near Yuba City —  to each open 2,000-slot-machine casinos near state highways.

Critics of the plans said Brown had opened the door to a massive expansion of tribal casinos that could lead to new game rooms being opened in or near urban areas across the state.