Tribes are subject to federal law, Melnicoe added. “I don’t know of anything – I’d have to take a look – but I can’t think of anything in compacts dealing with epidemics or pandemics … which would cede authority to the state to basically close down casinos,” Melnicoe said.
Tribes with casinos sign gaming compacts with the state. Peter Melnicoe, a former chief counsel for the state Gambling Control Commission, said that tribes “on their tribal land, do have a measure of sovereignty.”īecause of that, while the state’s criminal laws apply, regulatory laws generally do not, he said. “We appreciate that some have taken the proactive measure to close.” “We understand that it’s an economic hardship and would have a lasting impact for any business to close down,” she said. By late Monday evening, Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa near Cabazon announced that it would be temporarily closing its doors starting at noon on Tuesday, March 17 through March 31.īecause the casinos are on sovereign tribal land, the county can’t order them to close, Riverside County spokeswoman Brooke Federico said.
