SACRAMENTO -- Days after winning approval for more slot machines, a Fresno County tribe withdrew its application, according to a state report made public Thursday.
The Big Sandy Band of Western Mono Indians was awarded 1,650 slot licenses at a state drawing Oct. 5. But the tribe never made the more than $2 million payment for the licenses and withdrew its application Oct. 12, according to a staff report from the California Gambling Control Commission.
The commission did not provide details, citing confidentiality rules.
Big Sandy operates the small, 350-slot Mono Wind Casino near Auberry, but is planning a new Las Vegas-style casino in the foothills east of Friant.
Tribal Chairwoman Elizabeth Kipp said in an e-mail that the tribe withdrew its license bid to "evaluate our position" but is still planning the new casino.
The casino is far from a sure bet, however, as the tribe works through the environmental review process.
The state offered 10,549 new slot licenses after a federal judge ruled California had improperly set a statewide cap on slots covered under gambling agreements approved in 1999. With demand low amid the recession, tribes sought only 3,548 licenses at the draw.
The La Jolla Band of Luiseño Mission Indians in San Diego County also withdrew its bid and other tribes reduced their applications, meaning just 1,878 slot licenses were issued. Two-hundred of the licenses went to the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, bringing to 2,000 the number of slots at its casino in Coarsegold, the tribe said.
Big Sandy and other tribes covered by the court ruling can ask for another draw at any time to distribute the remaining 8,671 licenses, state regulators said. The new licenses could be revoked if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wins his appeal of the federal court ruling, which will be heard in February.
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