Tribe Announces Plans to Build $180-Million Casino
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ESCONDIDO — The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians has announced plans for a $180-million casino and resort to be built with the help of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.
The casino will include a Mediterranean-style luxury resort overlooking Lake Wohlford, about six miles northeast of Escondido, and is expected to create about 1,600 jobs.
The tribes want to build a 200-room hotel and villa, a spa, equestrian facilities, five restaurants and, eventually, an 18-hole golf course. The casino will have about 2,000 slot machines, said Rick Barioni, a project spokesman.
The National Indian Gaming Commission must approve the plans.
California voters in March passed Proposition 1A, which allows American Indian tribes to operate casinos with Las Vegas-style slot machines and card games.
Two other northern San Diego County tribes previously announced plans for casinos.
The Pala Band of Mission Indians and Anchor Gaming want to build a $90-million casino near Fallbrook. The Rincon Band of Mission Indians announced a $100-million deal with Harrah’s Entertainment to build a casino east of Valley Center.
The San Pasqual reservation, just east of Escondido, has 300 members and will team up with the Tunica-Biloxi, who run three casinos.
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