TRINIDAD, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a revised gaming compact with the Trinidad Rancheria, allowing the tribe to continue operating its casino under renewed terms through December 31, 2025.
The updated agreement, established under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), authorizes the tribe to offer slot machines, blackjack, and other casino games on tribal lands. It extends a longstanding partnership between the Trinidad Rancheria and the State of California, originally formalized in 1999 and previously updated in 2022 and 2023.
While no new provisions were introduced, the extension provides stability, giving both the state and the tribe additional time to finalize a long-term agreement. Casino operations and local revenue generation will remain uninterrupted during this period. Revenue-sharing terms remain in place, ensuring a portion of casino profits continues to support statewide public services and infrastructure projects.
The compact also reinforces regulatory oversight, requiring compliance with stringent guidelines, independent audits, and monitoring by the California Gambling Control Commission to uphold fairness and transparency. In addition, the agreement promotes workforce development by encouraging the hiring of Native Americans, local residents, and people from neighboring communities. It also supports job training and career advancement in the gaming and hospitality sectors.
The Heights Casino remains a vital economic engine for the Trinidad Rancheria, providing dozens of local jobs and contributing significantly to the tribe’s financial stability. With the compact now extended, attention turns to negotiating a more comprehensive, long-term agreement in the months ahead.
