SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2173, authored by Assemblymember Greg Wallis, ratifying the amended tribal-state gaming compact between the State of California and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
The compact amendment extends the agreement through Dec. 31, 2061, and provides additional flexibility for future growth, including up to 500 additional gaming devices. It also restructures the tribe’s contributions to California’s Revenue Sharing Trust Fund, which supports non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes.
“Agua Caliente has been a tremendous partner to the Coachella Valley for generations, working closely with our local governments and investing in the communities we call home,” said Assemblymember Wallis. “This agreement respects tribal sovereignty, supports continued economic opportunity, and strengthens a partnership that has delivered real benefits throughout our region. I’m grateful to Governor Newsom for signing AB 2173 and to Chairman Jeff Grubbe and the tribe for their work to get this across the finish line.”
The Agua Caliente reservation encompasses significant portions of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Cathedral City. The tribe employs approximately 3,200 people across its gaming and non-gaming economic ventures, making it one of the largest employers in the Coachella Valley.
AB 2173 passed both houses of the Legislature without opposition and, as an urgency measure, takes effect immediately.