California could reject a US$400m casino

Wilton Rancheria native tribe introduced a project to install a casino in Elk Grove, Sacramento.

US.- The Californian native tribe of Wilton Rancheria has introduced a casino project to be constructed in Elk Grove, Sacramento. As the Elk Grove’s City Council seems willing to approve the proposal, which would lead to an investment of US$400 million, residents presented a referendum to stop the construction of the gaming venue.

Yesterday, Californian media made public that the referendum was backed by the local entrepreneur Roy Choi. The chief executive officer of KCM Agency, a Los Angeles marketing firm, has gathered over 14,800 until November 21 among Elk Grove residents to stop the government’s approval.

Roy Choi also operates Knighted Ventures LLC, the company that paid for the signature gathering. The firm filed its disclosure notice with the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission before the information was released at national level. Apparently, the entrepreneur has interests in a small Sacramento casino, which would fall in the competition with the larger tribal venue.

Elk Grove has 30 days to assess the residents referendum supported by Knighted Ventures LLC in order to decide whether the casino would be constructed or not. Last October 12, the City Council granted the native tribe 35.9 where the casino resort would be installed.