Sherwood Valley Band, Third California Tribe to Oppose AB 831

The Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians has voiced strong opposition to California Assembly 831, a bill currently moving through the legislature aimed at completely banning all forms of sweepstakes gaming in the state. 

The tribe joins Big Lagoon Rancheria and Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation of the Cortina Rancheria Tribe in expressing their transparent stance against the bill that had unanimous support when it cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee on August 18. 

No to Anti-Sweepstakes Law

In a formal letter addressed to Chair Ann Caballero (D-Merced) and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, tribal leaders “respectfully” emphasized that the proposal, now in the panel’s “suspense file”, does not represent the California tribes’ unified perspective.

More importantly, the bill, which previously passed through the Public Safety Committee and the Governmental Organization Committee, also with unanimous votes, is at risk of undermining the “inherent right” of smaller tribes to build sustainable sources of income.

The letter went on to explain that, for tribes located in rural areas like Sherwood Valley, traditional economic development has always been a challenge, with gaming providing an important foundation. 

Smaller tribal operations, on the other hand, are not able to compete with the reach and resources of larger, well-established casinos located near urban centers. By restricting opportunities in digital commerce, AB 831 would cut off a vital path to diversification, leaving smaller tribes at an even greater disadvantage compared to wealthier gaming nations.

Digital platforms, tribal leaders explained, represent more than just business ventures, as they are lifelines with the potential to support housing, healthcare, education, food security, and community programs. 

Challenges Explained

The letter, signed by the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians’s secretary, Buffey W. Bourassa, also highlights the challenges Sherwood Valley is currently facing, including housing shortages with entire families forced into overcrowded living arrangements, often with several generations sharing a single home, and homelessness experienced by many tribal members left with no stable shelter who are having a hard time accessing employment and healthcare.

Poverty also counts among the hardships the tribe is dealing with, as roughly one in three residents of California’s tribal areas lives below the poverty line. According to the letter, basic needs often go unmet in the Sherwood Valley area.

Unemployment is another harsh reality mentioned on the same list, triggered by the scarce job opportunities in the region and the fact that those who can work must often travel long distances without reliable transportation.

Finally, the letter mentions food insecurity, citing studies that say the rates in rural Native households reached as high as 92%, compared with the national average of 14%.

“These challenges demand urgent attention.”, tribal leaders concluded, adding that by putting an end to regulated online operations, the current disparities would worsen. 

In closing, Sherwood Valley asked lawmakers to reject AB 831 and instead look for different solutions that would “empower all tribes to diversify economically, address systemic challenges, and chart a path toward sustainable self-governance and prosperity.”

Last month, the Social and Promotional Games Association sent a similarly moving and forceful message to lawmakers, urging them to reject the bill they described as rushed, overly broad, and harmful to the economy.