Tribal casinos are on sovereign land, meaning they don’t fall under the jurisdiction of state or local health officials. The tribe contracts with Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment, the largest gaming company in the U.S. It uses the resort’s revenue to fund tribal government services for its more than 500 members and 5,000-acre reservation.
The Rincon Band of the Luiseño Indians owns the Valley Center casino. The county has refused to name specific businesses where outbreaks have occurred, including casinos. She noted that even though those who tested positive visited a casino during their potential exposure period, it doesn’t mean they contracted the coronavirus there. The cases are tied to seven of the county’s nine tribal casinos and involve 76 employees and 141 guests, county spokesperson Sarah Sweeney said. Because they are on sovereign land, they aren’t subject to local health regulations that ordered other businesses remain closed.
San Diego County’s nine tribal casinos reopened in May with limited operations, about two months after shutting down due to COVID-19.
