The Wilton Rancheria Tribe, a significant player in the tribal casino industry as the owner and operator of the Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, California, has made history. They are the first Tribal Nation to own a majority of a professional sports team in the USA, with their recent acquisition of the Sacramento-based USL Championship soccer team, Republic FC.
Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango Jr. said in a statement, “Wilton Rancheria is proud to be the first Tribal Nation to hold majority ownership of a men’s professional sports team, an industry where ownership has not traditionally reflected the diversity of its fans or surrounding communities.”
Tarango said, “This milestone not only marks a significant step for Wilton Rancheria but also reinforces Sacramento’s dedication to inclusivity and opportunity. Wilton Rancheria has always been a part of Sacramento’s history, but this partnership marks a new chapter for us, with an opportunity to help write its future.”
The Sky River Casino, a key player in the Sacramento community, has not only been involved with the Republic FC by offering guest services and exclusive perks for Sky River guests but is also set to undergo a significant expansion. With the recent majority ownership, the casino resort has announced plans to expand its offerings, including hotel services equipped with amenities such as event space, spas, and a pool, promising an exciting future for the casino and its patrons.
USL Championship Soccer
The USL Championship Soccer League, a professional men’s soccer league, has been playing in the USA since 2011. Over the years, the USL and MLS have had multiple partnerships, but recently, the two leagues have cut ties, leading to the USL’s independent status in the US soccer landscape.
The Sacramento Republic FC, a team that has captured the hearts of many Californians, has had its fair share of success. They clinched the USL Championship title once in 2014 and have made the playoffs on eight occasions.
California Tribal Casinos
According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), there are currently 66 Indian casinos in California owned by 63 of the 76 compacted tribes. The state compact revised in 2012 allows various forms of class III gaming at each location, giving select tribes the option of operating more than 2,000 gaming machines.
Both the tribes and the state regulate the local casinos, with tribal commissions and the state gaming commission overseeing them.
Online Casinos In California
With 66 local casinos, California has no gaming shortage. However, online CA casinos are also available to residents and tourists. The state does not authorize tribal casinos to operate online, but there are no laws preventing out-of-state online casinos from accepting California players.
The most trusted online casinos have been accepting players from the Golden State since the early 2000s. With third-party oversight and compliance checks to ensure player protections are in place, many players navigate toward mobile slots and table games.
Popular online casino games include blackjack, slots, video poker, baccarat, roulette, live dealer, and specialty games. Players often find more table game variations and more profound slot libraries when playing online.