Story perspectives

San Manuel Nation Opens $760 Million Yaamava’ Resort

8/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation opened the $760 million Yaamava’ Resort & Casino.
The tribe opened a bingo hall in 1986, creating jobs after local industry closures.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld tribal bingo rights, prompting the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
California Proposition 1A and Proposition 5 later authorized Class III gaming compacts in the state.
Revenue from gaming funds medical care for elders, teachers and generators to prevent outages.

History

Historical Context

After the 1987 Supreme Court ruling in California v. Cabazon affirmed tribal bingo rights, Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, and Proposition 1A in 2000 earmarked $1 billion for California tribal casino projects. Building on that framework, the San Manuel Nation opened the $760 million Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, a flagship of tribal economic empowerment.

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Story summary

U.S. Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation opened the $760 million Yaamava’ Resort & Casino.
The tribe opened a bingo hall in 1986, creating jobs after local industry closures.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld tribal bingo rights, prompting the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
California Proposition 1A and Proposition 5 later authorized Class III gaming compacts in the state.
Revenue from gaming funds medical care for elders, teachers and generators to prevent outages.

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