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What happens when you take a some land that sat idle for decades - once the site of a Navy Fuel Depot in WWII - then turn it into a Tribal Gaming Casino?

There are many things to consider.

Recognized native american tribes are considered sovereign nations - a status bestowed on their peoples and their reservation lands. The 44 acres of the Pt. Molate casino would thus be exempt from non-criminal state and local law with some exceptions for federal contracts.

The tribe members living and working at Pt. Molate would be exempt from CA income taxes. The property would also be exempt from city and county taxes - in exchange for which a fee is paid to the state, city and county.

The reservation would also be exempt from labor laws, smoking laws, land use and building ordinances and would be exempt from liability to personal, property, and environmental injury.

One of the great promises made by casino project developers and tribes is that gaming and casinos will bring jobs to the community and provide great gains for the economy.

While it is true that casinos can produce sizeable revenues, they are not an economic engine, indeed they are drains on local economies.

In urban environments it is estimated that for every $1.00 in casino revenue, the cost to services in the community is $3.00. Casinos don't generate new revenue, they take after tax revenue from patrons and re-distribute it to the tribes, and when the tribes are off reservation, the money leaves the area and is spent elsewhere.

Supplies for the casino are imported from elsewhere, and local businesses suffer as a 'black hole' of a self contained trade environment is created at the casino. Local restaurants, hotels, and markets are bypassed in favor of casino facilities crushing small businesses and reshaping for the worse the color and flavor of our commercial districts and neighborhoods.

The City of Richmond would no longer have any jurisdiction over Pt. Molate

Backing for tribal casino developments comes from outside investors, mostly from Las Vegas and other gaming interests. In the current economic climate getting financing is difficult, especially when there is no protection in the event of a default. US bankrupcy laws do not apply to tribal nations, making casino investments unattractive.

There are already 62 tribal casinos in California, and one in San Pablo - only three miles away. With the downturn in the economy the gaming industry has also suffered as consumers conserve their disposable income.

The highest rates of housing foreclosures in the US are in 'gaming towns', particularly Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Casinos are also going broke with several high profile collapses in Las Vegas and many tribal casinos defaulting on bonds and payments.