New Tribal Casino Opens in Palm Springs

Amid hopes for a revitalized downtown and some controversy, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has opened the $95 million Spa Resort Casino here. After 11 months of construction, the casino officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony November 6 after a quieter opening earlier last week.

"The fact that it's downtown is what's really going to give it major impact for Palm Springs," said Jessica Scarffe, executive director of the nonprofit Palm Springs Economic Development Corp.

Not everyone in the city is as excited about the new casino. A group of citizens is suing the city and its redevelopment agency over a land deal with the tribe, saying it violates state law by giving public money to a gambling casino.

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