Dale Miller, Chairman
Elk Valley Rancheria
Elk Valley Casino – Crescent City, CA
elkvalleycasino.com / elk-valley.com
BENEFITS OF GAMING: Gaming revenues have been a crucial lifeline for the Elk Valley Rancheria. They have allowed us to invest significantly in our tribal community, improving essential services such as healthcare, education, and housing. We’ve been able to provide scholarships for tribal members pursuing higher education and vocational training, which strengthens our community’s long-term economic stability. Additionally, gaming has enabled us to create jobs – not just for tribal members, but also for the surrounding community. This has led to a reduction in unemployment and increased local economic activity. We are proud to say that the Elk Valley Casino has been an anchor of growth, promoting business partnerships and tourism in Del Norte County.
GOALS & INITIATIVES: One of our main goals is to continue the economic diversification of the tribe beyond gaming. While gaming has provided significant benefits, we recognize the importance of long-term sustainability through investments in other industries, such as renewable energy and eco-tourism. We are working on initiatives to reduce our environmental impact by integrating energy efficiency measures and considering microgrid technology that will benefit both the casino and the broader community. We are also focused on expanding our youth programs, ensuring that our next generation has access to the skills and resources necessary to lead our tribe into the future. Moreover, the completion of our expanded gaming and entertainment facilities is a key priority, as we aim to offer a wider range of services and attract more visitors, enhancing our tribe’s financial security.
LEGISLATIVE: We are closely monitoring several legislative and judicial issues that impact both our tribe and the broader Native American community. One key area of concern is the ongoing efforts by some tribes to expand their base of gaming operations and how that affects our sovereignty and self-governance. We are also paying attention to any potential amendments to gaming regulations at the federal level, as these could have direct implications for our operations. Of course, we continue to watch the development of sports betting and iGaming in other states in anticipation that online sports betting will be forthcoming in California.
Another pressing issue is the protection of our natural resources. The tribe has a deep connection to the land, and any legislation that affects environmental protections, including the development of new renewable energy opportunities in the region, is of particular concern.
Lastly, we continue to advocate for the return of ancestral lands, which remains a cornerstone of our political efforts. Protecting our cultural heritage while pursuing economic development remains at the forefront of our tribal leadership’s agenda.
These responses reflect our commitment to not only maintaining the benefits gaming has brought to our tribe, but also ensuring a sustainable and sovereign future for the Elk Valley Rancheria.