Re "Decade reveals unintended results of law expanding tribal casino games" (Viewpoints, Dec. 24): The commentary identified "reservation shopping" in urban areas as an unintended consequence of the approval of tribal gaming in 2000. Residents of the city of Richmond can attest to that. Seven years ago the city of Richmond was targeted by developers for an Indian casino.

The developers went tribe shopping and found the Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians from Mendocino County. The tribe willingly partnered, lending its sovereignty for the chance of striking it rich with a casino in a metropolitan location, 110 miles from its established trust lands.

A commissioned $100,000 feasibility study excluded both a public poll and a social impacts component. Thousands of citizens in western Contra Costa County responded to a mailer concerning urban casinos. Many responders were in opposition to urban casinos. In short, the city, swayed by casino dollars, has refused to give the residents a voice.

As a community activist I have spoken to hundreds if not thousands of Richmond residents and can testify that the vast majority are opposed to this project and view it as an abuse of the law expanding tribal gaming. We did not vote for this.

– Charles T. Smith, Richmond