Gambling seems to have been a good bet for El Dorado County and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.

The tribe owns the Red Hawk Casino east of Sacramento. The casino opened one year ago as the economy in the Central Valley was going into the tank.

Despite that, the facility pulled in enough gamblers to throw off the $7.7 million, the tribe says.

The Shingle Springs Band says the largest portion of the total -- $5.2 million -- represents the first of 20 payments to extend Highway 50's HOV lanes both eastbound and westbound from Bass Lake Road to South Shingle Road/Ponderosa Road.

Additional checks being presented Tuesday include $2 million for the county’s general discretionary fund and $500,000 representing sales taxes collected on retail goods. In addition to the three checks, the tribe will also make its second payment of $125,000 for public safety.

"We are very proud of the contributions that we have made to the community since we opened Red Hawk Casino," says Tribal Chairman Nicholas Fonseca. "Over the course of the past year, we have donated to a diverse group of organizations including those in the Native American community, the Asian American community, local organizations in and around El Dorado County, veterans, and public service organizations."

In addition to its contributions to El Dorado County, the Shingle Springs Band has also donated more than $194,000 in charitable contributions to various organizations in the community, it says. Additionally, Red Hawk Casino employees have dedicated more than 350 volunteer hours in the community.

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians is a federally recognized tribe located in El Dorado County. The tribe, whose members consist of Miwok, Maidu and Nisenan Indians, governs the Shingle Springs Rancheria, a 160-acre Indian reservation in Shingle Springs.