Gaming Commission

The Coyote Valley Gaming Commission has been delegated the responsibility of enforcing all applicable tribal, state, and federal laws, and the regulations promulgated by the Gaming Commission for the purpose of carrying out its duties under the Compact and the Gaming Ordinance.

The Gaming Commission has a regulatory responsibility to ensure that: (1) any game offered for play to the general public is truly a random game of chance; (2) the facility where any gaming activity takes place is safe and poses no danger to the public or employees who work in the facility; (3) the assets of the casino are accurately counted and accounted for (i.e., that no thefts occur within the casino and that the income generated from the operation of the casino is used strictly to pay for the cost of the facility, expansion of the facility and payments to the Tribe); (4) any disputes regarding the payment of a jackpot which arise between the casino and a patron are fairly resolved; and (5) undesirable or unsuitable employees or patrons are not allowed to work in or frequent the casino.

The Commission makes decisions pertaining to the adoption of regulations and standards that comply with applicable law, investigates issues of non-compliance, conducts background checks, and grants, denies or revokes Gaming Licenses. The Gaming Commission is a quasi- judicial body, and bases its decisions on facts and evidence contained in their records.

Hannah Ortiz, Chairperson

Hannah Ortiz was born on the old Coyote Valley Reservation to Fred C. and Altheia Campbell Ortiz. She was delivered at home by her maternal Grandmother, Angelina Campbell. Hannah has served as the Chairperson of the Coyote Valley Gaming Commission for four and a half years. She was also the Executive Director of the Gaming Commission during a previous three year term as Gaming Commissioner. In her first term as Gaming Commissioner, Commissioner Ortiz helped develop the Gaming Licensing procedures which are still being used by the Coyote Valley Gaming Commission today. She has shown her commitment to following and enforcing the law, and unwavering sense of responsibility to protect Tribal assets.

Priscilla Hunter, Vice-Chairperson

Priscilla Hunter was born on February 18, 1947 in Ukiah, CA. She is a member of the Coyote Valley Tribe. She has two children, Michael Hunter, who is chairman of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, and Melinda Hunter, who is council member of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians. She was the tribal administrator for Coyote Valley for 15 years and Tribal Chairwoman. She is now an elder serving as a Gaming Commissioner, which she enjoys doing and will continue to teach the tribal youth their culture, songs, dances, and language and love them.

Amanda Pulawa, Secretary

Amanda Pulawa was born in Riverside, California. She and her family moved to Redwood Valley, California in 1989. Amanda is a Tribal Member of Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indian. She grew up Pomo dancing and playing basketball. Amanda has been working for her tribe since her senior year in high school, and is now currently working as a Gaming Commissioner. When Amanda is not working, she spends time with her family, she coaches her kids’ sports teams, volunteers as Chairperson on her tribes Tribal Election Board, is a Community Leader for Coyote Valley 4-H Club, and last but not least, is the Chairperson of the Parent Committee for the Tribal Education Department. Amanda will continue to work making a difference for herself, her Family, and her Community. You can reach her at apulawa@gmail.com.