California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is expected to sign five new gaming compacts with three tribes in northern California and two in southern California.

According to news reports, the deals follow ones Schwarzenegger signed in June. But since the tribes involved do not currently have casinos, they made more concessions to the state, including consent to state jurisdiction for workers' compensation, workplace safety and judicial wage-garnishment orders.

According to news reports, the tribes that will sign compacts are the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians, the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians and the Fort Mojave Tribe.

The new compacts worry the tribes backing Proposition 70, sponsored by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The initiative would allow tribes to offer more slot machines in exchange for sharing 8.84 percent of net revenues with the state. The tribes are arguing that Proposition 70 is a better deal than the one Schwarzenegger is offering.

Get the Story:
Governor, five tribes set to sign compacts (The Sacramento Bee 8/18)
Tribes worry compact will hurt chance for Prop. 70 (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 8/18)