The non-Indian backers of a ballot initiative aimed at making tribes pay their "fair share" or lose their slot machines are considering dropping the campaign, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Proposition 68 is floundering in the polls despite a hard-hitting advertising campaign that criticizes tribes. One lawyers not involved in the debate said the public is not swayed by the negative message because they support Indian gaming.

Backers of the initiative have spent $27.7 million to support it. But the proposition faces opposition from tribes, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and a host of elected officials who say it would bring gaming into urban areas.

Spending on the rival Proposition 60, sponsored by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, has topped $22 million. The majority of tribes in the state have endorsed the initiative, which would allow tribes to operate more slot machines in exchange for sharing 8.84 percent of net revenues.

Get the Story:
Fight Over Slots Might Come to End (The Los Angeles Times 10/6)
pwlat
Tribes place their bets on Prop. 70 (The Sacramento Bee 10/6)
Gambling opposition nears $90 million mark (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 10/6)
Card rooms, tracks gamble on Prop. 68 (The Sacramento Bee 10/5)