Calif. gaming tribes turn up heat on rival petition

Thursday, April 15, 2004  

California tribes have launched a campaign against an initiative they say would benefit pornographer Larry Flynt.

The tribes, who are not named in two press accounts, sent a mailer to 1 million voters statewide. The mailer says the "Larry Flynt Gambling Proposition" will benefit Flynt, publisher of the Hustler magazine, by authorizing 1,000 slot machines for his card club.

Flynt donated $276,000 to the proposition, called The Gaming Revenue Act of 2004. If passed, it would require tribes to share 25 percent of slot machine revenues with the state. But if the tribes do not agree, or if the Bureau of Indian Affairs rejects the deal, non-Indian card clubs and racetracks would be given slot machine rights.

Consultants for the unnamed tribes announced the campaign in a conference call yesterday. It is not clear from press accounts whether any tribal representatives participated in the call.

Get the Story:
Baca Target of Tribes' Campaign (The Los Angeles Times 4/15)
pwlat
Flynt targeted in battle over slot machines (Copley News Service 4/15)