More California tribes said to join compact talks

Tuesday, May 25, 2004  

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has expanded compact negotiation talks to include more and more tribes, Copley News Service reports.

Schwarzenegger's team has been working with a small group of tribes and is reportedly near an agreement to expand operations in exchange for a greater share of casino revenues. But he has also started a new round of talks with "many" tribes, according to the report.

Negotiators at one point reportedly agreed to allow unlimited slot machines for tribes. In exchange, tribes would pay $25,000 a year for each machine over 4,500. Currently, tribes pay no fees for up to 2,000 machines.

An agreement with the small group of tribes was expected to be announced by the end of this month. Earlier reports indicated the tribes would finance a $1 billion initiative for the state.

Get the Story:
Some tribes oppose limitless slot machines (Copley News Service 5/25)