Lawmakers question compact for Bay Area casino

Thursday, August 26, 2004  

Democrat and Republican lawmakers in California are questioning a new compact that would allow a large casino in the Bay Area.

The Lytton Band of Pomo Indians signed the compact with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) last week. The tribe has agreed to share 25 percent of slot machine and card game profits in order to open the state's first urban casino.

The deal requires legislative approval but Democrat leaders say they aren't planning on holding a vote before the end of the session this week. They say they haven't been given enough time to review the agreement even as the tribe scaled back plans for 2,500 slot machines instead of 5,000.

Republicans are concerned about some of the compact's provisions and the impact of an urban casino. At least three other tribes, including the Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians, the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians and the Coast Miwok Tribe, want to open casinos in the Bay Area.

Get the Story:
San Pablo casino vote in doubt (The San Francisco Chronicle 8/26)
More Bay Area casinos looming on the horizon (The Oakland Tribune 8/26)
Governor's 'payback' backfiring? (The Tri-Valley Herald 8/26)