Editorial: Vote no on Indian gaming propositions

Wednesday, October 20, 2004  

"Both Propositions 68 and 70 purport to force the state's casino-operating Indian tribes to pay their fair share of revenue to the state. But both measures are shams, funded by special interests whose real intention is to expand gambling in California and reap more profits.

Proposition 68 would require Indian gaming tribes to pay 25 percent of their estimated $5 billion to $8 billion annual gambling revenues to the state. That sounds like a great thing, as it would mean as much as $2 billion each year to pay for such things as police, parks and schools. But skimming that much off the top is deliberately intended to be a deal breaker. The non-Indian gambling interests behind this measure knew full well every tribe won't agree to such a tax on its revenue. And if they don't, then the card clubs and racetracks would get the uncontested right to set up gambling operations off the reservations.

Proposition 70 is a competing proposal financed and advanced by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the state's wealthiest gambling tribe with casinos in Palm Springs. Again, on the surface, this sounds like a good deal for Californians. It is not. "

Get the Story:
Editorial: Bad gambles (The Los Angeles Daily News 10/20)