Tribes lose lawsuits over compact referendum

Thursday, November 15, 2007  

Two California tribes plan to appeal after losing lawsuits that challenged a state referendum on their Class III gaming compacts.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians sued to block the secretary of state from putting the referendum on the February 2008 ballot. They said compact opponents didn't gather enough signatures in time and missed a deadline.

In separate decisions, two judges ruled against the tribes and said the compact opponents complied with the law.

A third lawsuit, by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, also challenges the referendum.

The tribes signed compacts to add more slot machines to their casinos and share revenues with the state. Unions, racetrack owners and two tribes say the deals are unfair.

Get the Story:
Courts: Referenda challenging casino agreements may continue (The Californian 11/15)
Judges rule against tribes (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 11/14)
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Thoroughbred Owners support tribal gaming deals (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 11/14)
Time-In: Judge finds no timing issue with referendum proposal for Morongo gaming deal (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 11/14)
Judges rules against gaming tribes, twice (The San Diego Union-Tribune 11/14)