Column: Big money at stake in California fight

Monday, February 4, 2008  

"The most confusing measures on Tuesday's state ballot are the four Indian gambling propositions. But, cutting through all the fabrication and jargon, there's one simple way to look at this.

The central question is: Should the state grab, by whatever legal means, any money it can find to help balance its books? Or has the expansion of Vegas-style Indian gambling in California gone far enough?

Certainly, with these particular tribes, the issue no longer is about lifting Indians from abject poverty. Their one-armed bandits already have made them very rich.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and four Southern California tribes struck deals to expand the Indians' gambling operations in return for a share of the winnings. The tribes currently operate 8,000 slot machines and could add 17,000. They'd pay the state 15% to 25% of the profits on the new slots. The Legislature ratified the pacts.

The governor and the tribes estimate there'd be a $9-billion payout to the state over the next 22 years. Opponents dispute the amount, contending it more likely would be half that. The tribes would be obligated to pay roughly $3 billion minimum, or $131 million a year."

Get the Story:
George Skelton: Stakes are high on 4 tribal casino pacts (The Los Angeles Times 2/4)
pwday