California gaming compacts still being disputed

Tuesday, March 4, 2008  

California voters approved four gaming compacts a month ago but there's still some disagreement about some key provisions.

The compacts require the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation to share more revenues with the state. But there's an issue about where that money will go and how the change will affect smaller tribes.

Under the new compacts, the four tribes will divert about $70 million from a special fund to the state's general fund. The special fund has been used to help non-gaming tribes and tribes with small casinos.

But with the money going to the general fund, the small tribes will have to compete for their share, according to tribes that oppose the new compacts. They say they will end up losing the money in the end.

Get the Story:
New compacts clouding tribal payout picture (Copley News Service 3/3)