California tribes are paying close attention to litigation that will determine whether charities and non-profits can offer electronic gaming machines. The tribes, who aren't parties to the litigation, say their gaming compacts promised them exclusivity. They say charities and non-profits are operating the machines in violation of state law. "You look at the games, and you see they are slot machines under state law," George Forman, an attorney who represents several tribes, told The Sacramento Bee. "Over time, I think it's more likely than not that somebody is going to get upset.." The United Auburn Indian Community has threatened to withhold its revenue-sharing payments if the machines remain in place. "The letter in essence said that they were reluctant to pay their quarterly payments while something that violates the very tenet of the compact they signed with the state was in operation – illegal slot machines," spokesperson Doug Elmets said. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing the dispute on Tuesday. Get the Story:
Courts set to decide charity bingo machine cases (The Sacramento Bee 3/9)
