Judge indicates he might invalidate Pauma casino compact

Tuesday, April 6, 2010  

A federal judge indicated he might invalidate the Class III gaming compact that the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians signed with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R).

The tribe signed the compact in 2004. It authorized new slot machines in exchange for a higher rate of revenue sharing.

The tribe has been unable to secure financing for a new casino but the revenue sharing provisions already kicked in. In the meantime, tribes in three other cases have won rulings that said they should be allowed to offer more slot machines under compacts that were signed in 1999.

For that reason, Judge Larry Burns said the Pauma Band doesn't have to share more revenues for now. He indicated he might overturn the 2004 compact because the tribe signed it under false pretenses.

Get the Story:
Reprieve for Pauma tribe on state compact (The San Diego Union-Tribune 4/6)

Earlier Story:
Another California tribe wins case over slot machine cap (3/31)