Fight brews over gaming compacts in California

Friday, November 30, 2007

Another battle is brewing at the polls over the Indian gaming industry in California.

Four tribes signed Class III gaming compacts to add more slot machines to their casinos. In exchange, they are sharing a portion of the revenues with the state.

But opponents -- including race tracks, labor unions and a couple of tribes -- gathered enough signatures to put the compacts to a vote. They say the deals are an unfair expansion of the tribal casino industry.

Polls show that 52 percent support the compacts while 35 percent are opposed. The vote takes place February 2008.

Get the Story:
The new Indian wars (The Economist 11/29)