California tribes could share $10.2B under compacts

Friday, February 1, 2008

An economist hired by four California tribes says they could share up to $10.2 billion under their Class III gaming compacts.

Economist Alan Meister, who puts together the annual Indian Gaming Report, was given access to proprietary information. By 2030, he says 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 have a lot of room to grow.

"They have people standing in line to play," Meister told the Los Angeles Times. "That shows that for the supply, there's excess demand."

Critics of the compacts say the tribes will end up sharing far less. It will take time for the tribes to install additional slot machines and expand their casinos.

"They slapped a big number on the screen and in smaller print, or not at all, mention that that is over a period of two decades," a spokesperson for a coalition that opposes the compacts told the paper.

voters will decide on Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97 on February 7.

Get the Story:
California may not get $9 billion from tribal gambling deals (The Los Angeles Times 2/1)
pwday
Worries Over Indian Casino Proposition (The Daily Californian 2/1)
Governor hits campaign trail on Props 94-97 (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 1/31)
Fact Check: Indian Gaming Measures, Round 2 (KNBC 1/30)