Pala Band seeks to renegotiate gaming compact with governor

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Pala Band of Mission Indians will ask the state of California to renegotiate its Class III gaming compact, an attorney said.

The tribe was the first to sign a new deal when former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) took office. The 2004 compact imposed revenue sharing in exchange for more slot machines.

Other tribes refused to similar conditions. The Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians went to court and won a decision that said Schwarzenegger was negotiating in bad faith.

Now the Pala Band apparently thinks it should benefit from the litigation. Attorney Howard Dickstein said the tribe is paying $18 million a year under the new deal.

“Pala will request it on this point,” Dickstein told The San Diego Union-Tribune of the tribe's plan to renegotiate.

Get the Story:
Supreme Court turns down state appeal on tribal casino deal (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 6/28)
Supreme Court declines to hear Rincon gambling case (The North County Times 6/28)
Supreme Court gives local gaming tribe big win (The San Diego Union-Tribune 6/28)
High court ruling against California boosts Indian tribes' power (The Sacramento Bee 6/28)

9th Circuit Decision:
Rincon Band v. Schwarzenegger (April 20, 2010)