California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is supportive of a tribal effort to open an off-reservation casino in Barstow, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The Los Coyotes Band of Mission Indians is working on the deal with the Big Lagoon Rancheria. The casino would be backed by BarWest Gaming, a Michigan firm. Schwarzenegger suggested the tribal partnership, a BarWest spokesperson said. A Schwarzenegger spokesperson confirmed that the governor wants to help the Big Lagoon Rancheria with gaming because the tribe's reservation is considered environmentally unsuitable for a casino. The state has so far refused to negotiate a compact for a casino there. Get the Story: