California
Schwarzenegger chooses official against gaming


The new head of the California agency that regulates Indian gaming is personally opposed to gaming, which he says attracts crime.

Burks "Dean" Shelton, a former police officer, was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) to fill a post he believes has no teeth to enforce tribal-state compacts. He said he would work cooperatively with tribes but told the Associated Press, "It's a new era."

State officials complain that the Gambling Control Commission lacks funding and manpower to police all tribal casinos. Shelton said the commission has the power to rescind state approval of slot machines if a tribe violates the compact.

Get the Story:
Tribes Can Lose Slots, Official Says (The Los Angeles Times 3/12)
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New gambling chair dislikes gambling, links it to crime (AP 3/11)
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