Indian Gaming > Lawsuits possible in Schwarzenegger spat

November 11, 2004

Lawsuits possible in Schwarzenegger spat

Two California tribes accused by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) of operating illegal gaming machines hope to resolve the dispute but the battle could end up in court.

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians received letters from the governor's office over their use of video lottery terminals. Leaders of both tribes say they are formulating their response but Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro said a lawsuit was possible if the state tried to force the tribe to remove the machines.

Schwarzenegger contends the terminals are just like slot machines. So the use of them violates tribal-state compacts that limit each tribe to 2,000 machines, he says.

Copies of the letters from Schwarzenegger's office can be read at http://www.indianz.com/docs/schwarzenegger110404.pdf.

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Governor hits tribes on slot-like devices (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 11/11)
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