Regulation of tribal casinos is one of the issues at stake as California lawmakers debate six new gaming compacts.

The agreements already passed the state Senate. But Assembly leaders have concerns over regulation and labor unions.

To address the regulation issue, the state Gambling Control Commission is proposing to ratify minimum internal control standards. The state MICS would cover nearly every aspect of tribal gaming.

The proposal was presented to the Tribal-State Regulatory Association, made up of 66 California tribes, during a private meeting yesterday. The rules are a direct response to a recent federal appeals court decision that struck down the National Indian Gaming Commission's version of the MICS.

NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen is set to testify about the federal role in gaming before the Assembly on May 14.

On the labor issue, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians held a news conference as part of its campaign to support the compacts. The tribe released a new television ad and released documents that showed one union was allowed to organize at the casino.

Also yesterday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) pressed the Assembly to act on the compacts. He said the state is losing out on revenues from the casinos.

Get the Story:
Commission explains casino standards (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 5/3)
Governor wants slots deal approval (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 5/3)
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Morongo Band: We're not hostile to unions (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 5/3)