Compacts for two off-reservation casinos in Barstow, California, expired on Monday.

The Big Lagoon Rancheria and Los Coyotes Band of Mission Indians signed the compacts with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) two years ago this month. But since lawmakers failed to ratify the deals before September 17, they expired.

The tribes want to build side-by-side casinos off a major interstate. A spokesperson for the casino developer said both tribes are still interested in the site and a spokesperson for the Big Lagoon Rancheria said the tribe hasn't ruled out Barstow.

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Casino agreements expire; tribes unsure of next step (The Desert Dispatch 9/17)