Two California tribes have joined racetracks in a campaign to overturn four new gaming compacts.

The Pala Band of Mission Indians and the United Auburn Indian Community were among the first tribes to sign compacts with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R). The deals were opposed by the racetrack industry as an unfair expansion in a court case that is still pending.

But the two tribes are now siding with the tracks in hopes of stopping four other tribes from expanding their casinos in southern California. The tribes and the tracks are gathering signatures to force a referendum and repeal compacts for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians.

The tribes and the tracks have raised about $5 million for the effort.

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Gaming-compact foes form uneasy alliance (Capitol Weekly 9/27)