Spending on two rival gaming initiatives in California is likely to top $100 million, a tribal consultant told The San Francisco Chronicle.

A group of tribes has already raised $13 million to defeat an initiative that would end the tribal monopoly on slot machines. The card clubs and racetracks behind that initiative have raised $8.4 million.

Some of the tribes battling the card clubs are also negotiating with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) for new compacts that would increase the state's share of casino revenues. If an agreement is reached, Schwarzenegger will probably oppose the card club initiative.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has its own initiative to impose an 8.84 tax rate on tribes in exchange for expanded gaming under 99-year compacts. Schwarzenegger has indicated that he opposes the proposal.

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Casinos bet big on initiatives (The San Francisco Chronicle 4/29)