Tribes in southern California are taking steps to minimize rising electricity bills at their casinos.

The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians saves power by using slot machines with paper tickets. The tribe also takes its casino off-line by switching to a generator, a practice employed by other tribes at their casinos.

The eight casinos in San Diego County operate a total of 13,410 slots. If all were being played at maximum capacity, they would consume about 3.2 megawatts of electricity.

Overall, San Diego Gas & Electric says the casinos and their hotels, restaurants and other properties consume 10 megawatts to 12 megawatts. But the region's demand peaks at 4,500 megawatts.

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Power plays (The San Diego Union Tribune 8/2)