Two California tribes launched a media campaign on Wednesday in hopes of getting their off-reservation casinos approved.

The Big Lagoon Rancheria and the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians want to open side-by-side casinos in Barstow. They signed compacts with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) two years ago this month.

Democrats and tribes with existing casinos have prevented legislative approval of the compacts. So the tribes are airing televisions ads [YouTube] to put pressure on lawmakers before the session ends in a week.

The tribes say they will end their partnership if their compacts fail. The Big Lagoon Rancheria plans to open a casino on its environmentally sensitive reservation in northern California.

Get the Story:
Tribes launch TV campaign for Barstow casinos (The San Bernardino Sun 9/6)
Casino backers try last minute effort to pass compacts (The Desert Dispatch 9/5)
Capital Notes: Final Push For Barstow Casino Project (KQED 9/5)