The Rincon Band of Mission Indians has won an important court ruling that could affect future compact negotiations in California.

The tribe wanted to add up to 900 slot machines to its existing 1,600 machines at the Harrah's Rincon Casino and Resort. But the tribe challenged the state's request to pay fees for the slot machines to the general fund.

A federal magistrate on Wednesday ruled that such tactics violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which prohibits states from taxing tribal casino revenues. Judge William McCurine also said the state wasn't offering enough to the tribe to warrant the fees.

"The state has run into a tribe that wants to stand up for its rights," gaming consultant I.Nelson Rose told The North County Times. "Rincon is really one of the first ones to stand up and say, 'Wait a minute.'"

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Ruling hands win to Rincon (The North County Times 5/2)