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California State Gambling Panel Gets $4.2 Million Budget1 August 2001CALIFORNIA –– As reported by the (San Diego County) North County Times: ``The newly formed state Gambling Control Commission will receive $4.2 million this fiscal year, nearly the entire $4.7 million it had requested, but that's a "small" budget considering the job it has ahead, said John Hensley, the commission's chairman. ``The commission's budget was included in the $103 billion state budget signed July 27 by Gov. Gray Davis. ``The commission, which is in charge of regulating gambling in the state, will grow from a staff of three to a staff of 38 people to oversee the state's 113 card rooms and 44 American Indian casinos. ``It also will have to develop uniform regulations for the Indian gambling industry, issue licenses for card room employees, and administer the revenue-sharing trust fund for non-gambling tribes, Hensley said. ``By comparison, he said, the state's Horse Racing Board, which regulates horse racing, has a budget of $8.4 million. ``…Most North County tribes have said they support the commission and its job, though it has been criticized by some. ``…The Pechanga and San Manuel bands say the commission has overstepped its authority by asserting itself as the primary regulator of Indian gambling. ``The new budget will pay for staff, including gambling analysts, office personnel, office space and equipment, said Gary Qualset, the commission's acting chief fiscal officer. ``…In California, there are 107 federally recognized tribes; 62 of them have a gambling agreement with the state…" |