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Proposed California Gambling Initiative Clears First Hurdle

CALIFORNIA – As reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal: "A proposed California ballot initiative that could further heighten competition for Nevada's gaming dollars was given an initial green light in Sacramento on Monday.

"State Attorney General Bill Lockyer approved the legal title and summary of a measure that could enable certain racetracks, card clubs and other non-Indian venues to have slots machines, breaking the tribes' monopoly on the machines.

" …'It's a way of getting the Indian casinos to the table on revenue sharing,' said Phil Satre, chairman of the board of Harrah's Inc. and a Reno resident.

"…He said California's enormous budget deficit is working against the tribes. The loss of services incurred when the state rolled back its automobile registration fees is just one example, Satre said.

"…The racetracks and card clubs introduced the measure, named the Gaming Revenue Act of 2004. It stipulates that each of the 61 tribes with casinos agrees pay 25 percent of slot-machine profits to the state.

"If just one of those tribes disagrees, that would trigger approval for slot machines at tracks and card clubs. The tracks and card rooms would pay out a third of their slot profits to a trust fund to supplement law enforcement, firefighters and programs serving abused children.

"However, the California Police Chiefs Association also announced Monday its opposition to allowing slots at racetracks and non-Indian card clubs…"

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