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San Mateo Campaigners Debate Slot Issue

SAN MATEO, California – As reported by the San Mateo County Times: "Crime would take over San Mateo. Traffic would clog neighborhood roads and gambling addicts would drain resources here if slot machines arrive in San Mateo.

"On the other hand, the city would receive millions of dollars that would be generated by 3,000 slot machines at Bay Meadows Race Track -- money that could help pay for police and fire services crippled by the budget cuts.

"Those two extremes frame the local debate over whether voters should pass the Gaming Revenue Act initiative on the November ballot. If passed, the measure would enable the installation of up to 30,000 slot machines at race tracks and card rooms across the state under certain conditions.

"On Thursday, campaigners from both camps debated the controversial measure before a roomful of residents, business people and elected officials at a Chamber of Commerce event.

"The duel came just a day after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he was close to making a deal with five Indian tribes that could muddy the debate even further.

"…The initiative calls for all 53 Indian tribes in the state to cough up 25 percent -- or roughly $1 billion total -- of their net gaming revenues or lose their monopoly on casino-style gambling. And if the tribes don't agree to do so within 90 days after the initiative passes, card rooms and racetracks across the state would be authorized to install slot machines.

"That could mean 3,000 slot machines at San Mateo's Bay Meadows Race Track, something to which both city and some county officials are vehemently opposed…"

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