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Tribe challenges casino negotiations13 August 2007SAN DIEGO, California -- As reported by the San Diego Metro News: "The Rincon Indian band is challenging a long-standing practice in which states ask for cash when negotiating with Indian tribes trying to open or expand casinos. "In a lawsuit in San Diego federal court, the tribe is accusing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of negotiating in bad faith for an amended compact. "Rincon has 1,600 slot machines at its Harrah's casino north of Valley Center, which is operating under a 1999 compact. It wants to boost that number to 2,500 but can't without striking a new deal with the governor, who is demanding millions of dollars for the state's general fund. "...The tribe said the contribution the governor wants is effectively a tax, and that's outlawed by the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. "State officials said the payments are legal because the tribe gets something in return – more slot machines and the exclusive right to offer casino gambling in the state. "...The tribe counters that it is entitled to more slot machines. It says the exclusive right to gambling is already in the state constitution, so that's not something it should bargain for..." |