California senator introduces slots bill

CALIFORNIA -- As reported by the San Diego Business Journal: "On paper, the state of California and 61 American Indian tribes agreed in 1999 that each tribe may operate up to 2,000 Nevada-style slot machines.

"In practice, not all can have that many.

"The state implemented its historic 1999 gambling deals with a licensing system that makes licenses relatively scarce — scarce enough that some tribes can't reach their 2,000-machine ceilings.

"Now a state legislator is working to expand the number of licenses.

"State Sen. Jim Battin, R-Palm Desert, introduced a bill Feb. 13 that would help casinos with fewer than 2,000 slot machines get licenses for the full 2,000.

"The group includes the Valley View Casino near Valley Center, run by the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians..."