The Sycuan Indian tribe is dropping plans to expand the number off slot machines at its suburban San Diego casino and build a second casino off its reservation.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Thursday that Sycuan Chairman Daniel Tucker wrote to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that the decision was driven by a faltering economy.
The tribe won rights in 2006 to have up to 5,000 slot machines at its casino in Dehesa Valley, up from 2,000 slots. The rights were bestowed in one of five tribal compacts that Schwarzenegger renegotiated as he sought new revenues to balance the state budget.
The agreement required Sycuan to pay the state a larger share of winnings from its existing slots as well as any additional machines.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
