Claim Could Net Tribe $550M Jackpot

A North County tribe of Indians is looking for a big payout in a claim filed against Arnold and Co. on Monday, according to a published report.

The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians filed a $550 million claim against the state on Monday, saying the governor has refused to give the tribe the slot machines it says it was promised in a 1999 gambling agreement, the North County Times reported.

The tribe owns Valley View Casino near Valley Center. The casino has 1,574 Las Vegas-style slot machines, which is 426 short of the 2,000 maximum allowed under the tribe's 1999 gambling agreement, or compact.

However, there have been different interpretations on how many slot machines the 1999 gambling agreements allowed statewide.

"We are just asking for what was established to be ours according to the language of the 1999 compact," San Pasqual Chairman Allen Lawson said in a written statement.

A spokeswoman for the governor said the total number of licenses available statewide is still under litigation.
 

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