Jim & Greg ----- the one tribe that is against Prop 5 has already signed a compact with the state to keep their gaming (don't recall now, but there may have been some other smaller tribes that have signed on, too). The state has said that ANY other tribe which wants to keep/have gaming must sign onto the same compact. The catch is that the compact the state wants to enforce prohibits video machines (which produce a significant portion of the tribal gaming revenue -- proponents say 75-80%).

Approximately 85 tribes (representing 96% of the reservation Indians in California) have joined together in support of Prop 5 and are waging a very aggressive campaign. Just today in the mail I received a very well-done campaign brochure -- the cover is a 5"x7" face shot of an Indian grandmother; inside photos show an Indian child being treated by a doctor, a fire truck (with the message that Prop 5 is endorsed by the California State Firefighters Association), a pastoral desert scene, an upper body photo of the campaign spokesman in front of a scenic background and a scene from an Indian elementary school. Not a single gambling related photo of any kind. Simple statements of arguments in favor of the proposition. VERY astute campaign literature.

Incidentally, the brochure uses the word "Indian(s)" 34 times (the cover says "California Indian Gaming") ... "Tribe(s)" or "Tribal" appears 16 times. NOT ONCE is the politically correct term "Native American" used! Interesting, I thought.

Anyway, I live in Marin County, a very liberal/Democratic enclave which will almost certainly vote heavily in favor of Prop 5. Therefore, my view may be somewhat skewed, but I think the Proposition will be approved. As I understand it, house banked games (such as blackjack, roulette, craps, etc.) would still not be permitted, as they are not otherwise legal in California (though variations which are pari-mutuel in nature or in which the players "bank" the game would be legal).

Will passage of Prop 5 "kill" Nevada gaming? Hardly, though I suspect that full-scale casino gaming in California, if it was ever approved, would really hurt (would you rather go to Reno or San Francisco to gamble? Laughlin or Monterey? Elko or the Big Sur? -- sorry, just fantasizing!). Californians could then stay in-state to gamble; don't know any figures on this (Gene or Jim P.??), but I'd be betting that a significant portion of the income of Nevada casinos comes from Californians.

One thing for sure, if Prop 5 passes, there WILL be MORE California Indian gaming CHIPS!! ----- jim o\-S