Her tribe's 900-employee Casino Morongo generates most of its income from 1,600 video slot machines, while the Cabazons' Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio depends on its 800 video slot machines. Both tribes say the loss of the slot machines would have devastating effects, although they would continue to offer other forms of gambling, including Bingo and off-track wagering. Waltona Manion, spokeswoman for the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, said most of the estimated 20,000 people who work in the state's tribal casinos would likely lose their jobs. Statewide, almost 40 tribes operate casinos, and they have more than 15,000 slot machines. About half of the machines are operated by nine tribes in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Federal officials say they have no intention of backing down.
Another government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said federal prosecutors have prepared formal complaints. It may not be on the 14th, but it will be very soon thereafter. Federal agents could raid Indian casinos and seize their electronic slot machines. But all parties to the conflict agree that such raids are unlikely. They say federal prosecutors learned from a disastrous experience in Arizona, where U.S. agents raided five tribal casinos in 1992, seizing 750 slot machines.