Proposition 5 is aimed at a compact Wilson signed into law last month that requires all gaming tribes in the state to relinquish their highly profitable slot machines, which are illegal under California's constitution. After giving them up, the tribes would be required to purchase other as-yet undeveloped machines based on the state lottery. The fact that the tribes in only a few months were able to qualify the initiative with more than 1 million signatures and mount such a large-scale campaign illustrates not only their financial strength but their growing political muscle. Countering the tribes' ad spots, a coalition of foes ranging from church groups to Nevada casino operators is running ads asserting that if the ballot measure passes, Native Americans would be handed a blank check to open casinos wherever they want. One ad shows a huge casino, with gaudy flashing lights and bells sounding, sprouting in a quiet suburb right before a befuddled young couple out for a walk.
Opponents assert that the initiative is an attempt by the tribes to circumvent the law.
They argue that the measure would authorize the tribes to establish the rules by which they would operate and to essentially regulate themselves with little state intervention. Nevada officials are trying to clamp down on Indian casinos on another front. One of the state's senators, Democrat Richard Bryan, has attached to the Interior Department appropriations bill a rider that would prevent Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt from approving compacts with tribes that were unable to reach agreements on their casino operations with governors. Babbitt has attempted to enforce a department regulation allowing the federal government to override the governors. The Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 set the terms under which Indian casinos should operate.