California passes out slot licenses

SACREMENTO, California -- As reported by The Desert Sun: "California held a drawing Monday to award licenses for 3,548 slot machines to 11 Indian tribes with 1999 gaming compacts.

"The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians was the only Coachella Valley tribe to travel to Sacramento to be part of the state drawing.

"The tribe returned with licensing authority to operate 44 additional machines at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, said Pamela Mares, a spokeswoman for the California Gambling Control Commission.

"The commission approved gaming device licenses for 10 other tribes Monday as well, with the largest amount going to Big Sandy Band Rancheria of Mono Indians, a tribe in Northern California seeking authority to operate 1,650 machines.

"The drawing for the tribes with 1999 compacts comes as part of many years of legal skirmishes in court...