Gamblers can't tell difference in new lottery-style machines

The video screen appeared to spin like a slot machine and announced that Richardson had just won 250 credits. At 25 cents a credit, that was $62.50.

The Modesto woman grinned and decided the new machines were just fine. "I like them," she said. "I'm going to cash in and go home."

But Richardson kept playing at the Jackson Rancheria Indian Bingo and Casino, which opened its doors to gamblers Thursday so opponents of Proposition 5 could show off the machines.

The bitterly contested ballot measure, which is supported by 87 of California's 107 tribes, would allow for the continued use of slot machines already in operation at about 40 Indian casinos.

Gov. Pete Wilson and other state and federal officials contend the slot machines are illegal. Indians are allowed to offer only those forms of gambling permitted under state law.

The new machines were developed to work like the California Lottery game and to replace the slots. Eleven tribes, including the Jackson Rancheria, have signed compacts with Wilson that would require them to use the new machines.

Supporters of Proposition 5 believe the new lottery-style machines will not be as popular with gamblers.

"The rest of the tribes aren't willing to risk their futures on that machine when what they have works so well and is not substantially different," said spokesman Dan Pellissier.

While there are fine legal distinctions between the two kinds of machines, the gamblers couldn't detect them at Jackson Rancheria. The casino 40 miles southeast of Sacramento will have four machines for 30 days.

"It's OK. It's a good machine," said Richard Oertle of Mokelumne Hill. "It's just a regular slot machine."

Paul Richards of Stockton won 50 credits - $12.50. "They basically pay off like all the machines anyway," he said.

The machines will show up in the next few weeks at Table Mountain Rancheria in Friant in Fresno County, Rumsey Rancheria in Yolo County and Barona Casino in Lakeside in San Diego County.

The Jackson tribe opposes Proposition 5, along with church groups, organized labor and the Nevada casino industry, which has raised tens of millions of dollars to fight the measure.

Most of the gamblers at the casino supported the measure.

"It's a free country and the Indians ought to have their way of making a living," Oertle said.

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