Analyst says Indian gambling pact might spark slot machines boom

The "best estimate" is that the number of slots allowed would rise from 21,000 to 113,000 if voters on March 7 approve a September compact between Davis and Indian tribes, Legislative Analyst Elizabeth estimated Tuesday.

Only Nevada with 200,000 would have more slots.

The Davis administration contested the estimate, saying the agreement could double the number of slot machines to about 43,000.

"I don't know how she's doing her math. It doesn't sound like the numbers that were discussed," Davis spokesman Michael Bustamante said.

Voters are being asked to approve a constitutional amendment known as Proposition 1-A before tribes can expand their casinos. The measure would grant tribes monopoly rights to operate slot machines and other Nevada-style games that are restricted in California.

Hill conducted her analysis after a gambling opponent, Assemblyman Bruce Thompson, R-Fallbrook, questioned the deal.

Meanwhile, former California Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy, who has studied the nationwide impact of gambling for the U.S. Senate, said the expansion could double the number of "problem and pathological gamblers" in California to 1.4 million.

Revenue to the tribes could rise to as much as $3 billion annually, he added.

"These proposals - the constitutional amendment and the compact - move California toward adopting Nevada's gambling culture," McCarthy said.

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