Audit Of Gaming Tribes Called For

Two state senators are calling for an audit of a fund that collects money from Indian gambling for distribution to tribes without casinos. Some poor, non-gambling tribes have complained about late payments and other problems with the fund.

Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte and Republican Senator Jim Battin have asked the legislative analyst€™s office to conduct the audit. Tribes with casinos agreed to give money to the 75 federally recognized tribes in the state that aren´t allowed to operate casinos, or have fewer than 350 slot machines. But some tribes have complained that payments have arrived months late and in unpredictable amounts. Governor Davis and the tribes are set to renegotiate key portions of the 20-year gambling compacts next month.