Indian casinos could go off-reservation with Prop 48

BARSTOW, Calif. (KABC) -- Prop 48 is among eight statewide propositions on the Nov. 4 California ballot. If passed, the measure would allow the first ever casino off-reservation land in the state.

Supporters hope it will pave the way for other tribes to follow suit. Opponents worry about that exact possibility.

In Barstow, a patch of empty desert sits across from outlet stores. It's land that the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians want to build on.

"We will see this land converted into an Indian casino faster than anything you've ever seen," said former Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale, who supports the project.

Dale added that a casino could mean hundreds of jobs for Barstow.

"This will stimulate the city. It will give the tribe an opportunity to bring in revenue and it's just a win-win for all of us," Dale said.

The tribe is on its way to getting approval for the casino, but supporters fear that the failure of Prop 48 could be a potential roadblock to this project.

That's because the land does not belong to the reservation. The reservation is actually in San Diego County.

If Prop 48 is approved, a tribe in Northern California would be allowed to open a casino off their reservation, ushering in possible support for other tribes like the Cupeno Indians who want to build outside of their lands.

"This will basically, as the campaign has said, open the floodgates to off-reservation casinos," said Cheryl Schmidt with the No on Prop 48 campaign.

Schmidt said the deal voters made back in 2000 was to allow tribes to run casinos as long as it was on their land.

"If we're going to start moving gaming off Indian lands, then why should we just allow tribes to have a monopoly? Why not open it up to everybody in the state and charge taxes and revenue for the state of California," Schmidt said.

Voters can send a strong message either way on Election Day next week.