Morongo tribe to tweak video lottery terminals

Chris T. Nguyen

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005 | 9:22 a.m.

LOS ANGELES -- The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has agreed to reconfigure about 2,000 video lottery terminals the state claimed were illegal, state and tribal officials said Monday.

The tribe will not remove the machines -- which look and play like slot machines -- from its new casino in Riverside County but modify the computer software and equipment that run them, Morongo attorney George Forman said.

The main difference between the two types of machines lies within their software. With slot machines, gamblers play against the house, which determines the odds. Players of video lottery machines play against each other.

By modifying the software, the machines can be played like slot machines, which officials say will resolve a claim the state brought in November that the tribe was operating terminals not covered under its agreement with state officials.

"It's an agreement without hostile litigation," said Vince Sollitto, a spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. "It is a victory for both sides. The state is certainly pleased it has been able to resolve this issue in a government to government manner."

The agreement was signed by Morongo Chairman Maurice Lyons and state Legal Affairs Secretary Peter Siggins during the final days of December.

It gives the tribe until Jan. 8 to either remove the terminals from its casino floor or modify the equipment that runs them. It also restricts the state from suing the tribe, but allows the tribe to seek a ruling by a judge on whether the terminals are allowed under its compact with the state.

Forman said Morongo has not decided whether it will go to court over the issue.

"The tribe has complied with all aspects of its compact. However, because the tribe's first priority is to protect its compact, its members and the thousands of employees and businesses who rely upon its gaming operation, it was important to establish an amicable agreement with the state that would foster ongoing mutual cooperation," he said.

Sollitto said no agreement has been reached between the state and another tribe, the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, on the same issue. He said the Pechanga, whose officials have refused to remove their video lottery terminals, could be sued by the state if they don't reach an agreement by Jan. 8.

Pechanga added 100,000 square feet to the casino it opened in 2002. The remodeled casino resort, which opened in November, includes hundreds of slot machines and card tables.

In December Morongo opened its $250 million, 27-story resort near Cabazon.