The Pechanga Band of Mission Indians and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, two tribes that are the target of proposed ballot initiatives to limit casino gambling, filed lawsuits Wednesday to block the referenda. The lawsuits allege that the backers of the initiatives did not have signatures supporting the measures certified on time by the state. Pechanga, Morongo and two other tribes signed new agreements with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger allowing them to increase the number of slot machines in their casinos.

The referendum battle over a major expansion of Indian casino gambling in California already resembles the stretch run of a bruising political campaign -- despite the fact nothing has even qualified for the ballot. But with signature gatherers circulating petitions for Feb. 5 referendums seeking to stop four of the Golden State's richest tribes from adding up to 17,000 new slot machines, big campaign dollars are flowing and the political vitriol is in full bloom.

Mashantucket Pequot Indian Reservation, Connecticut: With hundreds of millions of dollars in annual profit flowing in from their gambling business, the Mashantucket Pequots first floated the idea of building a large amusement park. But those plans were shot down by neighbors already unhappy with the huge Foxwoods casino in their midst. The tribe then bought into a ferry-building business in hopes of diversifying its holdings, but that only provided a costly lesson, said Michael Thomas, the tribe's chairman.

Tallahassee, Florida (AP) - Republican Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Indians are close to a deal allowing the tribe's casinos to offer Las Vegas-style slot machines -- possibly even card games -- with the potential to generate more than USD100 million a year for the state. Crist, who took office in January, has made progress in negotiations with the tribe, unlike his predecessor, Gov. Jeb Bush. Bush adamantly opposed gambling and was at an impasse in talks when he left office.

Tallahassee -- Gov. Charlie Crist's goal to seal a gambling deal soon with the Seminole Tribe of Florida has hit a major snag: the Legislature. House Speaker Marco Rubio laid down the gauntlet in a letter to Crist Monday, demanding that lawmakers be allowed to approve or reject the proposed agreement between the governor and the tribe and warning that if the compact allows games now outlawed in Florida, GOP leaders "won't support it."

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has offered the state USD 50 million up front and at least USD 100 million a year in exchange for the right to have Las Vegas-style slot machines, blackjack and baccarat, the tribes' attorneys said Friday. Under the proposal, the state would receive a percentage of the seven tribal casinos' revenue with the Seminoles guaranteeing a minimum annual payment of USD 100 million.

Hollywood, Florida -- PRNewswire -- As the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe enter the final days of their closely watched compact negotiations, the 3rd annual Florida Gaming Summit is preparing to spotlight Indian gaming with special presentations on October 8-9 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Hotel & Casino. James F. Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming, will kick off the conference with a keynote address at the conference Welcome Reception.

After a three-week vacation, Governor Deval Patrick returns to the Statehouse to the widespread belief that he will announce his support for casino gambling within days. The only question in many people’s minds is what form that approval will take. Speculation has centered on as many as three casinos: one in Boston, another in Southeastern Massachusetts for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, and a third in Western Massachusetts. Any casino proposal would be subject to legislative approval, a high hurdle in the state House of Representatives.

The Kewadin Shores Casino in St. Ignace can finally welcome gamblers, at least until a lawsuit is resolved over whether the casino can exist on land that's ineligible for Indian gaming. U.S. District Court Judge Allan Edgar of the Western District of Michigan has issued an order allowing the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to open the casino until the court renders a decision in the suit. The tribe has sued the National Indian Gaming Commission and the U.S. Department of Interior to allow the opening of the casino, which is located 10 minutes from the Mackinac Bridge.

Sacramento – When two wealthy California Indian tribes took the unusual step of joining the fight to overturn lucrative new gambling deals for a group of rivals, they argued that the compacts encourage big gaming tribes to flood their markets with slot machines. The unbridled competition could swamp smaller casinos in outlying areas, particularly in north San Diego County and the Coachella Valley, the tribes' representatives warned.

A deal to allow Las Vegas-style gambling on tribal lands in Florida could face a major obstacle: the state Legislature. Governor Charlie Crist said he would likely submit any agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to lawmakers for approval, although there are “mixed interpretations” about whether he must.

Alpine, California (AP) - The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians said it plans to build an USD 800 million casino-hotel resort just east of its existing 2,500-slot casino and outlet mall. The new resort 35 miles from downtown San Diego would feature 2,500 slots, a 600-room hotel, a pool, a spa, shops, restaurants, a conference center, a multiplex movie theater, two parking structures and a new power plant. The tribe, which unveiled its plan Thursday, hopes to complete construction in five years.