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Politics

Voters Reject Prop. 48, Blocking Casino Approval

UPDATE: 10:55 p.m.

Voters have rejected Proposition 48.

The initiative's defeat Tuesday stalls an effort by the North Fork Rancheria Band of Mono Indians to build a casino with up to 2,000 slot machines.

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A law approving the casino was previously passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Original post

A ballot measure that would allow a Native American tribe near Fresno to build a Las Vegas-style casino off its reservation is getting resistance from voters.

Early returns Tuesday show nearly 58 percent of voters rejecting Proposition 48, which would set a precedent for tribal gambling in California.

Voters were asked to approve or reject a law passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown that would allow the North Fork Rancheria Band of Mono Indians to build a Las Vegas-style casino with up to 2,000 slot machines nearly 40 miles from its reservation.

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The casino was proposed about 30 miles from Fresno and 25 miles from a casino operated by the Table Mountain Rancheria tribe.

That proximity had Table Mountain accusing North Fork of "reservation shopping" to build a casino closer to an urban center.

North Fork said the 305-acre plot was used by the tribe in the 1850s and a casino would bring 4,500 jobs to the area.

The 2024 primary election is March 5. Find in-depth reporting on each race to help you understand what's on your ballot.