One possible compromise would be for the tribes to enter into an agreement with the state that would allow limited casino winnings to be covered by the house. Manella said the federal government, which has exclusive jurisdiction over the reservations, has allowed slot machines to exist in a kind of legal limbo for three years while negotiations among the tribes and government officials took place. She said that of the more than 30 tribes that offer casino gambling in California, only the nine that were sued last week have refused to sign the agreement to get rid of the slot machines.
