The governor also signed a bill to allow one of the state's poorest tribes, the Yuroks in far Northern California, to open a casino with 99 slot machines near Highway 101.

State lawmakers on June 28 approved the gambling accords the governor negotiated with the Yurok and four Southern California tribes: the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

Schwarzenegger has said the Southern California casino deals could generate $13.4 billion to $22.4 billion in tribal revenue-sharing payments to the state over 25 years.

Protesting a lack of worker protections in the agreements, a hotel, casino and hospitality workers union, UNITE-HERE, is threatening to gather signatures for a voter initiative to block the major tribes' casino expansions.