Ocean's Eleven disappointed by Prop. 68 decision

By: ROB O'DELL - Staff Writer | Monday, October 11, 2004 9:38 PM PDT ∞

OCEANSIDE ---- Owners of Ocean's Eleven Casino said Monday they're disappointed that the backers of Proposition 68 have pulled all financial support for the measure, which, if approved by voters, would give the casino the right to operate 800 slot machines.

Last week, backers of the initiative announced they were suspending all their television advertising for the measure. The measure will still be on the Nov. 2 ballot, but its backers said they do not believe it will get the simple majority it needs to pass.

The initiative would allow 16 sites statewide to bring in a combined total of 30,000 slot machines if any of the 61 American Indian tribes with compacts with the state refuse to give 25 percent of their slot machines' revenue to the state.

Ocean's Eleven general manager Bob Moyer said that while he was disappointed by the decision to pull the measure's TV ads, he understood the reasoning behind it.

"Why should we throw good money after bad?" he said.

Proponents of Prop. 68 had spent $24 million in support of the measure, including $12 million on television advertising. By comparison, the Indian tribes and other groups opposing the initiative have raised more than $35 million.

Moyer likened the decision to suspend campaign advertising to getting up and walking away from the poker table when it's clear that you are losing.

"You don't continue to sit at the table; you get up and leave," he said. "There will be another day."

Moyer wouldn't say whether he thought the initiative would be on the ballot again if it fails this November. But he said the card clubs and racetracks would continue to fight against the growing power of Indian gaming.

"They are not going to give up on the issue," Moyer said of the racetracks that are backing the initiative.

Moyer said he thought it would be interesting to see how the proposition does without any advertising.

Public support for the initiative is close to nil, according to the latest Field Poll, which showed only 20 percent of those surveyed supporting the measure while 59 percent opposed it. The results were released Oct. 9.

Oceanside Councilwoman Esther Sanchez, an outspoken opponent of Prop. 68, said she was glad to see the backers pull their advertising. She said the 800 slot machines would have brought in more traffic and crime to the city. She pointed out that many police unions, including Oceanside's, were opposed to the measure.

"I think it was a good thing for the city of Oceanside (that the funding was pulled)," Sanchez said. "It would have created crime and traffic with no relief whatsoever."

Contact staff writer Rob O'Dell at (760) 901-4067 or rodell@nctimes.com.

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