Arizona court denies track request

The Arizona Supreme Court has rejected a request by state racetracks to bar Gov. Jane Hull from signing gaming compacts with Native American tribes, putting an end to the tracks' efforts to get relief from the state.

The tracks had argued that Proposition 202, passed by voters on Nov. 5 to allow expanded gambling on reservation casinos, was unconstitutional. Arizona Supreme Court Justice Michael Ryan denied the injunction request without comment.

Proposition 202 will allow existing Native American tribes to add slot machines to their casinos and begin offering blackjack. Under the measure, the casinos would begin paying the state up to 8 percent of their revenue.

A measure supported by the tracks, Proposition 201, was soundly defeated on Nov. 5. That measure would have allowed slot machines at tracks.