Strong opposition to a proposal by the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians to build a 2,500-slot gambling casino surfaced Saturday during a five-hour public hearing. Although outnumbered by opponents, many spoke in favor of the casino.

Citizens from San Pablo and surrounding communities expressed concern about the effects of a large casino on traffic, crime and quality of life. They noted that it would bring Indian gaming into an urban area in California for the first time.

Conceivably, there could be four urban casinos in the East Bay in a short time, speakers said. The Oakland City Council has already gone on record opposing a plan for a casino near Oakland International. Another is proposed for Point Molate, near the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.

Several speakers expressed concerns about gambling addiction.

Supporters said the card room now on the site, operated by the Lyttons, has operated smoothly and provides good jobs with solid benefits.

The new, much larger casino with slot machines and other gambling games, would provide many jobs with good benefits and a retirement plan, helping an area that is among the most economically deprived in the Bay Area, they said.

The hearing — called by state Assemblymember Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley — drew an overflow crowd of more than 400.

In coming months, the state Legislature must ratify an agreement negotiated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger with the Lyttons to build their gambling mecca on 91/2 acres awarded the landless band by Congress.

Once the pact is approved, it must go to the U.S. Interior Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs for final approval. Speakers pointed out that even if the Legislature turns down the pact, the federal government could still allow the band to complete the project.

Hancock, who does not favor the plan, told the crowd that passage of the compact isn't certain. There are members on both the Democratic and Republican side who have serious questions, she said.

More than 50 people spoke. Andres Soto of Richmond   noted that the people of San Pablo voted for a card room, not a casino. The school district should be considered as well, he said.

Michael May, a card room employee, said people in the card room still smoke despite a ban in California.

Elliot Randle, a UC Berkeley student, suggested opposition to the plan is strong even in San Pablo. "In three days of hard work with volunteers, we got 1,000 letters of opposition," he said.

But a number of San Pablo residents spoke in favor of the plan.

"I'm a resident of San Pablo," said one man. "This will bring 2,000 new jobs with decent pay and health care. I support that."

"'I have four sons and two daughters. We have medical insurance, a decent wage and benefits. We support the casino. If there are problems (and objections), we can find solutions," said a San Pablo card room employee.

"I'm for the casino," said Tony Perez, a Richmond resident. "We need change."

But Jeanie Weatherly of Richmond told the story of her family: Her father was a gambling addict and the family lost everything and lived in poverty.

Juan Ortega, one of about two dozen people wearing yellow shirts declaring support for the Lytton casino, pointed out that the casino will supply what San Pablo lacks: money for the city.

Carolyn Summey, who has lived in San Pablo since she was 4, said the city used to be a party town, but it changed. "I don't want to see it become a party town again."

Several members of area city councils also spoke.

"We were in such a poor situation financially that we were going to have to unincorporate, stop being a city," said San Pablo Mayor Joseph Gomes. "Since the card club came into being, our financial situation is solid."

Oakland City Councilmember Jean Quan noted that Oakland, San Leandro, Alameda and Berkeley have voted against the Oakland casino plan. "The Oakland plan and the Lytton plan should send shockwaves."

If a tribe can claim hunting rights and say that local and state government have no control or say and only the BIA can approve the plans,   that does not look good, she said.

"More than 50 percent of the casinos' income will come from people who earn less than $30,000 a year," Quan said.

El Cerrito Mayor Sandi Potter said the scale of the project is too large and El Cerrito citizens are concerned about traffic. All costs for traffic improvements should be paid by the developer, she said.

Before the public was heard, a number of experts on gambling, on Indian gaming and economic impacts of casinos spoke. Other speakers included Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, who questioned the chances of gambling proceeds ever reaching the county and city. San Pablo City Manager Arner Brock said the city's economic fate depends on the card room and the casino.

William Thompson, a University of Nevada, Las Vegas professor who has consulted with a number of Indian nations, scoffed at charges that the casino would be "Las Vegas style."

In 1978, Nevada had 100 percent of the casinos in America; today, there are riverboat casinos and Indian casinos in many   states, he said. "In 1978 Las Vegas earned $2 billion from gambling; in 2005, we'll earn $10.5 billion."

He suggested the Lytton proposal was more like a grocery store with slots than a major casino on the Las Vegas strip.

Two traffic experts spoke — Arnold Torma, an engineering consultant, and Stuart Cohen, executive director of the Transportation and Lane Use Coalition.

Torma said 2,500 slots would increase traffic on Interstate 80 about 10 percent a day and would no doubt require an extra lane in each direction, plus a new freeway interchange.