The Barona, Sycuan and Viejas tribes have each plunked down $200,000 for television, radio and print ads and outdoor billboards. The convention center will do the marketing campaign targeting Orange County residents.

Tribal and bureau officials say the ads are aimed at out-of-town visitors who may not know about the casino-resorts and their shopping centers, restaurants, golf courses and lodging facilities.

Other communities with a significant Indian casino presence have similar advertising plans, including Palm Springs, according to Susan Jensen, spokeswoman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association.

The tribes are in the middle of a building boom.

Sycuan just completed a $95 million casino expansion in which they built a new facility and bought Singing Hills Resort. There are three golf courses, tennis courts and lodging along with the casino.

Barona hired the Las Vegas architect who designed the Paris Hotel, Treasure Island and the Mirage to design their $260 million expansion. It includes a new casino, a 400-room resort hotel and 20,000 square foot event center overlooking a golf course, a Barona spokeswoman said. It is scheduled to open in early 2003.