Pojoaque Pueblo wants to take state out of casino operations


The Buffalo Thunder Resort in New Mexico. Photo from Facebook / Cornell & Company / Mike Wilson

Pojoaque Pueblo wants to cut the state of New Mexico out of oversight and regulation of its gaming enterprise, The Albuquerque Journal reports.

The tribe sent a Class III gaming procedures request to the Bureau of Indian Affairs that ends revenue sharing, lowers the gambling age to 18, authorizes liquor on the gaming floor and removes other state restrictions, the paper said.

“We have built a facility that is a huge investment, and the pueblo is not willing to give its hard-earned money away while the whole reason for gaming was to take care of our communities,” Gov. George Rivera told the paper.

The tribe operates two Class III facilities on its reservation. The proposed compact would allow Class III games at additional locations.

Gov. Susana Martinez (R) has until August 22 to respond to the request, the Journal reported.

Get the Story:
Pojoaque Pueblo wants to change rules for its casinos (The Albuquerque Journal 7/24)
Pojoaque Pueblo Seeks Gambling Compact With No Payments to N.M. (KSFR 7/24)

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