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JUNE 5, 2001

Santa Clara Pueblo is seeking federal court approval to open its casino under compacts approved recently by the New Mexico State Legislature.

The northern New Mexico tribe says the ongoing talks between other tribes and Attorney General Patricia Madrid threaten to derail the June 15 opening of its first casino.

Although the tribe signed a 1997 compact, it doesn't owe money to the state like the others because it never opened a casino. The other tribes owe more than $100 million.

The tribe is opening a 48,000-square-foot casino and bowling hall in Espanola, about five miles south of the Ohkay Casino owned by San Juan Pueblo. A casino owned by Pojoaque Pueblo is nearby.

The tribe built the casino on land it says is part of its original Spanish land grant. The tribe believes the purchase of the land makes it part of its reservation.

Get the Story:
Big Rock Casino to join Indian gaming (The Santa Fe New Mexican 6/5)
Tribes Balk at Back-Payment Interest (The Albuquerque Journal 6/5)

Relevant Links:
Attorney General, New Mexico - http://www.ago.state.nm.us

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State wants casino back payments (2/23)
NM Tribes ordered to make casino payments (2/14)
NM Tribes may get new compacts (2/13)
Court: New Mexico tribes can be sued (12/8)
Gaming tribes ask for dismissal (8/15)
State sues tribes (6/14)