Casino Stalker | Opinion

Editorial: Reject Jemez Pueblo's plan for off-reservation casino

Thursday, November 18, 2010

"Granting the Jemez Pueblo Indian Tribe a license to open a casino in Anthony, N.M. would go against what Indian gaming should be about - jobs for the tribe.

Once again the proposal to open a $72 million resort and casino between Las Cruces and El Paso is on the table. It had been quashed by the Bush administration in 2008. Now the Obama administration is taking a second look.

The Jemez Pueblo is in northern New Mexico, 293 miles from Anthony. That was the reason given for the Bush administration nix - too far from tribal land. We agree.

We also hesitate to back this proposal since a third casino in southern New Mexico would hurt operations of the others. The Mescalero Apache Tribe operates Inn of the Mountain Gods on its tribal land near Ruidoso. And the slot-machine casino at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino is only a few miles south of the proposed Jemez site.

Also, Sunland owner Stan Fulton indicated long before the Jemez proposal emerged that his multi-million endowment earmarked for New Mexico State University is good as long as there is no casino in his area of operation.

The Mescalero casino is a big job provider for the Apache tribe. Taxes gleaned from the Sunland slot-machine operation go a long way in helping the state's horse racing industry. New Mexico law allows for slots-only at the race tracks operating in the state."

Get the Story:
Our View: Jemez casino not a good fit in Anthony (The Las Cruces Sun-News 11/17)