A poker room at the Buffalo Thunder Resort at Pojoaque Pueblo in New Mexico. Photo from Facebook
New Mexico newspaper accuses Pojoaque Pueblo of harming other tribes by continuing to operate its casinos without a Class III gaming compact:
Pojoaque cannot legally engage in gambling without a state compact – which expired June 30. Still, the U.S. Attorney has chosen not to enforce the law, saying to do so would cause Pojoaque – which operates the $250 million Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino north of Santa Fe, as well as other gambling facilities – more harm than good. What about the harm to the state’s 14 other gambling tribes that are following the rules, as expressed by Santa Clara? In its latest lawsuit, Pojoaque claims that the governor-appointed Gaming Control Board is interfering with its business by delaying approval of some of its vendors’ gaming licenses. Pojoaque has accused the state of “negotiating in bad faith” even though 15 tribes have agreed to the compacts. Given the pueblo’s stance with the state and its tribal competitors, and its willingness to file lawsuits, it would seem a hard case to make that it’s not the one acting in bad faith. Interior and Justice need to factor all that in going forward.Get the Story:
Editorial: Pojoaque’s MO: lawsuits (The Albuquerque Journal 7/24) Relevant Documents:
BIA Deemed Approved Letter (June 9, 2015) Federal Register Notice:
Indian Gaming (June 22, 2015)
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