Tribes with off-reservation casinos wait on Obama

Monday, March 9, 2009

Two tribes with off-reservation casino proposal are hoping President Barack Obama will bring a change in gaming policy.

Jemez Pueblo of New Mexico and the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma are seeking casinos in southern New Mexico. The Bush administration opposed both proposals so the tribes are now waiting to see what Obama and his administration will say.

"We're hoping there may be changes within various positions in the federal government that would have a bearing on the disposition of our property out there, but basically, we're willing to wait as long as it takes," Fort Sill Apache Chairman Jeff Houser told The Las Cruces Sun-News.

So far, the Senate has only confirmed Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. The other top political positions at the Interior Department remain unfilled.

Get the Story:
Change in Washington could revive area gaming plans (The Las Cruces Sun-News 3/9)