Santa Clara Pueblo wants Pojoaque Pueblo to shutter casinos

Thursday, July 16, 2015

The Santa Claran Hotel Casino in Espanola, New Mexico. Photo from Santa Clara Pueblo

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Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico wants federal authorities to shut down another tribe's casinos that have been operating without a valid Class III gaming compact.

The compact expired on June 30 but the U.S. Attorney's Office won't take action against Pojoaque Pueblo while a lawsuit is pending in federal court. Santa Clara Pueblo said the situation is unfair to other tribes in the northern part of the state.

“On behalf of my Pueblo, I must object strongly to this decision, and while they may not be willing to speak up about it, I believe that many other Pueblos feel the same way,” Santa Clara Gov. J. Michael Chavarria said in a letter to the Obama administration, The Albuquerque Journal.

Santa Clara Pueblo operates the Santa Claran Hotel Casino in Espanola, less than 15 miles from Pojoaque Pueblo. Pojoaque operates two casinos on its reservation -- Cities of Gold and Buffalo Thunder Resort.

Two other tribes -- Ohkay Owingeh and Tesuque Pueblo -- also operate casinos in the area.

Get the Story:
Santa Clara objects to Pojoaque decision (The Albuquerque Journal 7/16) $P Relevant Documents:
BIA Deemed Approved Letter (June 9, 2015)

Federal Register Notice:
Indian Gaming (June 22, 2015) Related Stories:
Pojoaque Pueblo resists higher revenue sharing rate at casinos (7/15)
Four more tribes in New Mexico enter Class III gaming compact (07/02)
Editorial: Pojoaque Pueblo gets pass on illegal gaming operation (07/02)
Pojoaque Pueblo keeps casino open after gaming deal expires (7/1)
Pojoaque Pueblo at critical juncture with Class III gaming deal (6/30)
Pojoaque Pueblo places casino manager on administrative leave (04/24)
Pojoaque Pueblo seeds scholarship fund with gaming revenues (01/12)
Opinion: Tribal and state governments should get out of casinos (12/22)
Appeal set in Pojoaque Pueblo Class III gaming compact dispute (12/16)
Law Article: Judge restricts BIA authority in Class III dispute (10/23)
Judge won't let BIA proceed with compact for Pojoaque Pueblo (10/20)
Judge won't issue injunction in Pojoaque Pueblo compact dispute (09/12)
New Mexico sues to stop Class III decision for Pojoaque Pueblo (08/08)