State wants tribe to pay $30M in gaming revenues

Friday, February 18, 2005

New Mexico's attorney general asked a federal judge on Thursday to force Pojoaque Pueblo to pay $30 million in gaming revenues or close the tribe's casino.

The state says the money is owed under a compact that required tribes to share 16 percent of its revenues. Pojoaque Pueblo has refused to pay, saying the agreement is unfair.

At one point, all of the state's gaming tribes refused to pay but they settled with the state for a total of $116 million. The tribes then signed a new compact that caps the rate at 8 percent.

Attorney General Patricia Madrid said she doesn't really want the casino to close and is willing to accept a payment plan.

Get the Story:
State: Pay up or close down casino (The Santa Fe New Mexican 2/18)
pwpwd
N.M. Attorney General: Make Pojoaque Pueblo Pay, or Close Casino (The Albuquerque Journal 2/18)