"Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1998, tribes can operate casinos off their reservation on other land they own, under certain conditions. Two of those include the Interior Department and a state's governor determining that a casino would be in the tribe's best interest and that the operation wouldn't harm the community.

Obviously, the proposed casino in Anthony, to be owned and operated by Jemez Pueblo, would fly under both stipulations. The pueblo, blessed and cursed by its off-the-beaten-path location - read: away from interstates - would benefit financially, which is in its best interest. Any money coming in would help a tribe where 38 percent of members live in poverty.

And a casino employing 1,000 locals would certainly increase Anthony's per-capita income of around $6,500 annually, which ranks among the nation's poorest. It's impossible for the operation not to be beneficial for Anthonians: Even a 7-Eleven would be beneficial. The best thing is that most of the bucks gambled away would come from Texans and Mexicans around El Paso and Juarez and would fatten Anthony, Jemez, Dona Ana County and state of New Mexico coffers."

Get the Story:
Eddie Chuculate: Big payoffs (The Albuquerque Journal 1/12)

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