Yesterday, the New Mexico Senate gave the nod to a gambling compact between the state and several local Indian tribes that would allow them to continue operating their existing casinos.
A total of 35 upper house representatives voted in favor of the proposal and only seven were against it. Now, it needs to be reviewed by the House.
State Legislature, however, will have to give its final decision quickly as the current compact between New Mexico and the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, the Navajo Nation, and Acoma Publo is due to expire on June 30. If tribal officials and the Legislature do not reach an agreement, the currently existing casinos will need to be shuttered.
Jemez Pueblo, which does not manage a gambling venue at present, has also signed on to the compact in question. It seems that other tribes, too, have expressed interest in joining the efforts of the afore-mentioned five nations.
During the past three years, Gov. Susana Martinez has been working with tribal officials so as for the proposed compact to ensure the creation of new jobs as well as an increase in revenues from gaming activities that would be contributed to the state.
The approval of the gambling compact, however, met some opposition. Several lawmakers argued that gambling operations on the territory of New Mexico should be restricted. Others expressed their discontent with the fact that the agreement does not include the Fort Sill Apache Tribe, which intends to build a gambling venue on land that was acquired in 2002.
Under the proposed compact, all tribes that would like to operate casinos on land that was put into trust after 1988 would need to discuss separately their bid with the New Mexico regulators.
Sen. Clemente Sanchez, who was appointed as chairman of the agreement committee, said that the compact would definitely lead to an increase in the money contributed to the state’s coffers out of gambling activities.
Last year, net winnings of $731 million were posted by tribal gambling venues that operate on the territory of New Mexico. And they paid a total of $66 million to the state, so as to be allowed to provide their services.
Sen. Sanchez predicted that the sum might increase to $77 million in 2019, provided that the current compact gets the necessary approval.
Tribal officials hope that the Legislature will announce its decision before March 21, when it is scheduled to adjourn. Then, the proposal will need to be reviewed and approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
