AS POJOAQUE PUEBLO'S GAMBLING COMPACT WITH NEW MEXICO IS SET TO EXPIRE IN MID 2015, TRIBAL LEADERS NOW WANT TO ELIMINATE REVENUE SHARING PAYMENTS TO THE STATE. CURRENTLY, NEW MEXICO TRIBES PAY THE STATE A SHARE OF SLOT-MACHINE PROCEEDS. BUT POJOAQUE WANTS THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT TO DECIDE TERMS OF A GAMBLING AGREEMENT THAT WOULD NOT ONLY END PAYMENTS TO THE STATE, BUT ALLOW IT TO SERVE ALCOHOL IN CASINO GAMBLING AREAS.
OTHER CHANGES PROPOSED BY THE TRIBE INCLUDE DROPPING THE MINIMUM GAMBLING AGE FROM 21 TO 18 YEARS OLD AND ENDING THE BAN ON CASHING WELFARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS, AND PAYROLL CHECKS.
THE FEDS HAVE ASKED GOVERNOR MARTINEZ AND ATTORNEY GENERAL GARY KING TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSAL. MARTINEZ SPOKESMAN ENRIQUE KNELL SAYS THE PROPOSED DEAL WOULD GIVE POJOAQUE CASINOS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OVER NEIGHBORING TRIBES.
