Santa Clara asks feds to shut down Pojoaque casinos

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) – Santa Clara Pueblo has asked the federal government to shut down Pojoaque Pueblo’s casinos north of Santa Fe, which have continued to operate without a state gambling compact.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports Santa Clara Gov. J. Michael Chavarria addressed the U.S. Department of the Interior’s deputy secretary of Indian affairs in a July 5 letter. Chavarria wrote that allowing Buffalo Thunder and Cities of Gold casinos to operate gives Pojoaque an unfair advantage over other gambling tribes.

Pojoaque’s compact with the state expired at the end of June.

Pojoaque leaders have been trying to negotiate a new compact with the federal government after failing to negotiate with the state in 2013.

The casinos have been allowed to operate while the U.S. Court of Appeals addresses the matter.

–––

Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com