The company partnering with the Jemez Pueblo in a bid to build a casino in Anthony put out this news release about a proposal by the Tigua tribe of
(You can read about The Tiguas by clicking here or scrolling down.)
Jemez/Anthony casino responds to Tigua proposal
The recent announcement by the Tigua tribe of
Like the
The Department of Interior has never approved an application for an out-of-state tribe. For example, the department recently rejected the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma’s bid for a casino to settle a land claim near
In the three off-reservation casinos approved by the Department of the Interior, no other Indian casinos have been allowed to enter the same geographic market once approved. This was reiterated by Gary Garrison, spokesperson for the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, in an article from the Albuquerque Journal in November 2004, when he said it was highly unlikely a tribe would get approval under these conditions.
The proposed Jemez-Anthony casino project is the largest private economic development project in the history of Doña Ana Country, and represents 950 good-paying jobs with healthcare for area residents. The proposal enjoys widespread support from county government, Anthony officials, and thousands of area residents. The Pueblo of Jemez knows the application process is lengthy, and two years into the process, their application continues to move forward.
And the other side’s comments
Here’s the other side arguing its case. Scott Scanland, a lobbyist for Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, gave these comments to the Albuquerque Journal. The racetrack’s owner, Stan Fulton, is behind the Committee to
“A little over two years ago, when this whole heinous scheme started, I testified, along with others from
Scanland also said opponents are focusing on defeating the Jemez proposal first, because it has a two-year lead on the others.
“What we’re doing now is communicating with the federal government in opposition to the Jemez/Peters casino,” Scanland said. “There have been some bills over the last few years trying to curb or stop (off-reservation gambling), but with the new (Democratic majority) Congress, the prospect of any of that type of legislation passing is pretty small.”