Richardson, pueblo governors OK gaming compacts

Gov. Bill Richardson and eight pueblo governors signed new gaming compacts today that were negotiated during this year’s legislative session.

The compacts give a bigger share of casino profits to the state and last until 2037, but must still be approved by the federal Interior Department, the Associated Press is reporting.

The agreement allows for only one more racetrack with a casino in the state.

The agreement was signed by the governors of the pueblos of Sandia, Ohkay Owingeh, Tesuque, Santa Clara, San Felipe, Isleta, Picuris and Taos. The governors of Santa Ana and Laguna pueblos plan to sign the agreement but couldn’t attend today’s ceremony in Santa Fe, the news service reported.

The Pojoaque and Acoma pueblos and the Mescalero and Jicarilla Apaches don’t have plans to sign the agreements, the news service reported, but they have eight months to change their minds. If they don’t, they’ll keep operating under the current compacts that expire in 2015.