SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A federal official says Indian gambling compacts proposed for four New Mexico tribes might violate federal law by effectively prohibiting an Oklahoma-headquartered tribe from opening a casino in southern New Mexico.
The director of the Interior Department's Office of Indian Gaming said a provision in compacts proposed for four other tribes could prevent the Fort Still Apache Tribe from opening a casino.
Office director Paula Hart told a legislator that the provision might violate the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act because the Fort Sill Apaches' land falls outside a provision on eligible land.
However, Martinez aide Jessica Hernandez says the provision doesn't affect tribes that aren't parties to the compacts and that each tribe can propose its own compact.