House Passes Much-Anticipated Gaming Compact

Agreement Promotes Transparency, Stability and Economic Development

Santa Fe, NM The New Mexico House of Representatives passed a gaming compact Thursday
that will allow several American Indian tribes to continue operating casinos for another 22 years.
The agreement promotes accountability and transparency and gives New Mexicos tribes the
tools they need to grow and thrive. SJR 19, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Clahchischilliage and Sen.
Clemente Sanchez, passed by a bipartisan 61-5 vote.

Casinos are instrumental to our economy; they provide jobs and government revenue. It is my
job to see that we are fighting for these jobs and for our Native American communities who
benefit from them, said Clahchischilliage, who was instrumental in bringing the legislation to
the House floor.

The compact is the result of three years of negotiations between tribal leaders and Gov. Susana
Martinez. The tribes include Jicarilla Apache Nation, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, the Navajo
Nation, the Pueblo of Acoma and the Pueblo of Jemez.

Among other things, the tribes agree to provide monthly and quarterly reports to help identify
problems much sooner; they agree to better address problem gamblers by providing more
information to players, putting a percentage of their gaming revenue toward treatment services
and providing information to the state to show that those treatment dollars are being used
effectively; and there will be an increase in revenue sharing, meaning more dollars going into the
state coffers.

The agreement also provides greater flexibility to the tribes to allow them to attract out-of-state
players. This includes longer hours of operation and more flexibility in providing complimentary
food and lodging. It also allows tribes to operate two or three casinos depending on their
population.

I am glad that all parties came together to pass this very important agreement that was brokered
by Governor Martinez and our local tribes, Clahchischilliage concluded. Today was a huge
victory for our Native American communities.

Gaming in New Mexico provides valuable economic development dollars. For example, in 2014
alone, the Navajo Nations three casinos generated nearly $80 million, provided 755 jobs and
contributed about $6.3 million in revenue to the state.

The compact will expire on June 30, 2037.

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