OPINION: Tribal gaming is a proven partnership for NM's prosperity

Tribal gaming in New Mexico has long been a cornerstone of economic development for not only tribes, but for the state and its citizens. This partnership has generated thousands of direct and indirect jobs, strengthened local economies, supported small businesses, contributed millions in revenue to the state and enhanced tourism through world-class entertainment. For tribal governments, gaming revenue is the primary funding source for essential services including education, housing, health care, public safety, infrastructure and natural resource stewardship.

Today, tribes and the state face a mutual challenge: the rise of illegal, unregulated internet gaming (iGaming). These out-of-state platforms operate outside the legal framework and contribute nothing to the state’s economy. Unlike tribal gaming, which is highly regulated and conducted pursuant to negotiated agreements, iGaming bypasses all revenue sharing, oversight and local investment. This undermines the very foundation of the tribal-state partnership that has benefitted communities across New Mexico.

The tribal-state compacts under which tribal gaming is conducted were crafted through decades of negotiation and represent a balanced agreement rooted in mutual respect and shared goals. In exchange for a share of gaming revenue, the state agreed to limit other forms of gaming outside narrowly defined exceptions. Since 2002, tribes have contributed over $1.36 billion in tribal gaming revenue to the state through the tribal-state compacts, and nearly $240 million in the past three years alone. These contributions reflect our shared commitment to ensuring that gaming in New Mexico is conducted under a clear, collaborative framework exclusively by tribes (with limited exceptions for racinos — casinos at horse racing venues — and charitable gaming). This framework has enabled tribes to sustain critical governmental functions and expand into diverse nongaming ventures, further boosting the state’s economy.

Tribal gaming enterprises are among New Mexico’s largest employers, providing approximately 15,000 stable jobs, three-quarters of which are held by nontribal citizens. These jobs and their associated economic activity benefit communities throughout the state. As required by federal law, 100% of tribal gaming net revenue is reinvested in government services and programs that directly support tribal communities and the regions surrounding them.

Maintaining the integrity of the compacts is critical to sustaining the benefits this partnership has generated. As unregulated iGaming expands, we respectfully urge our state partners to uphold the commitments embedded in our compacts. Several states have already taken action against unauthorized iGaming. New Mexico has the opportunity to do the same.

A growing number of brick-and-mortar gaming operators are opposing the unprecedented encroachment of iGaming into their legal gaming spheres. Laguna Development Corporation (the wholly owned subsidiary of the Pueblo of Laguna operating Route 66 Casino Hotel and Dancing Eagle Casino) recently joined forces with commercial gaming operators in the fight against iGaming by becoming a member of the National Association Against iGaming. A Mescalero Apache Tribe representative recently spoke to an interim committee of state lawmakers about the threat iGaming poses to tribal gaming and the compacts.

Together, we can continue to build on the progress we’ve made through a strong government-to-government partnership — one that honors commitments, respects the law, and drives shared prosperity across New Mexico.