The Pojoaque Pueblo is throwing tomahawks that are legal the state of the latest Mexico over a compact they feel is perhaps not being negotiated in good faith (Image: Pojoaque Pueblo Realty)
It’s no secret that the negotiations that are compact United states Indian tribes and states concerning casinos and other gambling facilities could be contentious through the best of times. On the one hand, states tend to be reluctant partners who want to get as much benefit that is financial possible without allowing tribes to offer unrestricted gaming on their land. Meanwhile, the tribes are frequently unhappy about having to negotiate at all to bring economic development to land that is supposed to be their own.
Tense Standoff
That’s a pretty good description of the relationship between New Mexico and the Pojoaque Pueblo tribe of Native Americans. Right now, the 2 sides are running under a concise that will last until 2015 june. However with that agreement operating out in about 18 months, negotiations are underway to strike a bargain that is new the Pojoaque Pueblo doesn’t think hawaii is dealing in good faith.
That’s why the tribe has decided to sue the state throughout the failure in negotiations. According to the Pojoaque Pueblo, their state government as well as in particular, Governor Susana Martinez’s administration was attempting to collect an illegal tax without any new benefits for the tribe.
The tribe started seeking a renewal associated with the compact in June 2010, as well as the state later appointed a negotiator to work a deal out. But after two meetings, the tribe says there is no progress at all on the many points that are important.
More Taxes, More Fees
Based on the lawsuit, the Pojoaque Pueblo says that their state’s proposal would understand two sides access a compact that is 23-year. Immediately, their state’s share of gambling income would increase from 8 percent to 9.5 % — and would climb further in later years, up to a level that is eventual of percent. Meanwhile, the state’s proposal would involve increased fees also and would restrict the scope of tribal gambling operations. Presently, the tribe operates two gambling enterprises north of Santa Fe the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino, and the populous Cities of Gold Casino and would like to maintain the substitute for open other properties aswell.
‘The Pueblo cannot concur to greater taxation and regulatory fees, the continuation of outdated company methods, or new limitations being damaging to the industry,’ stated Pueblo Governor George Rivera.
According towards the Pueblo, a counteroffer was issued that will maybe not ask the state for any security from gambling competition. However, that proposal also does not include any conditions for the tribe to share gaming revenue.
A spokesman for Governor Martinez disputed the tribe’s claims, stating that they’ve been negotiating in good faith.
‘It’s incredibly unfortunate that Pojoaque has chosen to litigate, not negotiate,’ said spokesman Enrique Knell. ‘This is an unnecessary and possibly costly tactic on the part, one that, regrettably, tribal leadership has been seemingly determined to simply take for the last year.’
The lawsuit doesn’t ask for damages, but instead requests that the court appoint a mediator that would work using the two edges for up to 60 times in order to help strike a deal.
This lawsuit is just the latest incident in a contentious relationship between the Pojoaque Pueblo and brand New Mexico. While almost every other tribes signed gambling compacts in 2001, Pojoaque was 1 of 2 tribes to refuse, perhaps not coming to a contract with the state until 2005. In 2007, many tribes agreed to extended compacts by having a tax increase that brought hawaii’s share of revenue up to 10.75 per cent, but the Pojoaque Pueblo again refused.
No Takers Yet for Atlantic Club Auction As Union Makes Demands
The Atlantic Club one of the oldest casinos that are existing Atlantic City stays up for auction (Image: Philly.com/Michael Bryant)
UPDATED DEC. 22:
Finally a taker for the Atlantic Club, but perhaps maybe not just what the casino had in your mind: Caesars Entertainment real-money-casino.club has apparently devote a bid for the beleaguered property, but then plans to shut it down because early as January 13, 2014.
Colony Capital LLC the outfit that presently owns Atlantic Club announced late week that is last the sales agreement would be forwarded to bankruptcy court for last approvals.
Caesars is getting the home for a fire sale cost of $15 million, which includes the entire property and all its fixtures; the casino’s current gaming equipment happens to be snatched up by competitor Tropicana for $8.4 million, and legal processing will charge the removal of the apparatus to Atlantic Club.
With the closing, Atlantic City’s troubled land casino scene will shrink to 11, and four of those remaining are Caesars-owned properties.
The total $23.4 million sale price gives Atlantic Club the dubious difference of establishing a fresh lower in casino sales; the earlier low record holder was Resorts Casino Hotel, sold 3 years ago for $31.5 million.
Who wants to buy the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel in Atlantic City? For those who have the cash and you are not PokerStars, of course the casino is currently up for auction, permitting whoever has fascination with purchasing the fighting property to pick it up, likely at a bargain price.
Going, Going, Still Here
However, after two days at auction, there still hasn’t been a customer. That does not mean that nobody will select the casino up: despite the fact that it might probably well function as least of this dozen casinos in Atlantic City, it’s still a casino most likely, and has now a lot of potential value. The casino hopes to have someone willing to make a purchase by Monday, plus it’s likely that talks are ongoing with potential buyers in the times to come.
Nevertheless, the process is certainly going a bit slower than expected. Whenever the Atlantic Club Casino went into bankruptcy, the bankruptcy court set down a schedule for the sale associated with casino that assumed a buyer would be found by the second day of auction. Meaning the schedule that is entire of has been pushed back, with a hearing to obtain a judge’s approval for any sale being pushed back again to Monday morning.
That purchase may have simply turn into a bit more complex. Neighborhood 54 regarding the Unite-HERE union has expected a judge to block any purchase of the Atlantic Club that doesn’t add a guarantee from the client that they’ll assume the existing employee contract, or at the very least negotiate a new one with the union. The union, which represents a number of different casino and hotel employees, filed their objection just in time for you to meet a deadline that is last-minute.
Based on the union, the Atlantic Club didn’t comply with a federal bankruptcy code regulation that needs both notification towards the union, and negotiations before they would be allowed to terminate an existing labor contract. They state that none of the potential buyers have met this legal requirement either, which would suggest they’d need certainly to accept the existing contract.
Long History in Atlantic City
The bankruptcy and sale regarding the Atlantic Club are only the final chapters into the story of a casino that is long-struggling. Previously referred to as the Atlantic City Hilton, it is among the smallest and oldest gambling enterprises within the city, also it has had difficulty contending with many of its newer and much more neighbors that are luxurious. The Atlantic Club tried to rebrand itself as a haven for locals and casual gamblers, but that move only served to stave off the inevitable in recent years.
Earlier this the Rational Group the parent company of PokerStars attempted to purchase the Atlantic Club in an effort to gain a foothold in New Jersey ahead of the state’s regulation of online gambling year. The sale could have been the lowest priced in history for any Atlantic City casino, with PokerStars paying simply $15 million to gain ownership.
However, the purchase happened up because of fears that state regulators will be uncomfortable with a purchase by an online gambling company that continued operating within the United States after the passage of the UIGEA regulations in 2006. After contractual due dates passed, the Atlantic Club backed out of the deal, and PokerStars didn’t recover $11 million they had loaned towards the casino, which had been designated towards the purchase price.
MGM Clears Springfield Massachusetts Suitability Check
An artist’s rendering associated with the proposed MGM Springfield in Massachusetts, that has now passed the suitability hurdle.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission should be full of warm-heartedness this vacation period; just a couple of times after providing Steve Wynn their blessing that is papal a suitability thumbs up for his planned Everett casino project in eastern Massachusetts, they will have now done the same for MGM Resorts Global and its own potential Springfield casino in the western element of the state.
Technically, the commission approved Blue Tarp reDevelopment LLC (sic), but that body is underneath the 99 percent ownership of MGM, with just one single percent belonging up to a Paul Picknelly.
‘Our approach from the start of this rigorous procedure has gone to be as forthright … as possible in order to showcase our … global work ethic and high requirements,’ stated MGM in a posted statement, following the long-drawn-out approval process, which has dragged on for pretty much a year now. The intense investigation concentrated on both MGM’s monetary and ‘ethical’ suitability to conduct business in the state of Massachusetts.
Locals’ Reaction Still Mixed
Although MGM is currently the only casino developer still standing for the solitary western Massachusetts permit and inspite of the suitability clearance local reaction remains blended to the possibility of having legal gambling become a brick-and-mortar reality in the Bay State.
‘Everyone wants the money. That’s the things I think. The cities want money. Everybody desires money and so it’s going to be very hard,’ Stephen Jasienowski of Northampton told a regional news outlet.
Good read, Stephen.
But another area resident, Tom Courtney of Wilbraham, told the headlines that he believes the casino could be a benefit that is definite the region, which has been hard-hit by the economic recession of recent years years.
‘Springfield’s gone through some difficult times therefore I think maybe something such as this may not be an idea that is bad the general area,’ said Courtney.
Earlier this November’s casino referendum vote in Massachusetts was rocky, depending on which parts of the state were up for vote, but both Everett where Steve Wynn’s casino project is on the fast track now and Springfield managed to pass by a margin that is wide. Areas like Suffolk Downs’ planned East Boston/Revere property were met with oddly divergent views; while East Boston summarily rejected the proposal, Revere overwhelmingly authorized it, and along side new partner Mohegan Sun, Suffolk Downs is now pursuing A revere-only redo on their plans, with the blessings associated with the gaming commission.
Is Comprehensive Steam Ahead Now
With this suitability stamp of approval, Springfield’s primary development officer Kevin Kennedy foresees smooth sailing from here on out for the MGM casino project within their city, with official licensing expected to come through some time in May.
‘If we do every thing correctly, and we continue on the path that we’re on and now have been on for quite a while, I think we’re on the right road so i believe we’re gonna be okay,’ said Kennedy, redundantly.
Should that licensing come through as planned, MGM might start breaking ground the same thirty days, which would mean the brand new Springfield casino could possibly open as early as end-of-year 2016.