Police Block Entrance To Indian Tribe Casino in New Mexico

Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico felt he had no choice. He has ordered a high stakes bingo parlor to be blocked at the entrance by state police. The parlor was built by the Fort Sill Apache Tribe.

The tribe has plans for gaming at the location of Akela, but the federal government has yet to rule on whether to allow the tribe to follow through with their plans.

The tribe insists they have no specific plans for a full blown casino. Whether they do or not, Richardson will not allow anyone into the bingo parlor until the federal government makes their ruling.

Richardson claims the gambling operation that the tribe is partaking in is illegal. While the tribe claims the temporary portable buildings for the bingo parlor, the federal government has been holding the 30 acre site at Akela in trust for the tribe.

The Governor is planning on keeping the police at the site until at least tomorrow. The police are ordered to secure the entrance to the bingo parlor and make sure that nobody is allowed in to gamble.

There is no timetable for when the federal government will either deny or approve the future plans of a casino for the Indian tribe.

February 28, 2008
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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