Judge allows state to go after vendors dealing with Pojoaque Pueblo casinos

A New Mexico judge has dealt a major blow to Pojoaque Pueblo‘s gambling operations.

U.S. District Judge James Browning sided with Gov. Susana Martinez and the state gaming board, allowing Martinez’s administration to go after vendors who do business with the tribe’s casinos on grounds that Pojoaque Pueblo and the state don’t have a current gambling compact, state news outlets reported.

In a 200-page opinion and order, Browning denied the tribe’s request to block the state from taking action against vendors, including banks, credit card companies, gaming machine vendors, advertisers and bond holders, doing business with its gaming interests.

Browning said Pojoaque Pueblo “failed to demonstrate it would be irreparably injured if a stay preventing state action against vendors was not imposed,” noting that the tribe’s argument is “speculative.”