After Naabik’iyati Committee adopts its agenda, the Committee begins deliberations on its first Legislation, 0396-14: Relating to Naabik’iyati’; Approving a Term Sheet for an Amendment to the Tribal State Gaming Compact between the Navajo Nation and the State of New Mexico (Sponsor: Honorable LoRenzo Bates)
NAVAJO NATION GAMING CEO DERRITH WATCHMAN
9 percent for first three years. with two class Ii projected end $89 m. for 2015, $90 m and multiply by 9 percent. projecting facility grow. $8.5 m by third year. we pay 8 percent now. if look at 2007, paying another percent higher. so 2015 revenue sharing matrix is lower but roughtly $8 m.
Free Play: worked hard not included in calculation. Free Play involves coupon to play and state asked to be included as revenue and new Compact not in there.
Percent reduced from half percent to quarter percent, $227,000 for problem gaming from Navajo casinos in NM.
Item 13, Complimentary Lodging & Meals: $2.7 million is cap on what can be provided as food and lodging comp. Gamers at highest level offered free food and Compact prohibits. we can provide $2.7 m.
GAMING ATTORNEY
Credit, for us, we thought this is something we have to be careful with so don’t end up with liability. important for us in future. when put up casino near tohajiilee, those tribes in southern NM concerned about cuz bring in gamblers from Texas and other states.
Another item not important to us was credit mentioned by Kariss Begay, tribal justice department attorney. credit on adjusted net win and whatever that number then multiply revenue sharing percentage. change is about $25,000 credit so worth less than $200,000. this item important for tribes with small operations.
other important items are comps, four facilities, applizatoin of tribal law, keeping Navajo Hopi land alloweable for gaming. States allowed to ask tribes for what they spend on regulatory fees, $180,000. the two reasons we anticipate state regulatory fees increase is Navajo getting four casinos and so more operations and more for regulators to handle. In 2014 and 2014, there were regulatory fees included and expensive. And regulating Comps more intensive but we halted increasing demands of state.
last issue to discuss is Internet Gaming. 2013 NM-NN Compact elaborate language and 2014 Compant the language removed. but as began negotiations for 2015 Compact, if state approves Internet Gaming then we can reopen Compact and unknown what adjustments to 2015 Compact.
COMMITTEE MEMBER/DELEGATE NELSON BEGAYE
Thank you to folks working on gaming compact. as requested by sponosor, motion to make Amendment 1, regulatory fees change from $400,000 to $375,000.
VOTE on AMENDMENT 1: 11 IN FAVOR, 0 OPPOSED
COMMITTEE MEMBER/DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
on page 1 of proposed gaming compact, why fourth facility on June 14, 2015? why is NM asking about our economic development plans? we never tell state where to do their ec development. it’s time we have president who points out double speaking on outside. but with four Class III casinos; we have two now so i guess is a question that will have to go into executive session.
page 2, no big deal to me, i’ll be old and grey and in nursing home.
After a few more technical questions, the Naabik’iyati Committee APPROVED Legislation 0396-14 with a Vote of 11 in favor, 0 opposed. 0396-14 only required the approval of Naabi.
NOTE: I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN COPIES OF HANDOUTS FOR PROPOSED NAVAJO NATION-NEW MEXICO 2015 GAMING COMPACT, WHICH INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF THE COMPACT, THE COMPACT, AND THE SOLE AMENDMENT TO THE COMOPACT. I’LL SCAN THE THREE DOCUMENTS AND POST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING.
