New Mexico gets nearly $16M in tribal gambling revenues

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – American Indian tribes that operate casinos in New Mexico shared with the state nearly $16 million in gambling revenues during the last quarter.

The New Mexico Gaming Control Board released the 2014 fourth quarter numbers Tuesday. Sandia Pueblo reported the most net winnings during the period with more than $36 million.

In all, tribes reported about $176 million for the quarter. That’s about $5 million less than the same period in 2013.

Officials say tribes paid New Mexico more than $66 million in 2014 under revenue-sharing agreements that call for the state to ensure gaming exclusivity for the tribes in exchange for a percentage of net winnings.

Net winnings represent the amount wagered on gaming machines, less the prizes won on those machines and regulatory fees.