A federal judge has ruled against a New Mexico tribe trying to obtain a new gambling compact from the Interior Department.
U. S. District Judge James Parker on Friday invalidated Interior Department regulations that allow a tribe to go to the agency for a gambling agreement when it's failed to negotiate a compact with the state.
Pojoaque Gov. George Rivera says the tribe is considering an appeal of the decision.
The court ruling also suggested another possible option of having the federal government sue the state on grounds that New Mexico hasn't negotiated in good faith.
If a judge made that determination, it could trigger a court monitored mediation process for a compact.
Pojoaque's compact with the state expires in June 2015.
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