New Mexico Racetracks seek expansion
Draft legislation would allow racinos to host more slot machines and to offer table games and on-site sports betting parlours.
US.- New Mexico’s racetracks and racinos could expand their activity under draft legislation which is to be reviewed next month at a meeting with the state’s Legislative Finance Committee.
The proposed legislation, obtained by local media outlet the Journal, would allow racinos to operate unlimited video slot machines 24 hours a day. At present racinos are permitted to operate up to six hundred slot machines for 122 hours a week.
The racetrack casinos would also be permitted to host table games and on-site sports betting parlours as well as online gaming.
Certain regulatory changes that were put in place as a compromise with gambling opponents would be reversed. This would mean racinos would be able to sell alcohol and have ATMs on casino floors, as well as offer credit for existing customers and complementary services such as meals or hotel rooms.
It would also mean the end to the central monitoring of slot machine activity by the Gaming Control Board.
The changes would potentially void existing tribal compacts that bring $70 million to the state annually, but a study has suggested that gambling expansion in racinos could still produce more tax revenue without the compacts.
The meeting with the Legislative Finance Committee is scheduled for October 1. Industry representatives from Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino will give a presentation.
