effort underway for the construction of new racino

More than a decade after New Mexico signed a compact with casino-operating Native American tribes limiting the number of racinos in the state, plans are in the works for a sixth and final combined racing track and casino.

Two separate groups are currently in the process of putting together proposals for the construction of a new racino that would ultimately have to first win the approval of two different state commissions.

Those proposals would also see the construction of restaurant and bar space.

One project, proposed by the Quay County Gaming Authority, would see the construction of a racino off Interstate 40 in Tucumcari.

The second project, offered by the Laguna Development Corporation, working in a partnership with the Miller Companies, is calling for the building of a racino on the east side of Clovis.

Laguna Development is owned by the Pueblo of Laguna.
In order for either project to go forward, they would need both a racing license approval from the New Mexico Racing Commission, as well as a gaming license approval from the Gaming Control Board.

The other five operating racinos in New Mexico are located in Albuquerque, Farmington, Hobbs, Ruidoso, and Sunland Park.

A move by a Canadian developer in 2009 to open a racino in Raton failed, owing to a lack of financing.

By Garry Boulard