- Tribal leaders warn Texas-facing racino move threatens casino revenue and jobs
- SunRay Park seeks relocation near Clovis, citing steep revenue declines
- Regulators weigh economic development against market saturation and tribal impacts
A proposal to move a northern New Mexico racetrack casino to the eastern edge of the state is sparking a familiar fight in states bordering gamble-free Texas: who gets the Texas dollar?
The New Mexico Racing Commission is weighing an application to transfer the gaming license for SunRay Park & Casino, currently in Farmington in San Juan County, to a new site near Clovis in Curry County, closer to the border.
Commercial racinos already operate close to the Texas line, including Zia Park Casino Hotel & Racetrack in southeastern New Mexico and Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino near El Paso.
Critics of the proposal say adding another racino within easy driving distance of Texas risks oversaturating the market while increasing competition for the same pool of out-of-state gamblers.
Border Competition
New Mexico’s tribal operators have warned regulators that shifting the venue eastward would intercept Texas gamblers who currently drive deeper into the state. That would impact revenue that supports tribal programs and jobs, The Santa Fe New Mexican reports.
In an open letter to the New Mexico Racing Commission (NMRC), dated January 27, Harry Antonio Jr., Governor of the Pueblo of Laguna, wrote the proposal represented a “renewed threat” to the tribe’s economic stability.
Antonio claimed it was “a reckless attempt to expand private wealth at the expense of tribal governments that rely on gaming revenues to fund essential governmental services.”
New Mexico’s gaming landscape is split between tribal casinos operating under state compacts and state-regulated racinos tied to horse racing. This often creates friction whenever a new venue, or, in this case, a relocated one, is proposed in the economically advantageous border region.
Racino Perspective
In a recent statement to the Tri-City Record, SunRay president Paul Blanchard blamed the expansion of tribal gaming for an approximate 55% reduction in revenues at his racino. This has hindered its ability to compete effectively in the gaming market, he said.
Blanchard claims his plans for a 200-acre site east of Clovis, including a casino, hotel and racetrack facilities, would generate about $14 million a year in new state tax revenue.
In Farmington, local officials say the move will be an economic hit to New Mexico’s northwest corner, diminishing jobs and economic activity.
The NMRC is scheduled to conduct a special hearing on the issue on Friday, February 6, which will hear testimonies from stakeholders followed by public comment, with a final decision on the proposal expected the following Tuesday.
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