Members of the New Mexico Racing Commission are expected to announce on December 6 which proposal for a new racino has received their backing.
After months of speculation, five companies have transmitted proposals to the commission, hoping to win the right to build what will be the sixth combined track and casino within New Mexico’s borders.
By law, those casinos will be allowed to operate at least 600 slot machines.
The new proposed racinos would be located in parts of New Mexico currently without such recreation: Clovis and Tucumcari on the east side of the state, and Lordsburg in the southwest.
The project candidates include the Clovis Racetrack and Casino; L&M Entertainment, a joint venture of the Laguna Development Corporation; and FHR-Atlas, owned by the Las Vegas, Nevada-based Full House Resorts.
Clovis Racetrack and Casino, L&M Entertainment, and FHR-Atlas, all want to build the racino in Clovis.
Coronado Partners wants to build a new racino in Tucumcari; while Hidalgo Downs is hoping to do the same in Lordsburg.
The five current operating racinos are in Albuquerque, Farmington, Hobbs, Ruidoso, and Sunland Park.
By Garry Boulard
