New Mexico Gets Its Second Sportsbook

New Mexico launched a new sportsbook this Monday, which is the second sportsbook that was opened in this southwestern US state. This latest addition was introduced by the Pojoaque Pueblo tribe.

The first sportsbook was launched back in October of 2018, at the Santa Ana Star Casino hotel in Santa Ana Pueblo. It was the only sportsbook in the state up until now, so finally the local gambling market is getting much-needed competition.

The New Sportsbook

The Pojoaque Pueblo tribe manages the new sportsbook in partnership with the owners of Nationals Sports Book Management (NSBM) and South Point Hotel and Casino. The sportsbook is operated from the Hilton Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino in Santa Fe…

…which is the largest casino in Northern New Mexico and the first venue that offers wagers on both sports and races.

The co-founder of NSBM, John Gaughan, plans on providing a suite of solutions for sportsbook and pari-mutuel races via his other company – the Las Vegas Dissemination Company.

Lifting the Sports Betting Ban

New Mexico became the sixth US state that legalized sports betting after the US Supreme Court reversed PASPA (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) in May of 2018.

The Court lifted the sports betting ban that had been in effect since 1992 and finally allowed each state to vote if they want to introduce sports betting under their jurisdiction.

It is interesting that NM doesn’t have the official bill that thoroughly defines legalized sports betting, although it is in the plans for the future.

The lawmakers from this southwestern state have only made a deal with the tribes and gave them the opportunity to launch sports betting on their own.

“Sports betting at the Santa Ana Star Casino is governed by the Pueblo of Santa Ana Gaming Regulatory Commission. As such, we will closely monitor New Mexico’s tribal gaming compacts and work with the legislature for proper statutory and regulatory oversight to require responsible gaming and enhanced integrity to create an even playing field for all,” New Mexico Attorney General spokesman, David Carl, commented.

Competition is On

Since two state tribes have jumped on the sports betting bandwagon, it is expected that more tribes will show their interest in doing the same. Currently, there are 23 Indian tribes in the state of New Mexico…

…and 14 of them have casinos under their ownership.

Sports Betting in the Neighboring States

Their neighbors from the state of Arizona are also on the road to legalizing sports betting since their Senate Bill 1163 got a 6 to 3 vote of confidence by Arizona State Senate’s Appropriation Committee this month.

The plan is to also allow state tribes to operate kiosk-based sports betting venues, by partnering up with bars and organizations that have the license to serve alcohol. But, the tribes will also be permitted to operate a sportsbook inside their casinos.

On the other hand, the biggest tribe in the state, Navajo, has formed a resistance against the measure. Vice-chairman of Yavapai-Apache Nation explains that even though his tribe s legal sports betting in Arizona as such, “Senate Bill 1163 is not the appropriate mechanism for such legislation.”

Source:

“New Mexico gets its second sportsbook”, Erik Gibbs, calvinayre.com, March 13, 2019.