Five groups vie for state’s final racino license

Various locations, designs envisioned by competitors

The field is set: Five groups have submitted applications for the state’s sixth and last racino license.

New Mexico Racing Commission Executive Director Izzy Trejo told The Eastern New Mexico News that 11 groups had submitted letters of intent but only five had submitted applications by last week’s deadline. Those five are:

Logan’s Coronado Partners LLC, which hopes to attract customers from Texas and along Interstate 40 in Tucumcari.

Hidalgo Downs LLC, out of Las Cruces, for a venue in Lordsburg.

Clovis Racetrack and Casino LLC, headed by Shaun Hubbard who was formerly affiliated with Ruidoso Downs.

L&M Entertainment, which has been promoting Curry Downs Racetrack and Casino since May.

And Full House Resorts, which announced Monday its plans for a track in Clovis that includes a luxury hotel, 18-hole golf course, water park and “other amenities” including a moving grandstand that would travel at the same speed as the racehorses, circling the track.

The state announced in May that it was accepting bids for a new racetrack. New Mexico now has racinos in Farmington, Albuquerque, Hobbs, Ruidoso Downs and Sunland Park.

The state’s agreements with American Indian tribes with casinos provide for a maximum of six racinos. In exchange for limiting off-reservation gambling, the state gets a share of the tribes’ take from their slot machines.

The New Mexico Racing Commission will meet at the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack on Thursday to formally announce the applications.