The second sports betting operation has been offered in New Mexico by Pojoaque Pueblo’s Buffalo Thunder Casino and Resort, which offers the service at what had been its race betting venue. It opens just in time to take wagers during March Madness.
The first sports book operation in the state was at Santa Ana Pueblo’s Santa Ana Star Casino in October, which followed the lifting of the federal ban by the U.S. Supreme.
Buffalo Thunder will be offering the games in partnership with Las Vegas Dissemination Co., South Point Hotel and Casino and National Sports Book Management.
According to Gaming Today, the Buffalo Thunder is the only location outside of Nevada to have sports book and racing kiosks in one spot.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has said that it considers that the existing New Mexico tribal state gaming compacts allow sports betting. However the State Attorney General’s Office said in October that a change in existing compact is required first. “Sports betting at the Santa Ana Star Casino is governed by the Pueblo of Santa Ana Gaming Regulatory Commission,” said AG spokesman David Carl. “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.”
And another New Mexico tribe has ambitious sports betting plans as well.
The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise says it plans for its New Mexico casinos to offer sports betting in time for the fall season of football and the World Series as well as college games. Its Two Arrows casino in Arizona will offer sports book a year later.
The sports book will be offered in New Mexico once the tribal state gaming compacts are amended said CEO Brian Parish.
Arizona is more complicated because of a dispute with other tribes in that state over legislation that would allow sports betting not only a tribal casinos, but also for machines owned by the tribes, but not located on the reservation.
