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Monday, February 08, 2010
Legislators Consider 4 Racing Bills
By Charles D. Brunt
Journal Staff Writer
Four horse racing-related bills, including a convoluted tax break for Ruidoso Downs and allowing wagers on televised dog races at racinos, are tracking their way through the state Legislature.
HB203, introduced by Rep. Thomas A. Garcia, D-Ocate, would allow voters in a local option election to increase gross receipts taxes as much as one-fourth of 1 percent. The local racetrack/casino could then claim a tax credit of up to half the gaming tax it owes, as long as it does not exceed the amount raised by the tax increase. As introduced, the bill would limit the total annual tax credit to $1 million.
Garcia introduced the bill after SB39, carried by Sen. Carlos R. Cisneros, D-Questa, was declared dead on arrival. SB39, essentially identical to bills that died in 2008 and 2009, would have given Ruidoso Downs/Billy the Kid Casino a direct cut in its gaming tax.
Cisneros has also introduced SB24, which would allow racino patrons to bet on live, televised dog races.
State law already allows betting on live televised horse races taking place in other locations.
A fiscal impact report on SB24 cautions that the state's casino-operating tribes could challenge the addition of wagering on dog racing as an expansion of gambling and a violation of their compacts with the state.
The New Mexico Horsemen's Association is backing HB274, a measure that would allow fans to bet on races from virtually anywhere.
Currently, state law requires bettors to place wagers only at a licensed racino.
The bill would allow patrons to set up an "advance deposit wagering account" at any of the state's racinos and place bets "from any location by any type of electronic transmission approved by the (state Racing) Commission." The bill specifies that a wager could not exceed the amount deposited into the wagering account.
The association is also pushing HB275, which would require racing license holders — except for the New Mexico State Fair — to host a minimum of 60 days of live racing per year.
Currently, the number of live race days is negotiated annually by track owners and the New Mexico Racing Commission.
Three of the state's five operating racinos — the Downs at Albuquerque, SunRay Park near Farmington and Zia Park in Hobbs — ran fewer than 60 days of live races this year.
HB274 and HB275 were introduced Wednesday by Rep. Andy Nuñez, D-Hatch.
Online
For more coverage of the Roundhouse, go to ABQjournal.com and click on Legislature 2010
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