New Mexico § 60-2E-27 - Gaming operator licensees; special conditions for racetracks; number of gaming machines; days and hours of operations

§ 60-2E-27. Gaming operator licensees; special conditions for racetracks; number of gaming machines; days and hours of operations

A. A racetrack licensed by the state racing commission pursuant to the Horse Racing

Act to conduct live horse races or simulcast races may be issued a gaming operator's

license to operate gaming machines on its premises where live racing is conducted. B. A racetrack's gaming operator's license shall automatically become void if: (1) the racetrack no longer holds an active license to conduct pari-mutuel wagering; (2) the racetrack paid gaming tax to the state on its net take in an amount greater

than eight million dollars ($8,000,000) in the prior fiscal year pursuant to Section 60-2E-47 NMSA 1978 and fails to maintain a minimum of four live race days a week with at least nine

live races on each race day during its licensed race meet, except as provided in Subsection

F of this section; or (3) the racetrack paid gaming tax to the state on its net take in an amount equal

to eight million dollars ($8,000,000) or less in the prior fiscal year pursuant to Section 60-2E-47 NMSA 1978 and fails to maintain a minimum of three live race days a week with at least ten

live races on each day during its licensed race meets, except as provided in Subsection

F of this section. C. Unless a larger number is allowed pursuant to Subsection D of this section, a gaming

operator licensee that is a racetrack may have up to six hundred licensed gaming machines. D. By execution of an allocation agreement, signed by both the allocating racetrack

and the racetrack to which the allocation is made, a gaming operator licensee that

is a racetrack may allocate any number of its authorized gaming machines to another

gaming operator licensee that is a racetrack. To be valid, the allocation agreement must bear the written approval of the board

and the state racing commission, and this approval shall make specific reference to

the meeting at which the action of approval was taken and the number of votes cast

both for and against the approval. By allocating a number of its authorized machines to another racetrack, the allocating

racetrack automatically surrenders all rights to operate the number of machines allocated. No racetrack shall operate or be authorized to operate more than seven hundred fifty

gaming machines. E. Gaming machines on a racetrack gaming operator licensee's premises may be played

only on days when the racetrack is either conducting live horse races or simulcasting

horse race meets. On days when gaming machines are permitted to be operated, a racetrack gaming operator

licensee may offer gaming machines for operation for up to eighteen hours per day;

provided that the total number of hours in which gaming machines are operated does

not exceed one hundred twelve hours in a one-week period beginning on Tuesday at 8:00

a.m. and ending at 8:00 a.m. on the following Tuesday. A racetrack gaming operator licensee may offer gaming machines for play at any time

during a day; provided that the total hours of operation in each day from just after

midnight of the previous day until midnight of the current day does not exceed eighteen

hours. A racetrack gaming operator licensee shall determine, within the limitations imposed

by this subsection, the hours it will offer gaming machines for operation each day

and shall notify the board in writing of those hours. F. Maintaining fewer live race days or fewer live races on each race day during a

licensed race meet does not constitute a failure to maintain the minimum number of

live race days or races as required by Paragraphs (2) and (3) of Subsection B of this

section if the licensee submits to the board written approval by the state racing

commission for the licensee to vary the minimum number of live race days or races,

and the variance is due to: (1) the inability of a racetrack gaming operator licensee to fill races as published

in the licensee's condition book as long as the same type of canceled race is run

within the following two race weeks as the race season permits; (2) severe weather or other act, event or occurrence resulting from natural forces; (3) a strike or work stoppage by jockeys or other persons necessary to conduct a race

or meet; (4) a power outage, electrical failure or failure or unavailability of any equipment

or supplies necessary to conduct a race or meet; (5) hazardous conditions or other threats to the public health or safety; or (6) any other act, event or occurrence that the board finds is not within the control

of the licensee even with the exercise of reasonable diligence or care. G. Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold, served, delivered or consumed in the area

restricted pursuant to Subsection F of Section 60-2E-26 NMSA 1978 .