The Pueblo of Laguna wants to open a commercial race track and gaming facility in New Mexico.
Curry Downs is to be located near Clovis, near the state border with Texas. It would be operated as a joint venture of Laguna Development Corporation, the tribe's economic arm, and an outside company. "We believe our collaboration can result in an exciting new enterprise, significant construction and long-term good-paying careers in the hospitality and horse racing industries that will benefit citizens in the City of Clovis, Curry County and New Mexico," Kevin Greer, the chief operating officer of Laguna Development Corporation and Rob Miller, the founder and chief executive officer at Miller Companies, said in a May 7 statement. As a commercial gaming facility, the venture would need approval from the New Mexico Racing Commission but an application has yet to be submitted, The Albuquerque Journal reported. There's at least one competing proposal for the license, the paper said. The license is for the sixth racino in the state. The tribe previously competed for a facility in Albuquerque, the most populous city, but lost out in what was seen at the time as a politically-charged decision. More recently, the tribe sought to buy a commercial casino in Louisiana but withdrew from the process after state regulators there wanted background checks of tribal leaders, The Journal reported. Read More on the Story: