Tucumcari, New Mexico, again is a candidate for a state license to establish a casino and horse-racing venue – also known as a racino — along Route 66.
The Eastern New Mexico News reports Clovis, New Mexico, and Tucumcari are in the running for the state’s last available license.
The newspaper reported:
Warren Frost represents the Quay County Gaming Authority, a group promoting a race track for the (Tucumcari) area for more than a decade. Frost’s group applied for a racino license in 2008, but lost out to Raton, although that project folded from lack of finances. The QCGA has since combined with the Tucumcari/Quay County Economic Development Corporation, also representing San Jon and Logan.
“(B)asically the last eight years, we’ve been hoping that the Racing Commission would make a determination to open this up again,” Frost said last week. “Now that they’ve done that we’re excited and ready to go.”
Quay County’s vision is for a racetrack and casino on a location by Interstate 40 and Route 66.
“The only place (another New Mexico) track makes sense is along the Texas border,” Frost said. “So we’re certainly optimistic. We think the only competition we’re going to have is Clovis.”
Clovis boasts several advantages. Its population is much bigger (39,000 to Tucumcari’s 4,900). Clovis sits only about 100 miles from two population centers in neighboring Texas — Amarillo and Lubbock.
But Tucumcari has its advantages, too. It sits on a major artery — Interstate 40 — while Clovis’ biggest highways are the much lesser-traveled U.S. 60 and U.S. 84. New Mexico also will feel pressure to choose a town that could use a racino’s financial boost. Tucumcari’s jobless rate is about 7 percent, while Clovis’ rate is 4.5 percent.
Finally, Tucumcari’s Route 66 location and history would provide all sorts of marketing opportunities that Clovis simply doesn’t have.
I’ve been skeptical before about how a racino would be an economic silver bullet for Tucumcari. Those reservations — the decline in the horse-racing industry, New Mexico’s terrible safety record in the sport, and the exaggerated economic claims about casinos — still apply. But if Clovis is Tucumcari’s best challenger for the license, its chances are probably no worse than 50/50.
The state is expected to award the gambling license before the end of the year.
(Image of horse racing The Downs in Albuquerque by Terri Hickox via Flickr)
Horse racing of the type mentioned here is not a “sport”. It is a gambling industry, using live animals instead of roulette wheels or packs of cards. Or will there be no betting on the horse races at the proposed track?
This type of sport is needed in our area. I know Amarillo, other surrounding towns & cities would be supportive. Born and raised in this area; having lived in Amarillo for 11 years worked as a Leasing Agent for a Commercial Developer of malls etc., out of Dallas; accommodating Mom & Pop shops beside Bobby Lee, owner of the “Big Texan” in Amarillo; their area population would support the Tucumcari Racino. Many already own lake homes and visit both Conchas & Ute lakes. I would say about 45% of visitors are Amarillo area visitors.
TUCUMCARI Racino would also be a great tourist attraction along w/ Route 66.