ALBUQUERQUE, NM—NOVEMBER 12, 2018—Five groups are vying for a sixth "racino" license, the last allowed under a Tribal gaming compact, in the state of New Mexico.

Racinos in New Mexico are permitted to operate 600 slot machines – up to 750, if they purchase the machines from other casinos and the transaction is approved by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board – which could generate millions of dollars in revenue.

New Mexico's current five "racinos" include:

• The Downs at Albuquerque Racetrack and Casino
• Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino
• Ruidoso Downs and Billy the Kid Casino
• SunRay Park and Casino
• Zia Park Casino Hotel and Racetrack.

In 2008, a sixth "racino" license was awarded to a Canadian developer for a facility in Raton, however the project was never completed and the developer lost the license.

According to a consulting firm retained by two of the current bidders, revenue from slots from the "racinos" alone in the state of New Mexico could be as much as $46.4 million per year.

"It's no secret that the slot operations of the racino generate the majority of the revenue, not only for owners but also for (horse racing) purses and the state," said Izzy Trejo, executive director of the New Mexico Racing Commission, which oversees the licensing process. "But racing is at the forefront of this decision. We have to bring a certain balance to the industry. We have five tracks in (New Mexico) already, and that's a lot for one state."

Trejo said the commission may decide not to offer a license to any of the bidders. However, if it does, the decision will be made by Dec. 31, the last day of office for Gov. Susana Martinez, who appoints the commissioners.

Officials are scheduled to deliberate on the applications Thursday and Friday, preside over a public meeting on Nov. 28, and make a decision on Dec. 6.

The five bidders have settled on one of three locations: Clovis and Tucumcari, which should be a destination for residents of North Texas and Lordsburg, in the southwestern part of the state, which would capture traffic traveling between El Paso and Tucson.

The bidders include:

Clovis Racetrack and Casino

Location: Clovis, NM

Bidder: New Mexico-based Clovis Racetrack and Casino, whose members include former Ruidoso Downs President Shaun Hubbard and Hobbs businessman Johnny Cope.

Economics: $50 million project, 305 full-time jobs "with potentially hundreds more during racing season."

Details: Clovis Racetrack and Casino did not respond to multiple requests for comment. In the bid, the applicants described the theme of their project as "by horsemen, for horsemen." Among the proposals: a barn area with swipe card access, a building that showcases a saddling paddock, and a chapel.

"Every decision that has been made in developing this application and the plans for the new Clovis track have been viewed through a lens of how it fits the horsemen and the racing fan," the company wrote in the bid.

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Curry Downs Racetrack and Casino

Location: Clovis, NM

Bidder: L&M Entertainment LLC, a joint venture between the Laguna Pueblo-owned Laguna Development Corp. and Illinois-based Miller Companies.

Economics: $75 million project, 313 jobs, about 200 of them full-time.

Details: Curry Downs is the only proposed racino with a turf field, which L&M says is safer for horses and would draw more entrants because races on turf fields are rarer than those on dirt or synthetic fields. The company claims Laguna's record of success with Route 66 Casino and its other New Mexico businesses makes it an obvious choice for the license. L&M told officials it has committed $30 million in funds from its members to the new racino should its bid prevail.

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La Posada del Llano

Location: Clovis, NM

Bidder: Nevada-based FHR-Atlas LLC, whose sole member is Delaware corporation Full House Resorts

Economics: $200 million project, 1,571 jobs, about 90 percent of them full-time.

Details: Full House's bid gained national attention earlier this year when the company said it was planning to build the world's first moving grandstand if it won the license. Alex Stolyar, senior vice president and chief development officer for Full House, said the technology for such a vehicle is similar to that of a streetcar, and would include guardrails and various safety measures to protect horses and fans. The company's bid includes a comprehensive proposal for a four-star resort, water park and golf course in the first phase.

"Our proposal is three to four times the scope of anyone else's," Stolyar said. "If I lived in Clovis, I would want the proposal that created a lasting, destination resort that generated the most revenue for the state."

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Coronado Park Racetrack and Casino

La Posada del Llano

Location: Tucumcari, NM

Bidder: Coronado Partners LLC, whose members include New Mexico auto dealer Tom Krumland and Logan attorney Warren Frost.

Economics: $61.7 million project, 300 full-time jobs with 100 additional jobs during racing season.

Details: The bid describes a sand and clay racing surface, 804-seat clubhouse and 100-seat buffet, among other amenities. Krumland claims the site location is perfectly situated to capitalize on the traffic from Interstate 40, Route 66 and U.S. 54. The design plans include landscape buffers to create separation for the surrounding commercial and residential communities. Krumland says the people of Tucumcari have gone out of their way to express enthusiasm for the project.

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Hidalgo Downs

Location: Lordsburg, NM

Bidder: Hidalgo Downs LLC. Members include Washington attorney Francis Lame Bull and former New Mexico casino manager Denis Floge.

Economics: $75 million project, 300 direct full-time jobs.

Details: In addition to the racetrack, casino and eating establishments, the Hidalgo Downs bid includes a rodeo facility and a 135-room hotel with an indoor water slide. The company is also proposing a day care and a New Mexico Horse Racing and Rodeo Hall of Fame and Museum on-site.

"We want to create a family environment, and amenities that people will look forward to," Lame Bull said. "Those are the things that will help us stand out to the commission."