New Mexico tribal casino to launch sports betting next week

Another day, another laundry list of US sports betting deal-making to review, so let’s get at it.

On Monday, around the same time that the MGM-GVC joint venture was announcing a tribal sports betting deal in California, the Nevada-based USBookmaking announced a deal to provide “sports betting risk services” at the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, which was founded by the Pueblo of Santa Ana tribe.

Like California, New Mexico has yet to formally authorize legal wagering within its borders. However, USBookmaking says the new casino sportsbook will open on October 16, apparently based on the Pueblo of Santa Ana Gaming Commission’s assertion that wagering is covered under the Class III provisions in the tribe’s gaming compact with the state.

New Mexico’s state government has yet to affirm that assertion, and the tribe appears to be hedging its bet by limiting itself to on-site retail wagering, at least for the time being. Regardless, the casino, which serves the Albuquerque market, will undoubtedly do a brisk business should the state decline to intervene.