USBookmaking is a Nevada-based company that announced this week that they have signed a sports betting agreement with the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel to provide services starting next week. The new sports book will open at the tribal casino on October 16th.
Surprising Turn of Events:
It was surprising to hear that New Mexico will have sports betting as early as next week. The activity has been legalized in several states throughout the US after the United States Supreme Court decided to strike down the federal ban on sports betting. However, New Mexico had not indicated that sports betting would be coming soon.
No new legislation has been enacted, so how is the state getting started? In New Mexico, a tribal gaming compact signed between the tribes and the state, does not have any mention of sports betting specifically. However, the compact does mention Class III gaming based on the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and this section does cover sports betting.
According to Legal Sports Report…
President of USBookmaking, Vic Salemo, commented on the new sportsbook in a press release by stating: “We have found that there is tremendous demand for a Nevada-style retail sports book operation in a multitude of casinos throughout the US. We specialize in the ability to get to market quickly and operate efficiently.”
Retail Sportsbook:
It appears that the Santa Ana Star Casino will only be offering a retail sportsbook. The property opened twenty-five years ago and is home to a large selection of slot machines and some table games. The venue already operates well with their casino games and with the addition of a sports book, the venue should see even greater success.