By Laura Nesbitt
Mountain View Telegraph
The final flag for the Downs at Albuquerque to move to Moriarty has still not dropped.
Both pueblos of Acoma and Laguna have submitted written comments regarding why the Downs should not be allowed to relocate its racetrack and casino.
“I've not had a chance to look at them,” said attorney Chris Coppin, who is representing the New Mexico Racing Commission.
“It's possible that the commission might look at the comments and then make a decision that would” revert their earlier decision, but first commissioners need to analyze the documents, Coppin said.
In May, commissioners voted unanimously to allow the Downs to transfer the location of its racetrack and casino to Moriarty.
They also gave the pueblos of Acoma and Laguna until June 27 to submit written comments regarding any ineligibility of the Downs to make the change of venue.
The pueblos have opposed moving the Downs, contending in part that it would add competition for their casinos.
Roland Johnson, Laguna representative, has said the relocation could potentially cost the pueblo revenues of approximately $13.1 million.
He has said the commission should include the Downs transfer to Moriarty with all other pending applications for new racetracks.
According to Racing Commission documents, Acoma has contended that the transfer of the Downs casino would be a violation of the exclusivity provisions of the state's 2001 compact with gaming pueblos regarding revenue sharing. That compact restricts how many new casinos can be built.
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