RELATING TO GAMING; INCREASING THE HOURS OF OPERATION ON CERTAIN RACE TRACK GAMING OPERATOR LICENSEES' PREMISES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 60-2E-27 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1997, Chapter 190, Section 29) is amended to read:

"60-2E-27. GAMING OPERATOR LICENSEES--SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR RACETRACKS--NUMBER OF GAMING MACHINES--DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATIONS.--

A. A racetrack licensed by the state racing commission pursuant to the Horse Racing Act to conduct live horse races or simulcast races may be issued a gaming operator's license to operate gaming machines on its premises where live racing is conducted.

B. A racetrack's gaming operator's license shall automatically become void if:

(1) the racetrack no longer holds an active license to conduct pari-mutuel wagering; or

(2) the racetrack fails to maintain a minimum of three live race days a week with at least nine live races on each race day during its licensed race meet in the 1997 calendar year and in the 1998 and subsequent calendar years, four live race days a week with at least nine live races on each race day during its licensed race meet.

C. A gaming operator licensee that is a racetrack may have up to three hundred licensed gaming machines, but the number of gaming machines to be located on the licensee's premises shall be specified in the gaming operator's license.

D. Gaming machines on a racetrack gaming operator licensee's premises may be played only on days when the racetrack is either conducting live horse races or simulcasting horse race meets. A gaming operator licensee that is a racetrack shall be permitted to conduct such games on only the aforementioned days for a daily period not to exceed twelve hours at the discretion of such licensee.

E. Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold, served, delivered or consumed in the area restricted pursuant to Subsection F of Section 60-2E-26 NMSA 1978."