Laguna Development Corporation (LDC) announced May 20 a partnership with Caesars Entertainment, Inc. to open multiple in-person sportsbooks at three gaming properties in New Mexico.
In a press release, LDC stated in-person sports wagers are now accepted at newly opened Caesars Sportsbook locations at Route 66 Casino Hotel and Casino Xpress west of Albuquerque and Dancing Eagle Casino east of Grants.
Sports betting will be a new addition to Dancing Eagle Casino, the company’s smaller property.
“We are excited to partner with one of the world’s leading gaming companies to provide New Mexico sports fans a world-class wagering experience that connects our guests with sporting events around the country and the world,” Maxine Velasquez, president and CEO of LDC, said in the release.
Caesars looked to Laguna properties because their properties fell in line with the elevated type of experience the brand hopes to provide.
“LDC shares our passion for treating guests like royalty,” Eric Hession, president of Caesars Digital, said in the release. “We believe that bringing our first-class Caesars Sportsbook locations and sports betting kiosks to their historic properties will provide an elevated and rewarding sports wagering experience built for the modern sports fan 21 and older in New Mexico.”
Sportsbook betting first became legal in New Mexico in 2018, and Santa Ana Star Casino was the first casino in the state to offer sports betting. Current law states that sports wagers are legal on tribal lands as long as those placing the wager are physically on-site. There are no legal online sportsbooks active in the state.
There are currently six on-site sportsbooks at tribal casinos.
Route 66 Casino Hotel introduced sports wagering to the property in 2019. The Book has become a popular destination for sports bettors. Route 66 Casino Hotel General Manager Adrian Fox said that the casino plans to have additional upgrades to its restaurants and other hotel improvements in the next year.
Caesars Sportsbook currently features sports games from all over the world.