New Mexico Court Halts Western Gaming Bid to Relocate SunRay Park to Clovis

A New Mexico district court blocked Western Gaming’s plan to move SunRay Park and Casino from Farmington to Clovis after ruling the state Racing Commission lacked authority to approve the relocation.

District Court Judge Daniel E. Ramczyk determined the New Mexico Racing Commission (NMRC) exceeded its powers in granting the relocation licence earlier this year. San Juan County commissioners brought the suit, arguing state law contains no provision allowing transfer of an existing racing licence to a different location.

Western Gaming President Paul Blanchard said the company will appeal. Blanchard cited a 60 per cent revenue decline at the Farmington property in recent years.

The proposal had targeted a September 2027 opening for the Clovis casino, with live horse racing to begin the following spring. Clovis Mayor Mike Morris supported the move, stating the operator should be allowed to leave a struggling site.

The shift would alter racing date distribution statewide. SunRay Park has held an 18-day meet since 2019. An NMRC chairman noted the Clovis location could double racing days and substantially increase purse money.

As reported by Focus Gaming News, the decision leaves the project’s timeline uncertain pending appeal.

Regulatory Authority Boundaries

The ruling confines the NMRC to powers expressly granted by statute. Licence transfers require specific enabling language that the commissioners determined was absent here. This narrows the pathways available to operators seeking to exit underperforming venues through administrative approval alone.

Appeal and Market Consequences

Western Gaming’s appeal will clarify the scope of NMRC discretion over racing licences. A reversal could open Clovis as a second site and expand total racing days. An upheld decision would keep the operator at the Farmington location despite the documented revenue drop and local support for relocation.

Reporting: Focus Gaming News

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