Gamblers are spending less at New Mexico slots

Collectively, the state’s tribal casinos, racinos and nonprofits posted $984.7 million in net win last year, or about $25.8 million less than in 2013. They paid the state $130.2 million – a 1 percent decrease from the previous year.

“Net win” – the amount wagered on slot machines minus payouts and approved regulatory fees – is a key indicator of overall gambling activity.

Last year marks the second consecutive year in which gamblers spent less playing the slots.

Although New Mexico’s 14 gambling tribes report their revenues quarterly to the Gaming Control Board, they are not required to make those figures public. The Gaming Control Board does, however, report net win figures. Revenues from non-slot gambling, such as table games, are not included in net win calculations because the state receives no revenue from them.

Slots activity at the state’s tribal casinos and travel centers fell 3.6 percent from the previous year, according to Gaming Control Board records, and subsequent gambling taxes paid to the state decreased 3.1 percent from 2013. Still, tribal gaming put about $66.4 million into state coffers. Tribal casinos pay the state from 2 percent to 10.75 percent of their net win to the state, depending on the terms of their gaming compacts.

Total net win at the state’s five racinos – The Downs at Albuquerque/Casino at the Downs; Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino; Ruidoso Downs/Billy the Kid Casino; SunRay Park and Casino, east of Farmington; and Zia Park/Black Gold Casino in Hobbs – increased by 0.6 percent last calendar year, but the amount they paid the state increased by 1.3 percent to just more than $62.7 million. Racinos pay 26 percent of their net win to the state.

The total net win of the state’s gambling nonprofits fell 1 percent last year to about $10.4 million, according to Gaming Control Board records.

Licensed nonprofits and fraternal organizations, which can operate up to 15 slot machines, pay the state 10 percent of their net win.