U.S. Supreme Court OKs sports gambling; will Texas & New Mexico move for legalization?

Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states should be allowed to sponsor sports gambling.

The ruling reversed a law established in 1992 that prohibited most states from betting on sports.

The Supreme Court’s decision gives states the power to decide for themselves and it could impact the Borderland if Texas or New Mexico lawmakers decide to legalize sports gambling.

ABC-7 spoke with New Mexico State Representative, Bill McCamley (D), about the possibility of legalizing sports betting in New Mexico.

McCamley said that while he does see the benefits and the added tax revenue it could bring to New Mexico, more discussion is needed between lawmakers.

“Obviously it’s going to be something that many people in New Mexico want to do, it’s something that they do already,” McCamley said. “But we need to talk about all the possible negative consequences of it and we need to have a conversation of how it will be done before we move forward with anything.”

ABC-7 also reached to Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.

Spokesman Ethan Linder told us that Sunland Park has been following the case for the past few months.

In statement to ABC-7, Linder said, “We need to work closely with our legislators and regulators to better understand their vision for the state and the potential impacts of legalizing sports wagering.
We are excited by the possibilities.”

In Texas, the idea of legalizing sports gambling is a tougher sell.

Texas Governor Gregg Abbott has shown little interest in sports betting and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2016 issued an opinion that deemed paid fantasy sports websites to be illegal gambling.