On Monday, William Hill announced a partnership with the Mescalero Apache Tribe for sports betting in New Mexico.
Under the partnership, William Hill will power the sportsbook at the tribal casino when it launches this summer at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino in New Mexico.
This partnership marks William Hill’s first sportsbook in the state of New Mexico and the first-ever partnership between a tribe and William Hill outside of Nevada.
Frizzell Frizzell Jr., Chief Operating Officer at Inn of the Mountain Gods said: “Over the years, our customers have come to expect a high level of service and the best casino offerings possible. Our sportsbook will be no exception.
“Together with William Hill, we will offer state-of-the-art betting technology, and innovative wagering opportunities including in-play options. We know this is something our customers have been looking forward to and we’re thrilled to be able to partner with the best in the business to bring it to them.”
According to a press statement, William Hill will power the sportsbook using its “risk management and proprietary technology.”
David Grolman, President of Retail for William Hill US said: “Working with the Mescalero Apache Tribe and the National Indian Gaming Commission on this partnership agreement was important to us.
“Inn of the Mountain Gods is one of the premier resorts and casinos in the southwest and together we plan to bring a first-class experience to sports fans in the region.”
What will the casino’s sportsbook look like?
The sportsbook is set to open before the start of the football season and will be located between the Big Game Sports Bar and the Apache Spirit Club.
Patrons will be able to place a variety of pre-game and in-play wagers using William Hill’s betting kiosks.
The new betting space will also feature 12 43-inch televisions and high-stop seating.
Sports betting in New Mexico
Although the state of New Mexico has yet to legalize sports betting, the state’s tribes are able to offer sports betting under their legally binding gaming compacts with the state.
The compacts between the tribes and state of New Mexico allow the tribes to offer all forms of Class III gambling. This includes any form of non-traditional gambling (Class I) or a game of Chance (Class II). Sports betting is considered a Class III gambling activity.
Currently, three of the 17 tribes that reside in New Mexico have taken steps towards launching a sports betting service.
The Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, which is owned by the Tamaya Nation, was the first tribal gambling venue to begin taking sports wagers in New Mexico. The tribe launched its sports betting operations in October 2018 after partnering with USBookmaking.
In March, The Hilton Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino in Santa Fe became the second tribal venue to launch a sportsbook in the Land of Enchantment.
Towards the end of April, the Isleta Resort and Casino near Albuquerque announced plans to launch a sportsbook later this year. When it goes live, this venue’s sportsbook will be powered by USBookmaking, the same company behind the sportsbook at the Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel.
Elsewhere in the US, Parx Casino in Pennsylvania has begun live testing of its online and mobile sportsbook.
