New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII,
Issue 18 / September 22, 2026
NOTICE
OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
The Gaming Control
Board hereby gives notice that the Board, at a Regular Board Meeting open to the
public on August 27, 2026, during the open session, approved the initiation of
rulemaking regarding the rules listed below.
The Rules Hearing
will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, beginning at 9:00 am at the Gaming
Control Board, 4900 Alameda Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113. Interested individuals may also attend via
Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88312735219?pwd=X2ypeRvstT51cIXoBROv7vJEe3XaAi.1
Meeting ID: 883
1273 5219
Passcode: 8XmRr3
To Join
Telephonically:
Phone Number:
1-253-205-0468
|
Meeting ID: 883 1273 5219 |
|
Passcode: 051661 Join instructions |
The public comment
period for this rulemaking continues through to the upcoming November 4, 2026, Hearing
date.
15.4.1.7 NMAC -
DEFINITIONS:
Purpose: Add definition of “Primary Executive” and
amend the definition of “Point of sale system.”
Summary: Adding a
definition for Primary Executive is to support the change in rule requiring the
owners and primary executives of Bingo Manufacturers and Distributors to be
licensed and will also support the establishment of a Primary Staff
Permit. Amending the definition of the
point of sale system is done to allow patrons time after closing to cash out
their TITO tickets on the same day they are won as required by rule.
15.4.2.9 NMAC - LICENSE
CLASSIFICATIONS:
Purpose: Amending to add subsection C to add “Bingo,
Pull-Tab Halls” which will prohibit any person or entity licensed with by the
board from acting as a lessor to a non-profit bingo operator and requiring that
lease or contract agreements shall be approved or disapproved by the Board.
Summary: Allows licensed bingo operators to lease
facilities to hold games of chance. Prohibits
lessors from attempting to interfere or exert control in bingo operators
operations and protects against a licensee attempting to participate in a
revenue sharing scheme which is prohibited by law.
15.4.2.12 NMAC– APPLICATION
FOR STAFF PERMIT:
Purpose: Amending to
add subsection H to allow for a provisional staff permit. Giving a staff permit or primary staff permit
applicant time so that an applicant can begin training and working while their
application is being processed.
Summary: This will prevent nonprofit bingo operators
from having to shut down while a staff permit or primary staff permit
application is pending. The loss of
certain personnel can cause a bingo operator to close.
15.4.2.13 NMAC–
APPLICATION FOR MANUFACTURER’S AND DISTRIBUTOR’S PRIMARY EXECUTIVES AND
OWNERSHIP, PRIMARY STAFF PERMIT:
Purpose: Amend to
add rule requiring the licensing of the ownership of manufacturers and
distributors.
Summary: Manufacturer and Distributor ownership and
decision makers, in the past have
not been required to license in the state.
With the growth in nonprofit charitable gaming
it’s necessary to replicate this from the gaming side. Substantial increase in revenue especially
justifies this.
15.4.11.9 NMAC–
VARIANCE PROCEDURES:
Purpose: Amend this subpart to allow all current and
valid licensees the ability to submit a variance request to a rule.
Summary: Currently, the rule only permits a bingo
manager to submit a variance request.
Again, the growth in nonprofit gaming has indicated the need for other
valid licensees to be able to do this.
Authority: Section 60-2F-3 NMSA 1978 and Section 60-2E-7
NMSA 1978.
Details for
Obtaining a Copy of Rule and Submitting Oral or Written Comments:
Copies of the
proposed rules are available on the Gaming Control Board’s website at https://www.gcb.nm.gov/rulemaking/
or can be obtained by emailing GCB-PIO@gcb.nm.gov. The proposed rules are also available on the
New Mexico Sunshine Portal. Interested
individuals may provide comments at the hearing scheduled for November 4, 2026,
9am to 1pm. Before the hearing, written
comments may be sent to GCB-PIO@gcb.nm.gov, or by regular
mail at:
Attn: Angela M. Armstrong, Staff Counsel
Proposed Bingo Rulemaking
New Mexico Gaming
Control Board
4900 Alameda Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
The deadline to
receive written comment is Tuesday November 3, 2026. All written public comments received by USPS
mail or email, will be posted on the website throughout the written comment
period at:
https://www.gcb.nm.gov/new-mexico-gaming-control-board-legal-resources/#Rulemaking.
Any person with a
disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter,
or auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing should
contact (505) 841-9700.