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Casino is a Boon to New Mexico Track30 January 2001NEW MEXICO -- Jan. 30, 2001 --As reported by the El Paso Times: "The two-year marriage of horse racing and electronic slot machines has not only pulled Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino out of an economic rut but also played a role in commercial expansion along El Paso's Sunland Park Drive. "Since the casino opened at the horse track in February 1999, more than 200 new jobs were created, attendance is up, wagering is up, prizes to owners of winning horses have increased, and the state of New Mexico has received more than $15.3 million in gaming taxes, track officials said. "...Harold Payne, the track's general manager, said Sunland Park added attractions to bring in younger customers who may have found horse racing dull. "...Also, bigger purses in the horse-racing operation mean better-quality horses at the track, he said. "...The track could help woo the sports-arena project rejected by El Paso's City Council last year, and it could be a catalyst for an extension of Sunland Park Drive that would steer track traffic into the city of Sunland Park, said Ruben Segura, the city's mayor..." |