Gaming Board Shuts Down Ruidoso Track; Businesses Expect 35-40% Revenue Drop

New Mexico facility faces prolonged closure due to flood damage; Ruidoso prepares for significant economic downturn

RUIDOSO DOWNS, N.M. — The New Mexico Gaming Control Board unanimously approved the suspension of Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino operations this week, marking the third consecutive summer the facility has been forced to close due to flood damage from last year’s Salt and South Fork fires.

Heavy flooding left the culvert at the track’s main entrance badly damaged, prompting the New Mexico Department of Transportation to recommend suspending all casino and race simulcast operations for safety reasons.

The track adds $160-180 million a year in revenue to the region’s economy, making this closure a critical blow to the area. The timing is particularly damaging, hitting during peak summer weekends when regular patrons typically stay multiple weeks enjoying the racing events and contributing directly to local hospitality businesses.

“That is a real big jewel in the crown that is Ruidoso so we have to get them back,” said Lynn Crawford, Mayor of the Village of Ruidoso, adding that the impact extends beyond just the track itself. “A lot of those folks that come in for the track to go to the races every weekend, that stay here for 3 or 4 weeks out of the year, people that work at the track. We’re really feeling it big time.”

Partial Operations and Recovery Efforts

The facility will continue to host its quarter horse and thoroughbred sales, as well as the All American Select sale, at the sales pavilion. The track previously moved its horse racing schedule to Albuquerque to maintain some operations despite the closure.

To combat the economic downturn, the Mescalero Apache Tribe is leveraging its portfolio of regional enterprises. The tribe operates Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, Ski Apache, and Casino Apache Travel Center, providing alternative attractions to keep visitors in the region during the track’s closure.

The 273-room Inn of the Mountain Gods offers live music, horseback riding, golf, big game hunting, fishing and kayak rentals, along with a 38,000 square-foot casino featuring Las Vegas-style gaming. During summer, Ski Apache operates the Apache Arrow high-speed gondola to the Sierra Blanca summit and rents mountain bikes and disc golf equipment.

The tribe also operates the 50,000-square-foot Casino Apache Travel Center on U.S. 70, featuring a convenience store, restaurant, smoke shop, gas station and truck stop services, positioning these businesses as economic lifelines during the extended closure.

Looking Forward

Mayor Crawford expressed confidence that the track would eventually reopen once mitigation efforts are complete. “Crawford said that they’re confident the track will reopen once mitigation efforts are complete,” according to recent statements.

In the meantime, the community is relying on diversified tourism attractions, including Ruidoso’s unique shops, dining establishments, and outdoor recreation opportunities, combined with the Mescalero Apache Tribe’s resort and entertainment enterprises to weather the economic storm.

For residents and business owners who have already endured three years of track closures, the path to full recovery remains uncertain. The region’s economic resilience will depend on the pace of infrastructure repairs and the ability of alternative attractions to maintain visitor interest during this extended closure period.

More News from Alamogordo

• New Mexico Claims Federal Government Broke 2019 Epstein Investigation Agreement Epstein investigations in New Mexico ongoing…
• Alamogordo Police Department Reports Varied Criminal Activity During July 13-19 Featured are presumed innocent until found guilty in court