With legislators weighing new gambling agreements between the state and a group of Indian tribes, racetracks want to get in on the action.

Two lawmakers are pushing a bill they say is aimed at giving racetrack casinos the same latitude that tribal casinos would get if their proposed compact were approved by the Legislature.

That includes being able to extend credit to gamblers and offer them free food and lodging.

“We want to do whatever we can do to assist the tracks,” said Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose, whose district stretches south to Ruidoso, where Ruidoso Downs is located.

Griego and Sen. John Ryan, R-Albuquerque, pressed Indian leaders at a legislative meeting on the compact last week to support the track bill.

Read more here: http://www.abqjournal.com/550638/news/bill-would-boost-racetrack-casinos.html