New Mexico Gaming Control Board Divisions
The Divisions
Administrative Services Division
The agency budget, financial management, and contractual obligations are overseen by the Gaming Control Board’s Administrative Services Division (ASD).
ASD prepares and submits the annual budget request by the statutory deadline to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for their review and recommendations during the legislative session. Once approved by DFA and LFC, ASD then prepares and submits the operating budget to DFA and LFC by the statutory deadline. ASD oversees and manages the budget, closes out each fiscal year ending June 30, manages the procurement process, and oversees the agency’s annual audit.
ASD manages the procurement process for agency requests by preparing all requisitions and purchase orders. All contracts and lease agreements are prepared and maintained by ASD with the exception of Information Technology (IT) contracts, which are only maintained by ASD. The ASD staff also provides in-house customer service to the Gaming Control Board staff in matters such as travel reimbursement and supply requests.
ASD oversees the accounts receivable, accounts payable, fixed assets, supplies, inventory, agency vehicle fleet, and other accounts that keep the Board running smoothly. The majority of the revenue generated under accounts receivable is from licensing fees, investigative or audit fees, which are submitted by licensed operators or applicants applying for licensure for both gaming, bingo, and raffle. To ensure consistency in ASD’s daily operations, budget and financial functions are monitored closely.
Contact Information
Cynthia Ortega-Armijo – Director/CFO, 505-841-9700
Administrative Services Fax – 505-841-9725
Audit and Compliance Division
The Audit and Compliance Division continues to develop and adapt procedures to ensure licensees are in compliance with all applicable gaming regulations; to ensure licensee assets are safeguarded; AND TO preserve the integrity of gaming at all licensed venues in the State.
Staffed with qualified individuals with specialized knowledge of the gaming industry, many of whom hold advanced degrees and the specialized certification of Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), the Audit Division verifies gaming licensees’ compliance with the Gaming Control Act, Board Rules, and Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS).
In addition to compliance reviews completed twice per year for all nonprofit and racetrack gaming operator licensees, the auditors perform inspections of all Bingo and Raffle licensees through field visits, examining quarterly reports and providing training for new licensees and their staffs, as well as, perform analysis of financial statements for all racetrack, manufacturer, and distributor licensee applicants to assess financial condition.
The Division also assists the Office of the State Gaming Representative in the review and verification of the state’s tribal gaming venues’ revenue sharing calculations, problem gambling contributions, and other financial obligations outlined in the State Compacts.
Background and Licensing
The Licensing Division is responsible for reviewing all applications submitted by entities and individuals seeking licensure under the Gaming Control Act and Bingo and Raffle Act in the state of New Mexico.
Licensing staff conducts a background check on each applicant to verify that the information contained in the application and supplemental information gathered by the division is accurate. Gaming applications are processed and reviewed for presentation to the Board for approval or denial. Bingo and Raffle applications are reviewed and approved or denied by the Licensing Division. The burden is on the applicant to prove qualification to hold a license, permit or certification.
The Licensing division acts as a liaison with licensees to ensure compliance with the Gaming Control Act and Bingo and Raffle Act after licensure. Organizations and individuals licensed in New Mexico must be held in good standing with their parent organizations and with the state of New Mexico.
Contact Information
Robert Zajac – Director 505-221-7551
Main Office Line – 505-841-9700
Background & Licensing Fax – 505-841-9725
Contact Information
Terry McGaha – Commander, 505-401-0425
Enforcement & Investigations Fax – 505-841-9725
Enforcement Division
The mission of the Gaming Control Board (GCB) Enforcement Division is to ensure honesty and integrity in the New Mexico gaming industry by protecting the public interest in promoting a legitimate gaming industry that is free of corrupt and dishonest practices. GCB Special Agents provide specialized investigative support to minimize criminal involvement and ensure public confidence and trust in New Mexico’s gaming industry.
The Division is comprised of certified law enforcement Special Agents with statewide authority and jurisdiction. GCB Special Agents investigate and enforce the New Mexico Gaming Control Act, New Mexico Bingo and Raffle Act, associated regulations, and New Mexico criminal statutes.
Special Agents monitor gaming activity in the State by:
Implementing routine inspections of gambling operations;
- Targeting non-compliant gambling establishments;
- Investigating suspected violations of the Gaming Control Act, Bingo/Raffle Act, and other gambling or criminal statutes;
- Safeguarding against embezzlement of gambling establishment’s profits and money laundering;
- Investigating complaints and disputes lodged against licensees or other persons;
- Coordinating multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations involving gambling establishments with local, state, and federal agencies;
- Examining the integrity and legality of gaming devices and equipment;
- Regulating the transportation and shipment of gaming machines, other gaming devices, software, and other media within the State; and
- Processing patron exclusions from gaming facilities.
General Counsel
The Office of General Counsel (OGC), consists of the general counsel, two staff attorneys, and two staff members.
The OGC represents the Gaming Control Board in all legal matters, including tribal gaming issues, administrative proceedings relating to licensures, revocations, exclusions, administrative appeals, Board rules, enforcement of the Gaming Control Act, Bingo and Raffle Act, prosecution of civil violations, and other gaming-related activities.
In addition, the OGC provides advice to the Board on all legal and policy-making matters presented to it for consideration or decision. The Office of General Counsel facilitates the Board’s monthly meetings, special Board meetings, and working sessions. The OGC also ensures the Board’s continued compliance with the Open Meetings Act and the Inspection of Public Records Act.
Contact Information
Vacant – General Counsel
Michelle Pato– Lead Attorney, 505-331-5734
Office of General Counsel Fax – 505-841-9725
Contact Information
Miguel Lujan– CIO, 505-377-4697
Operations Hotline- 505-379-3914
Information Systems Fax – 505-841-9725
Information Systems Division
The Information Systems Division (ISD) is the Information Systems provider for the Gaming Control Board.
The division’s mission is two-fold; first is maintaining and supporting the agency’s computer systems, network-telecommunications infrastructure, and the office automation application needs of the Board, and provide the focus for the development of IS strategies and policies for the Board.
Secondly, is to manage the statutorily required Gaming Central Monitoring System. The Legislature, enacting Article 2E, the Gaming Control Act, specified the provisions in section 60-2E-43, requiring a central system, developed and run by the State at its own expense. Because of age, technology, and/or vendor support issues, the agency’s existing gaming central monitoring system was in need of replacement. These systems are critical due to the statutory nature of gaming regulation and technology utilized by the gaming control board.
Operations Division
Operations is responsible for the monitoring, verification, and management of the gaming machines and software at non-tribal gaming venues in the State of New Mexico. This is accomplished by utilizing modern tools that include IRIS (Integrated Regulatory Information System), Kobetron, and the NMGCB Central Monitoring System (CMS). This ensures the highest level of gaming integrity for the citizens of the State of New Mexico.
IRIS and Kobetron are advanced software inventory management and tracking systems that instantly verify all gaming software is approved by certified gaming test laboratories, GLI (Gaming Labs International), and BMM Test Labs. IRIS also alerts Operations when any software becomes revoked, providing real-time monitoring of the regulatory status of all gaming components on all non-tribal casino floors. Furthermore, Operations has a strong partnership with GLI and BMM, who are industry leaders in the testing, certification, and quality assurance of gaming.
Operations is also responsible for the management of the statutorily mandated Gaming Central Monitoring System. The Legislature, enacting the Gaming Control Act, specified the provisions in §60-2E-43, requiring a central monitoring system. This system is critical due to the statutory nature of gaming regulation and technology utilized by the Gaming Control Board.
The NMGCB Central Monitoring System is a state-of-the-art computer system designed to monitor the status, performance, and control of all non-tribal gaming machines in the State of New Mexico. This provides an accurate and immediate verification of gaming machine data by confirming the following:
Ensures that only approved gaming machines are offered to the public and provides powerful inventory management tools.
- Calculates the amount owed to the state in gaming tax each day by machine.
- Thoroughly monitors financial meter reporting to ensure tax bill accuracy.
- Provides a daily report to each gaming operator licensee detailing actual gameplay and provides a full accounting of each gaming machine’s activity.
- Provides real-time regulation; eliminates costly, time-consuming, and less accurate after-the-fact audits, which significantly reduces the cost of regulation.
- Enhances security by verifying all access to gaming machines.
- Tracks and records notable events generated on the gaming device.
- Permits the Board, in extreme circumstances, to immediately disable machines.
- Industry standard protocol allows operators greater flexibility.
Contact Information
Operations Director: Anna Salazar, 505-977-9416
Operations Hotline: 505-660-2753
Device-related issues: GCB-Slottech@gcb.nm.gov
Project submissions: GCB-Planning@gcb.nm.gov
Transport ID Requests: GCB-Transport@gcb.nm.gov
Revenue Report Inquiries: GCB-VGTR@gcb.nm.gov