New Mexico Senate confirms three gambling board nominees

Chairwoman Janice McCrary and board members Brett Woods and Nelson Spear were confirmed unanimously Tuesday with no debate.

The board regulates off-reservation gambling - slot machines at race tracks and at veterans' and fraternal clubs - and has limited oversight of Indian casinos.

McCrary and Woods are original board members, appointed by the governor in May 1998. Spear was appointed in June 1999 to fill a vacancy.

The five-member board also includes the heads of the Lottery Authority and the state Racing Commission.

By law, the governor's appointees to high-level positions must be confirmed by the Senate.

The Republican administration has complained that the Democratic-controlled Senate has been slow to act on some appointments.

archive