New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 15 - GAMBLING AND LIQUOR CONTROL
Chapter 1 - GAMES AND GAMING GENERAL PROVISIONS
Part 5 - APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE UNDER THE GAMING CONTROL ACT
Section 15.1.5.16 - APPLICATION FOR FINDING OF SUITABILITY; CERTIFICATION

Universal Citation: 15 NM Admin Code 15.1.5.16

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. The public interest requires that all key executives of an applicant or licensee obtain findings of suitability.

B. Pursuant to the act, this rule constitutes a request and requirement by the board that each key executive employed by a licensee shall submit an application of finding of suitability within 30 days of the first day of employment as a key executive. The licensee shall send a facsimile or e-mail notice to the board no later than 96 hours after the first day of employment listing the date of employment, name, and title of position of the key executive.

C. The following persons are, or may be, subject to that requirement:

(1) any person who furnishes services or property to a gaming operator licensee under an agreement pursuant to which the person receives compensation based on earnings, profits or receipts from gaming;

(2) any person who does business on the gaming establishment;

(3) any person who provides goods or services to a gaming operator licensee for compensation that the board finds grossly disproportionate to the value of the goods or services;

(4) an officer, director, equity security holder of five percent or more, partner, general partner, limited partner, trustee or beneficiary of a company licensee or company applicant;

(5) the key executives of a company licensee or company applicant;

(6) if the applicant or licensee is or will be a subsidiary, the holder of five percent or more of the equity security of a holding company or intermediary company that is not a publicly traded corporation;

(7) an officer, director, or key executive of a holding company, intermediary company or publicly traded corporation that is or is to become actively and directly engaged in the administration or supervision of, or any other significant involvement with, the activities of a subsidiary licensee or applicant;

(8) each person who, individually or with others, acquires, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of five percent or more of any voting securities in a publicly traded corporation registered with the board if the board determines that the acquisition would otherwise be inconsistent with the policy of the state;

(9) each person who, individually or with others, acquires, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership of ten percent or more of any class of voting securities in a publicly traded corporation certified by the board;

(10) the following members of a nonprofit organization gaming operator applicant or licensee:
(a) the president or commander if the president or commander will have the power to exercise significant influence over decisions concerning any part of the licensed operations of the licensee or will be directly involved in the gaming activities of the licensee;

(b) officers with check-writing authority or other financial responsibility;

(c) board members;

(d) key executives, such as the gaming manager and the officers, employees, volunteers and other persons designated by the nonprofit organization as key executives; and

(e) any person who has access to the internal structure or software of any gaming machine or associated equipment;

(11) the person with primary ownership interest in or managerial responsibility for an applicant for a limited use distributor's license, provided, however, that the board may provide for an expedited application process for such an applicant; and

(12) any other person as deemed necessary by the board to protect the public health, safety, morals and general welfare.

D. A finding of suitability relates only to the involvement specified in the application. A key executive shall seek a new determination from the board within 30 days if there is any change in the nature of the involvement from that for which the key executive was previously found suitable by the board.

E. The board may waive the requirement for finding of suitability of an institutional investor or foreign institutional investor unless the board determines that public policy requires that the institutional investor or foreign institutional investor apply for such a finding. A waiver of certification of finding of suitability shall be valid for three years, after which the institutional investor or foreign institutional investor may reapply for a waiver.

F. A beneficial owner of an equity interest required to apply for a finding of suitability pursuant to Paragraph (8) of Subsection C of 15.1.5.16 NMAC or Paragraph (9) of Subsection C of 15.1.5.16 NMAC above may be deemed suitable by the board if the person has been found suitable by a gaming regulatory authority in another jurisdiction and provided the board finds that the other jurisdiction has conducted a thorough investigation that is comparable to investigations conducted by the board to determine suitability.

G. In making a determination of suitability for any other person that applies for a finding of suitability pursuant to this section, the board may consider, to the extent deemed appropriate by the board, the contents of a finding of suitability issued for that person by a gaming regulatory authority in another jurisdiction or by another state or federal licensing authority.

H. The board may deny, revoke, suspend, limit, or restrict any finding of suitability or application for such finding on the same grounds as it may take such action with respect to other licenses and licensees. The board also may take such action on the grounds that the person found suitable is associated with, controls, or is controlled by, an unsuitable person.

I. Upon final determination by the board of the applicant's suitability, the board shall issue a certification of such finding to the applicant.

J. A person seeking a finding of suitability as a key executive of a nonprofit gaming operator applicant or licensee is not required to be a member of the nonprofit organization. The key executive may provide services to the nonprofit gaming operator licensee on a paid or volunteer basis.

K. An applicant for a gaming license or a licensee is responsible for ensuring that key person applications are filed in accordance with the act and this rule. The board may delay approval of or deny an application for a gaming license on the grounds that a key executive application has not been submitted.

L. No licensee shall employ as a key executive any person who has failed to file an application for finding of suitability as required by this rule. A licensee shall ensure that each key executive has made the required application.

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