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City Commissioner Randal Crowder opposes the opening of Twin Arrow Bingo because it will include gaming machines and could compete for customers with Crowder’s own gambling interests.

At least that’s how Twin Arrow owner Rocky Bernard sees the situation.

The accusation is ridiculous, according to Crowder.

He says his minority ownership in land that has an option to maybe one day become a race track and casino was not a factor in his voting to deny a beer and wine license for Twin Arrow in August.

Either way, Bernard said last week he has withdrawn his application for a beer and wine license, but still plans to open his restaurant and gaming center by the end of January.

And he wants area residents to know about Crowder’s perceived conflict of interest:

“If the (Laguna Native American) tribe gets a racino license, they’ll put it on his land,” Bernard said.

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City commissioners in August voted 6-2 to allow Bernard to serve beer and wine in his restaurant. City Attorney Dave Richards said the only legal reason to deny the license was “evidence presented under oath that indicates health, safety or general welfare issues.”

The vote was 6-2 with Crowder and Commissioner Gary Elliott opposing.

But weeks later, state officials learned Twin Arrow was within 300 feet of a preschool, meaning the city had to grant a waiver for the license.

Bernard withdrew his application for the license, convinced that Crowder’s influence with other public officials would result in his waiver being denied.

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Ironically, Crowder says it was Bernard who helped change Crowder’s neutral position on gambling.

“He said, ‘If you can show me anywhere in the Bible where it says ‘Thou shalt not gamble,’ I’ll stop,” Crowder said. “And I took that challenge, and I went and started researching and asking questions, and that two- to three-month long process changed me, because it does not say that anywhere in the Bible, ‘Do not gamble.’ It’s not in there.”

Bernard said he didn’t recall making the challenge to Crowder, but said it’s something he does say often to people who oppose gambling.

But, Crowder said, the Bible does say to work to earn your money, and if you have any left over, give it to the poor.

“Gambling is all about ... chance and luck. That’s what it’s about, and I didn’t really fully understand that, I didn’t fully grip that,” Crowder said. “This says, ‘Take your extra money and come spend it with us.’”

Crowder said he tried to prove Bernard wrong, but said Bernard was right in his statement. However, through his research, Crowder had a change of heart toward gambling.

“Go back about six months, and Randy Crowder changed, I’ll tell you that straight up,” Crowder said.

“I did not have a strong position (on gambling), it didn’t bother me. But once I was challenged and I investigated, it changed me.”

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The state’s racing commission has said it will issue a racino license, but has not determined when or where that racino might operate.

Laguna Development Corp. officials have said they hope to bring a racino to Clovis and they have an option to buy land at Seventh and Norris streets.

Crowder confirmed that he owns part of that 126 acres, but said he’s not the majority holder nor the decision maker when it comes to how the land is used.

“I didn’t make (the decision to enter into an option with the tribe), my business partner did, and I have to honor what they decide,” Crowder said.

“And, they’re very much aware of my position.”

He said he has benefited financially from the option.

“You don’t get an option for free,” he said. “If they want me to pull my land off the market, they pay us to do that, and what they paid us was split according to percentage of ownership.”

Contractual obligations would make it difficult for Crowder to opt out of the land deal, he said, but he is conflicted because of his moral positions on gambling.

“Clearly, it has popped in my mind, the Biblical verse speaking of being unequally yoked,” Crowder said. “It’s going to depend on the circumstances at the time and the details of the deal. I don’t know what I would do until I’m faced with the exact details of what might transpire.”