Sports Betting in New Mexico
It’s legal to bet on sports in New Mexico at some of the state’s tribal casinos. Even though it has yet to pass any sports betting legislation, there’s a way to bet on the game in the land of enchantment.
New Mexico Sportsbook Locations
After the federal ban on sports betting was overruled by the Supreme Court of the United States in 2018, a bill wasn’t even introduced to the New Mexico legislature. But that didn’t stop Santa Ana Star Casino and Hotel from offering sports wagering to guests at its tribal casino.
New Mexico has yet to officially legalize betting on sports. Despite this, sports betting is already being offered to guests at multiple tribal casinos in the state. Since it wasn’t legislatively driven, New Mexico is different than most states with legal sports betting.
Sportsbook locations can be found in New Mexico at several of the state’s tribal casinos. Despite sports betting legislation not even being brought up by legislators in the state, each location is taking bets from anyone 21 or older at its casino property.
The state’s attorney general backed up tribal casinos, affirming that sports betting is legal to be offered by tribal casinos in New Mexico. Sports betting at tribal casinos are under the regulatory power of the Tribal Regulatory Committees of each pueblo.
Without having passed legalization, New Mexico is restricted to wagering on sports in-person at tribal casinos. Betting on sports is completely in the hands of the tribes that run each casino in which it is offered. The state doesn’t even assess an additional tax for sports betting.
| Location | License | Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana Star Casino | N/A | USBookmaking |
| Apache Nugget Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Buffalo Thunder Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Billy the Kid Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Mountain Gods Resort & Casino | N/A | William Hill |
| Isleta Casino & Resort | N/A | USBookmaking |
| Northern Edge Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Ohkay Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Palace West | N/A | TBD |
| Route 66 Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Sandia Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Sky City Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Sun Ray Park Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Sunland Park Racetrack | N/A | TBD |
| Taos Mountian Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Wild Horse Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Kicks 66 | N/A | TBD |
| Camel Rock Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Dancing Eagle Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Fire Rock Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Flowing Waters Casino | N/A | TBD |
| Nambe Falls Casino | N/A | TBD |
| San Felipe Casino | N/A | TBD |
Gambling in New Mexico Timeline
2018
New Mexico takes its first sports bet.
2018
The New Mexico Racing Commission decides to grant another horse racing license, creating the states sixth racetrack.
2016
New Mexico’s legislature votes on a bill that would legalize online daily fantasy sports, also setting regulations and guidelines for the industry.
2009
New Mexico enacts the Bingo and Raffle Act in July, repealing the state’s former bingo law. The new law allows organizations to obtain licenses to conduct bingo and raffle games for charitable purposes as well as reducing the state’s existing tax on for the activity.
1998
The state passes legislation that permits the construction of 5 horse racing licenses, which leads to the creation of New Mexico’s state-run racetrack casinos.
1995
Gov. Johnson signs gaming compacts with the tribes of New Mexico, leading to the Cities of Gold, the state’s first land-based casino to open in Pojoaque. That very same year, New Mexico approves the state lottery.
1990
Gov. King appoints a task force to negotiate gaming compacts with the Pueblo of Sandia and the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
1946
Parimutuel betting begins in New Mexico with the opening of La Mesa Park in Raton, the horse racetrack sees huge crowds that want to bet on the horses.
