Amelia Walker, a J.D. holder and senior content writer at Betting.us, is a legal expert in responsible gambling. Initially skeptical, she now has over six years in professional gambling. She’s studied gambling law and currently educates gamblers on our site in legal and safe play.
Sports Betting in New Mexico
By Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer at Betting.us
Updated: December 14, 2023
Hello, and welcome to our article for sports gambling in New Mexico. The state was the sixth to allow legal sports betting back in August 2018 and boast several sportsbooks. We have done the required research to provide comprehensive information about the sports betting scene and existing sportsbooks in the state.
Full List and Map of Sports Betting Locations in New Mexico
Several legal sportsbooks offer sports gambling in New Mexico. However, not all are desirable, so it is essential to compare your options carefully. If you are looking for trustworthy destinations on the map, we have made the full list of bookmarkers. You can quickly compare and pick a favorite to start placing your wagers.
The Best New Mexico Sportsbooks
| Name | Type | Website | Full Address | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route 66 Casino | Casino Resort | www.rt66casino.com | 14500 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121, USA | Read Review |
| Inn of the Mountain Gods | Casino Resort | www.innofthemountaingods.com | 287 Carrizo Canyon Rd, Mescalero, NM 88340, USA | Read Review |
| Santa Ana Star | Casino Resort | www.santaanastar.com | 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd, Bernalillo, NM 87004, USA | Read Review |
Betting Locations by Type
There are various types of sports betting offers available for New Mexico punters. Although Santa Ana is considered the ideal sportsbook for sports betting, since it was the first in the state, you can visit multiple land-based sportsbooks, including the biggest, most reputable, and newest. The state boasts twenty-one Indian casinos, five state-licensed racetracks, and large resort casinos, such as Sandia.
Casino Resorts
New Mexico is home to many legal casino resorts owned by different tribes. Some are resort hotels that offer casino games, while others are fundamentally casinos that feature various resort facilities. The popular casino resorts include Ohkay Casino Resort Hotel, Hotel Chaco, Eco Lodge Old Town, Baymont by Wyndham Albuquerque Airport, Comfort Inn & Suites Albuquerque Downtown. The table below lists resorts with sports books only.
| Casino Resorts | Number of Rooms | Free Parking | Resort Amenities | Review link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inn of the Mountain Gods | 300 | Free Parking Spots | Swimming pool, Restaurants | Read Review |
| Route 66 | 154 | Free Parking Spots | Kids Quest Legends Theater | Read Review |
| Santa Ana Star | 204 | Free Parking Spots | Fitness center, Events and meetings | Read Review |
Racetracks
Horse Racing is the biggest spectator sport in New Mexico and attracts over two million people every year. The state boasts several racetracks that have been around for decades. The popular races are for thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness. Famous racetracks include The Downs Racetrack and Casino, La Posada del Llano, Billy the Kid Casino and Ruidoso Downs Race Track, Zia Park Casino Hotel Racetrack, and SunRay Park & Casino
| Racetracks | Types of Racing | Review link |
|---|---|---|
| The Albuquerque Downs Racetrack and Casino |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
| La Posada del Llano |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
| SunRay Park & Casino |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
| Zia Park |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
| Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
| Billy the Kid Casino and Ruidoso Downs |
Thoroughbred
,
Standardbred
|
Read Review |
Off-Track
Live racing seems to be the norm in New Mexico, with so many annual events organized in state-licensed tracks. However, you can still make online bets through your PC or smartphone. The state offers secure online race books with amazing promotions and bonuses. Some of the popular offers for Off-Track include GT Bets, BOVADA, and Bet Online.
Cruise Ships/Riverboats
Although Isleta Resort & Casino is around three lakes, it doesn’t offer any cruise ship sports betting. At the moment, the state of New Mexico does not have any licensed cruise ship or riverboat sports gambling hub, although you can still access online sportsbooks while on a cruise ship.
List of Legal Offline Sportsbooks in New Mexico
If you need to bet on sports in New Mexico, there are several offers scattered across the state. You will find comprehensive lists of sports betting hubs separated by the city to make finding the closest offer effortless. The listings include actual location and address, as well as the official website link.
Search for Sportsbooks in New Mexico
| Casino Name: | Address: | Secure Link: | City: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | |||
| Buffalo Wild Wings | 8505 Montgomery Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111, USA | ||
| Howie's Sports Page | 4188, 12500 Montgomery Blvd NE #133, Albuquerque, NM 87111, USA | ||
| Route 66 Casino | 14500 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121, USA | Albuquerque | |
| Santa Ana Star | 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd, Bernalillo, NM 87004, USA | ||
| The Downs Racetrack & Casino | 145 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA | ||
| Inn of the Mountain Gods | 287 Carrizo Canyon Rd, Mescalero, NM 88340, USA | ||
| Sunland Park | 1200 Futurity Dr, Sunland Park, NM 88063, USA | ||
| Zia Park | 3901 W Millen Dr, Hobbs, NM 88240, USA | ||
| Route 66 Casino Hotel | 14500 Central Ave SW | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino | 287 Carrizo Canyon Rd | Our review will be available soon! | |
| La Posada del Llano | US-60, Clovis, NM 88340, USA | ||
| Ruidoso Downs | 26225 US-70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346, USA | ||
| Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino | 1200 Futurity Dr | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Zia Park Casino, Hotel & Racetrack | 3901 W Millen Dr | Our review will be available soon! | |
| Santa Fe | |||
| Cities of Gold Sports Bar | 68 Cities of Gold Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA | ||
| Hilton Buffalo Thunder | 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87506, USA | ||
| SunRay Park & Casino | 39 Rd 5568, Farmington, NM 87401, USA | ||
New Mexico Sports Gambling – All Leagues and Bet Types
The New Mexico sports betting scene offers several types of leagues and bets for punters. Whether you seek New Mexico football betting, horse betting, or racetrack betting, there are many opportunities available in land-based and online platforms. Below are all the types of sports gambling you should be aware of in New Mexico.
- SPORTS
-
See AllBasketball - (AYBL)Ashburn Youth Basketball League
Football - (YAFL) Young American Football League
Baseball - (NCAA-D1) National Colegiate Athletic Association First Division
- (NCAA-D2) National Colegiate Athletic Association Second Division
Soccer - Albequerque Soccer Leagues
- Zia Youth Soccer League
Rugby - (MLL) Major League Lacrosse
- (RSL) Rugby Super League
Golf - Albequerque Golf League
Hockey - (NHL)National Hockey League
Cycling - New Mexico Mountain Bike Races
MMA - Tapology MMA
-
Bet Types:
- HORSES & DOGS
-
- Standardbred
- Thoroughbred
Bet Types: - OFF-TRACK (SIMULCAST) BETTING
-
The State Law Allows Off-Track
Where Can I Check the Current Betting Odds and Lines?
There are two main ways to check existing betting odds and lines from a sportsbook. You can visit the sportsbook to find accurate information since it is the central headquarter of the bookmarker. Visiting the sportsbook is highly recommended, although you can also check betting lines and odds posted on the official website of the bookmarker. This can be achieved through phone or PC. Since we are focusing on the land based sportsbooks, we will not review online websites. Sport gambling is still fairly new in New Mexico, so we couldn’t find legal inference pertaining to receiving odds by phone.
Legal Sports Betting in New Mexico
Sports gambling has been legal in New Mexico since August 2018 when it became the sixth state in the USA to allow it. However, there are various restrictions and regulations, so it is essential to understand what you can legally do in existing sportsbooks. The table below provides answers to the crucial questions you should ask before making your first wager.
Is sports betting legal in New Mexico?
Yes, since it was made legal in August 2018
Legal age for sports betting?
The legal age for placing a wager is 21 years and above
Can you bet online in New Mexico?
Online sports betting is illegal in New Mexico, although there are various bets you can complete online
Is fantasy sports betting allowed?
Yes. You can play daily fantasy sports including popular DFS like FanDuel and DraftKings
Is Off-Track allowed?
Yes, since there are several off track betting casinos available in the state
Are there any restrictions?
No wagering on NCAA sports for local NM schools
Who regulates NM sports betting?
NMGCB (New Mexico Gaming Control Board)
History of Sports Betting in New Mexico
New Mexico was slow to adopt most forms of sports gambling, and prior to 1990, the only available offer was wagering on horse races. However, for a state that had no gambling regulations, it was shocking when NM became the sixth state to legalize sports betting. Below is a brief look at the timeline of events that shaped the current sports betting scene in New Mexico.
| Year | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Established | The rudimentary steps that shaped the modern gambling scene in New Mexico began in 1988 when the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was established. This act provided the legal canvas for Native American tribes to erect sportsbooks that could accept bets on tribal land. When the law came to effect, the federal government formed the NIGC (National India Gaming Commission) to oversee tribal gaming activity and ensure operations remained within the legal framework. After the establishment of the gaming regulatory act, tribal casinos popped up across the US, leading to the current scene that identifies close to 500 Indian casinos in the USA. |
| 2001 | Tribal Gaming Pact & Statewide Lottery Approved | 1995 was the first time New Mexico had any form of sports gambling regulation when the governor at the time, Gary Johnson signed a tribal pact agreement and a statewide lottery into approval. This forged new relationships between New Mexico and Native American tribes that have worked closely in the casino industry, offering various sportsbooks for interested punters. The agreement was later amended in 2000 and 2007. Between 1990 and 2000, NM went through a lengthy process of negotiating compacts with local tribes. The pact was signed in 2001 by all tribes except for Pojoaque and Mescalero. Other tribal nations continued to join the pact with Pojoaque becoming the last entry in 2005. |
| 2007 | Class III Gaming Compact & Sports Betting | In 2007, an amendment to the 2001 tribal gaming pact was approved, providing leeway to sports betting in New Mexico. However, this was not until 2015 when the Wording Update broadened the scope of Class III gaming activity. In 2018, based on the new interpretation of the 2001 compact, New Mexico became a sports betting state, when the Pueblo of Santa Ana took matters in their hand to open the first sportsbook. Since then, many other sportsbooks and casinos have popped up in the state. However, sports betting is still limited to the tribal casinos and brick and mortar sportsbooks for punters above 21 years. |
How to Bet on Sports in New Mexico
Betting on sports is pretty straightforward in New Mexico, much like in most states that allow the activity. Essentially, you will need to visit a sportsbook, request betting odds and lines, pick a favorite, make a wager, and collect your betting ticket. You must provide the winning ticket to be viable for a reward, so it is vital to keep it safe until you have received your winning.
General Rules
-
Once both parties accept a wager, it will not be altered or voided prior to the start of the event or championship
-
Winning tickets are void after one year counting from the date of the last event on the wager
-
Winnings of over $10,000 may be delayed until the next regular banking day
-
Betting Limits: Maximum depends on the brand
$0.01 Minimum -
Betting hours:
09001000
Are Exchanges and Pari-Mutuel Betting Available in New Mexico?
New Mexico only allows pari-mutuel betting options on horse races. Exchanges are also permitted so that you will find both offers in most land-based commercial and tribal casinos. However, pari-mutuel betting is only available for live events. Sportsbook does not offer pari-mutuel on OTB, and there are no authority sites that are controlled by the New Mexico Gaming Commission Board to offer exchange wagering.
Taxation of Winnings
Whether you are a native or foreign resident, all your casino winnings are taxable to New Mexico State. The state follows federal gambling law that requires specific taxation, but also has its unique statutory gambling taxation requirements. The table below provides more information about the taxation requirement in the state as well as federal law.
Federal Law:
-
$600 or more - the payer is obliged to provide you with a W-2G form
-
Winnings of 300x the bet or more, must be reported
-
All gambling winnings must be filed under a W-2G form and are subject to 25% federal tax
Additional State Rules:
-
Any person who shall lose any money or property at any game at cards, or at any gambling device, may recover the same by action of debt, if money; if property, by action of trover
To learn more about taxation in the US in general, visit our detailed section.
About New Mexico
New Mexico is located southwest of the USA and boats a vibrant art scene that decorates its Spanish colonial architecture and upscale spas. Its capital city, Santa Fe, was established back in 1610.
| Capital | Santa Fe |
|---|---|
| Largest City | Albuquerque |
| Population | 2,095,428 |
| Area | 121 590 sq. mi(314,917 km2) |
| Time zone | USA(GMT -6) |
| State Nickname(s) | Land of Enchantment |
| Motto | Crescit Eundo (Grows as it goes) |
| Teams | Sport | League |
|---|---|---|
| Gallup High School | Baseball | High School |
| Hobbs | Men's Basketball | NAIA |
| Roswell | Football | Junior College |
| Portales | Baseball | NCAA DII |
Helping Hand for Players in New Mexico
Sports gambling can be exciting and profitable. However, problem gamblers might suffer increased anxiety, mood changes, erratic behavior, and other adverse effects of compulsive gambling addiction. If you face such challenges, you can use any of the existing hotlines for assistance. It is also essential to seek compensation if the sportsbook has mistreated you. The table below lists all the important hotlines and help centers.
Help for Problem Gambling in New Mexico
- New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling (505) 897-1000
- Gallup Satellite Office, 213 West Mesa Gallup, New Mexico 87301 (505) 897-1000
Lawyers for Betting Cases
- John R. Cooney 500 Fourth Street, NW, Suite 1000Albuquerque, NM 87102 Phone: (505) 848.1800www.bestlawyers.com
FAQ
Who is ineligible to place sports bets in New Mexico?
Anybody who has not signed up for an account is ineligible to place sports bets.
What other options for gambling are available in New Mexico?
Keno, Bingo,Big-6 wheel, four card, poker, three card poker, Spanish 21, mini-baccarat, casino war
Who can apply for a New Mexico sports betting license?
Any commercial entities which are duly constituted under the Mexican laws can apply for a License to install gambling facilities
How much do sports betting operators have to pay in taxes?
Sports betting operators have to pay 6.75% tax on revenue
How much revenue does New Mexico sports betting generate?
Sports betting in New Mexico generate about $7.6 million on revenue