New Mexico’s gambling landscape is defined primarily by tribal gaming, racetrack casinos, and regulated pari-mutuel wagering.

The backbone of the industry lies in the sovereignty and compacts of Native American tribes, which under federal law (and corresponding state compacts) operate the vast majority of land-based casinos across the state. These casinos offer slot machines, table games, and retail sports betting at a subset of tribal casinos.

Beyond tribal gaming, New Mexico permits racetrack casinos (racinos), charitable and nonprofit-club gaming (e.g., veterans’ halls), and pari-mutuel horse racing. The regulated environment is overseen by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board (NMGCB), which enforces licensing, taxation, and compliance for non-tribal gaming operations.

Importantly, and in sharp contrast to many states, real-money online gambling (casinos, poker, sports betting) is not locally licensed or regulated statewide. The NMGCB explicitly warns against online gambling, noting that online real-money gambling remains illegal within New Mexico.

This framework means that most legal gambling in New Mexico remains offline. This includes tribal casinos, racinos, horse tracks, and nonprofit-club gaming. For residents and visitors, gambling usually requires traveling to a licensed physical facility.

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Recent Gambling News from the State of New Mexico

More New Mexico News

Overview: New Mexico Tribes and Their Role in State Betting

New Mexico’s gambling industry is shaped almost entirely by its tribal nations, whose authority to operate casinos comes from the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and negotiated Tribal-State compacts.

Because New Mexico does not authorize commercial casinos or statewide online gambling, tribal gaming has become the dominant force in the state’s legal betting landscape. Today, more than 20 tribal casinos operate across New Mexico, providing slot machines, table games, poker, bingo, and, at select properties, retail sports betting.

The relationship between the state and its tribes is both regulatory and economic. Tribes maintain sovereignty over their gaming operations, but they enter into compacts that outline the types of gambling they can offer, the operational standards they must uphold, and the revenue-sharing obligations they owe the state.

This framework allows tribes to operate Class III gaming. This includes full casino-style gambling with slots and table games, while giving New Mexico a share of casino proceeds and a role in oversight related to compact compliance.

Tribal casinos are also crucial economic engines for their communities. Revenues support infrastructure, healthcare, housing, education, and cultural preservation.

The industry generates employment for Native and non-Native residents alike and attracts tourism to regions that might otherwise see limited economic activity.

Because New Mexico lacks statewide mobile sports betting and does not permit online casinos or poker, tribal casinos remain the main destination for residents who want to bet.

Whether it’s casino gaming, poker rooms, or retail sportsbooks, tribes effectively anchor the state’s gambling industry and define the full scope of legal betting options available within New Mexico.

Key New Mexico Tribes and Their Operations

Pueblo of Santa Ana

Operation: Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel

The Pueblo of Santa Ana is one of the most influential tribes in New Mexico’s gaming space. Its flagship property, Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel, is one of the state’s most visited casinos and is known for launching New Mexico’s first sportsbook in 2018.

The tribe’s operations include slot machines, table games, dining venues, and entertainment offerings that cater to both locals and tourists. Santa Ana’s early move into sports betting positioned the tribe as a leader in modernizing tribal gaming in the state.

Jicarilla Apache Nation

Operation: Wild Horse Casino & Hotel (Dulce) / Apache Nugget Casino (Cuba)

The Jicarilla Apache Nation operates two significant gaming properties: Wild Horse Casino & Hotel in Dulce and the Apache Nugget Casino near Cuba. Wild Horse Casino offers slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and a poker room, along with hotel accommodations.

Apache Nugget Casino has been expanding its offerings, including plans for a full race and sportsbook. These operations provide critical revenue streams for the tribe and major employment opportunities in rural northern New Mexico.

Mescalero Apache Tribe

Operation: Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino

The Mescalero Apache Tribe owns and operates the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, one of the most prominent casino resorts in the state. The property offers a full casino floor, luxury accommodations, outdoor recreation, and a sportsbook.

Its scale and amenities make it one of the most economically impactful tribal enterprises in New Mexico.

Collectively, these tribes operate diverse gaming facilities that range from small community casinos to major resort properties. Their gaming enterprises support tribal sovereignty, generate millions in revenue, and define the overall structure of legal gambling within New Mexico.

Current New Mexico Gambling Laws

New Mexico Statute (NMSA 1978)

§ 30-19-2 Gambling (Criminal Statute)

This statute defines the act of illegal gambling, which is generally a petty misdemeanor. It prohibits making a bet or entering a place with the intent to make a bet or play an illegal gambling device.

§ 30-19-3 Commercial Gambling (Criminal Statute)

This statute defines and prohibits commercial gambling, which is a fourth-degree felony. This covers organized or habitual offenses, such as operating a gambling place, receiving bets, or dealing in gambling devices for profit.

Chapter 6, Article 24: New Mexico Lottery Act

This chapter and article establishes the New Mexico Lottery Authority and authorizes the operation of the state lottery to raise revenue, primarily for educational assistance (the Legislative Lottery Scholarship fund). § 6-24-32 specifically prohibits the sale of lottery tickets to persons under the age of 18.

Chapter 60, Article 1A: Horse Racing Act

This chapter governs and regulates the sport of horse racing, including the licensing of racetracks and employees. It specifically authorizes pari-mutuel wagering on live and simulcast horse races (NMSA § 60-1A-15).

Chapter 60, Article 2E: Gaming Control Act

This is the main regulatory act for non-tribal casino gaming. It establishes the Gaming Control Board (GCB) and authorizes and regulates the operation of slot machines (video lottery terminals) and table games at licensed horse racetracks (“racinos”).

Chapter 60, Article 2F: New Mexico Bingo and Raffle Act

Authorizes and regulates certain types of games of chance. Specifically, games such as bingo, raffles, and pull-tabs are allowed when conducted by qualified non-profit, charitable, religious, or fraternal organizations.

Latest New Mexico Legislative Updates

The New Mexico Legislature has not passed any major new gambling legislation in the most recent sessions (2024-2025) that fundamentally changes the current legal structure. The legislative and regulatory activity has primarily focused on studies, proposed rules, and the continued prohibition of unauthorized online gambling.

The state maintains its conservative, highly regulated approach where most forms of gambling are illegal unless specifically exempted by statute or through tribal compacts.

New Mexico Land-Based Sports Betting

Status: Legal

Land-based sports betting in New Mexico is legal, but only under a narrow framework. Legal sports betting is available exclusively at tribal casinos that interpret their Tribal-State compacts under the federal IGRA as allowing “Class III gaming,” which in those compacts includes sports wagering.

The first retail sportsbook in the state opened in October 2018 at the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel, owned by the Pueblo of Santa Ana. That marked New Mexico’s entry into legal sports betting, though it did not come through state legislation but tribal compact interpretation.

Because sports betting is limited to tribal casinos and must be conducted in person, there is no statewide, commercial sportsbook market. The regulatory responsibility lies primarily with each tribe’s internal gaming agency under oversight of compact and federal law (rather than a statewide sports-betting law).

This model of land-based-only, tribal-only sports betting means bettors must physically visit the casino to place bets; there are no state-licensed retail sportsbooks outside tribal lands, and mobile or online sports betting is explicitly illegal.

List of Land-Based Sports Betting Operations in New Mexico

Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel

Operator: Pueblo of Santa Ana

Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel holds a significant place in New Mexico’s sports betting history as the first tribal casino in the state to launch a retail sportsbook. Debuting in October 2018, its sportsbook offering marked New Mexico’s entry into legal in-person sports wagering despite the absence of a state-regulated market.

The property provides a modern sports betting environment where guests can place wagers on a broad range of professional and collegiate sporting events, including football, basketball, baseball, and more. Its launch helped set the precedent for tribal casinos statewide to integrate sports betting into their gaming portfolios under existing tribal-state compact frameworks.

Owned and operated by the Pueblo of Santa Ana, the casino is known for its strong gaming reputation, hotel accommodations, and entertainment offerings. The tribe uses gaming revenue, including sports wagering, to support government services, economic development, and community programs.

Santa Ana Star remains one of the state’s most active and recognized sports betting hubs.

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino

Operator: Mescalero Apache Tribe

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino is among New Mexico’s most prominent tribal gaming destinations, owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. The resort features a full suite of gaming amenities, including slot machines, table games, and a retail sportsbook that allows wagering on major professional and collegiate sports.

Recent reporting in 2025 highlights that the resort continues to be a major economic driver for the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Gaming revenue, including sports betting, provides substantial funding for essential tribal services, job creation, and long-term economic stability.

As one of the most visited properties in southern New Mexico, the Inn of the Mountain Gods blends gaming with a full resort experience, offering dining, a hotel, outdoor recreation, and entertainment venues.

Its sportsbook enhances the overall gaming environment, giving visitors a diverse wagering experience in a scenic mountain setting. The tribe’s continued investment in the property underscores its importance as both a cultural and economic pillar for the Mescalero Apache community.

New Mexico Online Sports Betting

Status: Not Licensed or Regulated

New Mexico Online Sports Betting

Online sports betting is not licensed or regulated in New Mexico. The state has no legal framework for statewide mobile or online sportsbooks, and the regulatory body (NMGCB) warns that online real-money gambling is illegal.

Because of this, there are no state-approved sports betting apps or websites operating for New Mexico residents.

At present, all legally sanctioned sports wagering must be done in person at tribal casinos. No online sportsbook operations are permitted under New Mexico law.

List of Online Sports Betting Operations in New Mexico

Currently, no locally-licensed online sports betting operations are operating in New Mexico.

Other Online Sports Betting Options for New Mexico Residents

Offshore Betting Sites for New Mexico Residents

Betting sites based offshore and accessible to U.S. players can serve as alternative venues for New Mexico players seeking to place online wagers. Because these operators are headquartered outside the United States, they operate in a legal “grey zone.” To date, there are no known cases of New Mexico players being prosecuted for placing bets on these offshore platforms.

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New Mexico Land-Based Casino Gambling

Status: Legal

Land-based casino gambling is legal in New Mexico, but only under specific frameworks: tribal casinos, racetrack casinos (racinos), and licensed nonprofit/veterans/fraternal clubs. The bulk of casino-style gaming occurs on tribal lands.

Tribal casinos operating under compacts with the state and regulated via the federal IGRA provide slot machines, table games (card games, blackjack, roulette, etc.), and in some cases retail sportsbooks. There are 21 tribal casinos in operation across the state.

Meanwhile, non-tribal racinos can also offer slot-machine gaming, subject to licensing by NMGCB and obeying statutory limits (for example, maximum number of machines and tax obligations).

In 2023, tribal casinos reportedly generated substantial revenue, dramatically outpacing racinos. The dominance of tribal casinos reflects both regulatory structure and the popularity of tribal gaming among residents and tourists.

Thus, for those seeking casino-style gambling, visiting a tribal casino remains the primary legal option in New Mexico.

List of Land-Based Casino Operations in New Mexico

Wild Horse Casino & Hotel Dulce

Operator: The Jicarilla Apache Nation

Wild Horse Casino & Hotel is a key gaming enterprise for the Jicarilla Apache Nation, serving both locals and travelers in northern New Mexico.

Located in Dulce, the property offers a compact but full-service casino experience featuring approximately 184 slot machines, table games such as roulette and blackjack, and a dedicated poker room. These offerings make it one of the primary entertainment hubs in the region.

Apache Nugget Casino Cuba

Operator: The Jicarilla Apache Nation

Apache Nugget Casino, located near Cuba, New Mexico, is another major gaming property owned by the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The casino has traditionally offered slot machines, table games, and dining amenities, serving as one of the tribe’s primary revenue sources outside Dulce.

Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel

Operator: the Pueblo of Santa Ana

Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel is one of New Mexico’s most recognized tribal gaming destinations, owned and operated by the Pueblo of Santa Ana. Located in Bernalillo, the casino offers a full range of gaming options, from slot machines to table games.

The casino’s well-established reputation and proximity to the Albuquerque metro area position it as one of the strongest performers in the state’s tribal gaming sector.

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino

Operator: the Mescalero Apache Tribe

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino is one of New Mexico’s premier tribal gaming destinations, owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

Situated in the scenic mountains of Mescalero, the resort is both a major tourism draw and a significant economic engine for the tribe, consistently contributing substantial gaming revenue, including from its casino floor, entertainment amenities, and other resort operations.

As a land-based casino, Inn of the Mountain Gods offers one of the most comprehensive gaming experiences in the state. The casino floor features hundreds of modern slot machines, a diverse mix of table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and specialty pit games, and regularly updated gaming technology designed to appeal to both locals and visiting players.

Its blend of resort amenities and traditional tribal gaming makes Inn of the Mountain Gods one of the flagship land-based casino operations in New Mexico.

New Mexico Online Casino Gambling

Status: Not Licensed or Regulated

Online casinos offering real-money play are not legal or regulated in New Mexico. The state’s regulator, NMGCB, explicitly states that online real-money gambling, including online casinos, poker, sweepstakes, and sports betting, is illegal.

Therefore, there are no online casino operations licensed by New Mexico. Because of this, online gamblers in New Mexico often turn to offshore or out-of-state sites.

List of Online Casino Operations in New Mexico

No locally-licensed or regulated online casino operators are available in New Mexico.

Other Online Casino Options for New Mexico Residents

Offshore Online Casinos for New Mexico Residents

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New Mexico Poker

Status: Legal

Land-based poker is generally legal, primarily at tribal casinos that include table games under their Class III gaming compacts. Many tribal casinos in New Mexico offer poker rooms as part of their gaming offerings. For example, the Wild Horse Casino & Hotel provides a poker room.

Thus, for players interested in poker, visiting a tribal casino remains the main legal route in New Mexico.

List of Land-Based Poker Operations in New Mexico

Wild Horse Casino & Hotel

Operator: the Jicarilla Apache Nation
Number of Tables: 1-2

Wild Horse Casino & Hotel is operated by the Apache Nugget Corporation on behalf of the Jicarilla Apache Nation. For poker enthusiasts, Wild Horse provides a live-table experience on tribal land, giving players a regulated venue for games like Texas Hold’em and other typical casino poker variants (though the exact mix of poker games isn’t always publicly detailed).

Because of its smaller size compared to major city-area casinos, the poker room at Wild Horse likely caters to more modest stakes and local/regional players, offering a quieter, more intimate poker environment. For those in the region, it remains an important venue for live poker under tribal gaming regulation.

Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel

Operator: the Pueblo of Santa Ana
Number of Tables: not disclosed

Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel is owned and operated by the Pueblo of Santa Ana. The casino is among the largest and most established tribal properties in New Mexico. They have a wide selection of table games, and a live poker room.

The casino’s size, gaming diversity, and amenities (hotel, dining, sportsbook) make it an attractive destination for poker players seeking more action, variety, and convenience.

Because of its broader clientele, games at Santa Ana Star may include larger tables, tournaments, and potentially higher-stakes games compared to more rural casinos.

New Mexico Online Poker

Status: Not Licensed or Regulated

Online poker for real money is not legal or regulated in New Mexico. The state prohibits online real-money gambling, and no online poker platforms are licensed in the state.

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List of Online Poker Operations in New Mexico

There are currently no state-licensed online poker operations in New Mexico.

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New Mexico Land-Based Horse Betting

Status: Legal

Horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering are legal in New Mexico. Licensed racetracks may offer live racing and simulcast wagering, and pari-mutuel betting is regulated under state statute (e.g., NMSA 1978 §§ 60-1A-1 through 60-1A-30).

In addition, some racetrack casinos (racinos) are permitted to operate slot machines alongside horse-racing wagering.

This means bettors seeking horse-race wagering can legally place bets at licensed racetracks in New Mexico, either live or via simulcast, under the state’s regulatory framework.

List of Land-Based Horse Betting Operations in New Mexico

Zia Park Casino Hotel & Racetrack

Operator: PENN Entertainment, Inc.

This track is owned by Penn National Gaming (Penn Entertainment). It hosts its live thoroughbred and quarter horse meet primarily in the fall, generally running from September to December. It features a hotel, a casino with gaming machines, and year-round simulcast wagering.

Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino

Operator: Strategic Gaming Management (SGM)

Sunland Park features both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, with its racing season typically running from late December through early April. The track hosts the Sunland Derby, a major preparatory race for the Kentucky Derby. It offers year-round simulcasting and an on-site casino with gaming machines.

The Downs Racetrack & Casino

Operator: Albuquerque (New Mexico State Fairgrounds)

This is the state’s largest venue, located at the State Fairgrounds. It hosts live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing during the annual State Fair meet (usually late summer/early fall).

Pari-mutuel wagering is offered both on live races and year-round simulcasting. The accompanying casino features a large number of electronic gaming machines.

Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino

Operator: Johnny Trotter

Known primarily for its summer racing season, including the All American Futurity, one of the most prestigious quarter horse races in the world. They offer live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.

Year-round simulcast wagering is available at the Billy the Kid Casino on site, which also offers slots and electronic table games.

SunRay Park & Casino

Operator: SunRay Gaming of New Mexico, LLC (A private entity)

SunRay Park hosts live horse races, typically offering a shorter meet in the spring (April and May). The facility provides year-round simulcast wagering on races from around the country in its betting room, alongside a casino floor featuring gaming machines.

New Mexico Online Horse Betting

Status: Gray Area

The legal status of online horse-race betting in New Mexico is more nuanced. Some sources indicate that online betting may be allowed, especially for out-of-state races.

For example, a 2025 overview suggests that while many forms of online gambling are banned, horse-race betting may be among the “other types” of gambling allowed online, so long as the race is not held in New Mexico.

New Mexico has not formally legalized and regulated in-state ADW, but it also has not explicitly banned the large, reputable U.S.-based ADW sites (like TVG, TwinSpires, etc.) from accepting wagers from residents. These sites operate legally under federal law in many states.

Therefore, while some bettors from New Mexico may participate in online horse race betting (especially on out-of-state races), these operations are not formally regulated within New Mexico’s jurisdiction.

List of Online Horse Betting Operations in New Mexico

TwinSpires

Operator: Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI)

The official wagering partner of the Kentucky Derby. TwinSpires is one of the most established and trusted ADW platforms, known for extensive track coverage (over 300 tracks globally), high-quality live video streaming, and the robust TSC Elite loyalty program.

TVG / FanDuel Racing

Operator: FanDuel Group (Owned by Flutter Entertainment)

A major national presence in racing media and betting. TVG offers wagering coupled with a dedicated racing television network, providing deep content, handicapping tools, and race analysis. In many jurisdictions, it is now integrated with the broader FanDuel brand (FanDuel Racing).

Xpressbet

Operator: 1/ST Technology (A subsidiary of The Stronach Group)

Known for its dedication solely to horse racing, Xpressbet offers thoroughbred, harness, and quarter-horse betting. It provides excellent handicapping resources, live racing coverage, and a strong rewards program (1/ST Rewards).

AmWager

Operator: AmWager LLC

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New Mexico Lotteries

Status: Legal

The state lottery is a legal and established form of gambling in New Mexico. The state’s lottery offers local draw games, scratch tickets, and participates in multi-state draws such as those run by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), meaning residents (18+) can participate in games like Mega Millions, Powerball, and others.

Authorized retailers (physical outlets) are the typical point of sale for New Mexico Lottery tickets. However, online lottery ticket sales are not a feature; New Mexico does not license online sales of lottery tickets.

Thus, the lottery remains one of the most accessible and regulated forms of gambling for New Mexicans, operating under the state lottery authority and offering both in-state and multi-state games.

New Mexico Sweepstakes

Status: Legal, but with Caveats

In New Mexico, sweepstakes are legal in the sense that promotional contests or prize-based games where participants do not pay to enter and outcomes are based on chance or skill are generally permitted. However, the legality depends heavily on how the sweepstakes are structured:

No Purchase Necessary: To be legal, a sweepstakes cannot require participants to pay money or provide consideration to enter. If money is required, it may be considered illegal gambling under state law.
Skill vs. Chance: Sweepstakes based entirely on chance (like random draws) are usually treated differently than contests that require skill. Both are generally allowed if no payment is required.

As such, traditional promotional sweepstakes are legal in New Mexico if they abide with the aforementioned regulations.

New Mexico Sweepstakes Casinos

Status: Not Licensed or Regulated

Given that real-money gambling online (whether slot-style casinos or poker) remains unlicensed and unregulated under state law, New Mexico does not issue licenses for online sweepstakes casinos offering real-money wagers.

As such, sweepstakes casinos are not licensed or regulated within the state.

New Mexico Gambling FAQs

Is sports betting fully legal in New Mexico?

Yes, but only in person at tribal casinos. There is no statewide, commercial sportsbook market, and online/mobile sports betting remains unlicensed and unregulated.

Do I need to be a certain age to gamble in New Mexico?

Yes. Patrons must be at least 21 years old to enter casinos and participate in Class III gaming, including slot machines, table games, and tribal sports betting.

What is the most popular form of gambling in New Mexico?

The most popular form of gambling in New Mexico is slot machines (or video lottery terminals) played at tribal casinos and racinos, followed closely by the state lottery.

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New Mexico Gambling: Recommended Online Casinos and Sportsbooks, Regulation and News