New Mexico Sports Betting – How To Bet On Sports Legally Online In NM in 2024
- Online Sports Betting Available In NM Via Offshore Sportsbooks
- In-Person Domestic Sportsbooks In New Mexico At Tribal Casinos
- Legislative Movement Toward Mobile/Online Sports Betting: Yes
New Mexico has a total of 21 tribal casinos and 6 racinos (racetracks with casino games) spread throughout the state, but currently, only 3 tribal casinos are offering domestic sports betting. These tribal venues can offer sports wagering through a loophole in their gaming compact with the state.
Until recently, state lawmakers have not considered sports betting legalization. However, lawmakers seem poised to finally breach the subject with new legislative action on the matter.
If the state authorizes domestic sports gambling, numerous existing venues in the state would be able to provide these services. However, the three tribal casinos that have taken the initiative to launch their own books without "permission" from the state remain New Mexico's only viable brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at this time.
In addition to these tribal casinos, NM residents can also legally bet on sports with the use of international online sportsbooks such as the ones we recommend below.
Is Sports Betting Legal In New Mexico?
At this time, the answer is a bit more complex than yes or no. New Mexico players can legally wager on sports through the state's only active sportsbooks at the Santa Ana Star Casino, the Buffalo Thunder Casino, and the Isleta Resort & Casino. However, no other local venue is currently offering this kind of service.
The state has yet to authorize sports gambling via legislation but permits the above venues to continue conducting sports wagering operations, though only in person. There is no way for domestic operators to offer online betting in the state. New legislation has been introduced that may change this scenario.
Fortunately, New Mexico players can also legally bet on sports through offshore sportsbooks that are legally operating within the industry. No state law prohibits their use by NM residents, nor is there any mention of offshore sportsbooks being prohibited by any Federal gambling law.
New Mexico Sports Betting Bills
New Mexico lawmakers brought sports betting bills to the table during the 2024 legislative session, but none of them passed. However, legislators in the state seem determined to bring offshore betting revenue back inside state lines. For information regarding future New Mexico legislation and their sponsors, please refer to our sports wagering bill tracking page.
Best New Mexico Sports Betting Sites
Our team has scoured the Internet to find the top-rated sportsbooks accepting New Mexico bettors. Each one of these brands has been in the business for years and is highly regarded by industry insiders. You can browse them for yourself by clicking on the links in the table. We have also written detailed reviews for the brands listed below, click the link to learn more.
| Site Name | Current Bonus | Age | U.S. | Visit Site | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | 50% Max $1,000 | 18+ |  | Visit Site Review |
| 2 |  | 125% Max $3,125 | 18+ | | Visit Site Review |
| 3 |  | 50% Max $250 | 18+ | | Visit Site Review |
| 4 |  | 25% Max $500 | 18+ | | Visit Site Review |
| 5 |  | 50% Max $500 | 18+ | | Visit Site Review |
| 6 |  | 100% Max $1,000 | 21+ | | Visit Site Review |
| 7 |  | 50% Max $200 | 21+ | | Visit Site Review |
NM Sports Betting Details
- Legal Sportsbooks: Tribal Only; Offshore
- Launch Date: October 16, 2018
- New Mexico Minimum Sports Betting Age: 21 years old
- Land-Based Sportsbooks: Santa Ana Star Casino, Buffalo Thunder Casino, Isleta Resort & Casino, Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort (powered by William Hill)
- Online Sportsbook: Local: No; Offshore yes
- Mobile Betting App: Local: No; Offshore yes
- In-Play/Live Betting: Local: No; Offshore yes
- State Sportsbook Revenue: N/A
- Eligible Operators: Tribal Operators with State-Gaming Compacts
- Commission: N/A
- Licensing Fee: N/A
- Tax Rate: N/A
- Tax-Funded: N/A
What You Can Bet On:
- In-state: All types and professional and college sports are allowed
- Offshore: All lines, odds, and props for all games, teams, and players across all college and professional sports
What You Can't Bet On In NM:
- In-state: No restrictions
- Offshore: No restrictions
Where Can I Bet On Sports?
While the state has not authorized domestic sports gambling at the legislative level, several tribal venues currently offer sports wagering services through the tribal gaming compact loophole. Offshore sportsbooks, such as the ones featured above, also serve as a reliable and legal way to wager on sports in NM.
Local New Mexico Sports Betting Locations
- Santa Ana Star Casino
- Buffalo Thunder Casino
- Isleta Resort & Casino
- Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort
The Santa Ana Star Sportsbook
The Santa Ana Star is located just outside of Albuquerque, NM on tribal land, and was one of the first tribal casinos to start offering sports betting in the state. The casino has been operating since 1993. The launch of their sportsbook was considered legal without any state legislation because of a loophole in the Indian Gaming Compacts passed in 1995, and the tribe's boldness set the table for other groups to follow suit (and some have done so in multiple states).
The compact was renewed in 2015, and because the agreement states that a tribal casino can take bets without further state legislation, and there is no mention of sports betting in the compact, casinos have legal leeway for additional class III gaming.
It should be noted that no domestic sports betting legislation has passed in New Mexico and only the Santa Ana Star Casino, the Buffalo Thunder Casino, Isleta Resort & Casino, and the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort are now offering sports betting at this time. More tribal casinos are expected to follow suit in the future.
Best New Mexico Sports Betting Apps
The only state-based sports sportsbook in the state of NM is operated by several tribal casinos. At this time, they are not permitted to provide online or mobile options to patrons. The good news is that New Mexico's sports fans can still enjoy sports wagering on the go from international sportsbooks that all provide a high-end mobile application that is web-based and compatible with most modern mobile devices.
Below, you will see our top recommendations for the best mobile sportsbooks that welcome players from NM. These are the leading online sportsbook brands in the world and offer a secure mobile gambling experience that allows even live, in-play wagering from a smartphone or tablet. Learn more from our mobile sports betting guide or visit one of the legal mobile sportsbooks below.
Albuquerque Sportsbooks
Albuquerque is the state's capital and home of the University of New Mexico Lobos. Locals have the option of betting on their favorite college or professional team legally with the use of offshore sportsbooks or the domestic sportsbook located at the Santa Ana Star Casino.
FAQs
Will I Get Arrested for Betting on Sports in New Mexico?
No, as long as the sportsbook is licensed or authorized to accept wagers on sports. Offshore sportsbooks are not illegal in the eyes of the state, and thus, players using this method are not in violation of the law by any means.
How To Bet On March Madness In NM
While there are some retail sportsbooks located throughout NM, the best March Madness betting is at the sites listed in the table above.
Thousands of March Madness props, NCAAB odds, and game lines are available online from the convenience of anywhere that 18 and over gamblers choose when opting for our top legal college basketball betting sites in NM.
Are Mobile Sports Betting Apps Legal in New Mexico?
At this time, there are no mobile sportsbook apps authorized and licensed by the state to operate. However, offshore sportsbooks provide NM players with mobile sports wagering capabilities otherwise unavailable to in-state players.
What Teams Can I Gamble On?
The state hasn't authorized any sports gambling operations at the legislative level as of yet, so no state regulations on which kinds of sports wagers are prohibited or authorized have been made. There are currently no restrictions placed by the tribal venues regarding in-state teams, either professional or collegiate. But this may change with introduced and enacted state legislation. In addition, offshore sportsbooks do not place any restrictions on the types of teams NM players can gamble on.
Legislative Resources
Gambling Resources
2024 Football Betting In New Mexico
How To Bet On NFL Football in New Mexico
Don’t bother travelling to a tribal casino in NM to lay some action on pro football. Bet on the NFL using one or more of the top online sportsbooks that we feature within this guide and take advantage of the numerous odds, props, lines, and futures that they offer. NFL gambling can occur all year long, not just during the season. Also, each February, there are literally thousands of options for betting on the Super Bowl and earning a massive payday when your team wins.
How To Bet On College Football in New Mexico
The New Mexico State Aggies and NM Lobos take up most of the college football bandwidth in the region. If you’re interested in college football betting, either on a state-based university or any NCAAF program around the country, be sure to sign up with one of the online sportsbooks listed above. These NCAA Football betting sites offer superior lines and odds when compared to domestic NM venues, and also allow for 18 and older customers to become members.
