New Mexico Casinos

New Mexico is home to a number of casinos, many of which are located on tribal land and are operated by Native American tribes. The state’s gaming industry is regulated by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board, which ensures that casinos operate fair and legal games.

New Mexico’s casinos offer a range of games, including slots, table games, and poker. Some of the larger casinos in the state also offer live entertainment, fine dining, and luxury accommodations.

In addition to traditional casinos, New Mexico also has a number of racetrack casinos, which offer live horse racing and simulcast betting on races from around the country.

Currently there are 29 casinos or gambling establishments in the state of New Mexico.

Legal gambling was introduced to New Mexico in 1947 When municipal politicians approved pari-mutuel horse race wagering.

Historical Perspective of Indian Gaming in New Mexico

1987 – In California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, the U.S. Supreme Court essentially ruled that if state law criminally forbids a particular form of gambling, then the tribes inside that state are not allowed to partake in that activity. The tribes within the state may, however, partake in that gaming without state oversight if state law civilly restricts a particular form of gambling. This serves as the legal framework for Indian gaming.

Following the enactment of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988 (established by Congress as the federal regulatory scheme that governs Indian gaming throughout the United States) Indian gaming was separated into three distinct classes: Class I, II and III gaming.

In 2021 new gaming compacts were negotiated and approved by the New Mexico State Legislature, and in 2003 The State of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation enter into a 2001 gaming compact.

For lotteries and horse racing, New Mexico’s legal gambling age is 18 years old. For charitable gaming, there is no set minimum age for gambling.

According to sections 60-2E-4 of the Gaming Control Act and the New Mexico Criminal Code, 30-19-1 through 30-19-15 NMSA 1978, gambling is illegal in New Mexico unless it is expressly approved by law.

Poker

• Albuquerque’s Sandia Poker Room has 15 poker tables for live cash games and tournaments (as well as 2300 electronic casino games, and bingo).
• Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Operated by Pueblo of Laguna) has 10 poker tables.

Online Gambling

Off-track betting is the only type of online gambling that is permitted in New Mexico. The only website in the state with a license to take bets from customers is TVG.

In New Mexico, daily fantasy sports websites are active. They assert their legitimacy under state law by claiming to be a skill game. There are no official statements from the state legislature or the attorney general that dispute this assertion.

Numerous international online poker, casino, and sportsbook sites accept custom from gamblers located in New Mexico.

The legal age for gambling in casinos in New Mexico is 21. Read our USA Gambling Ages guide

Legal Gambling Age in New Mexico

Gambling Activity	Legal Age
Casinos	21
Poker	21
Bingo	No age limit
Lottery Games	18
Horse-Racing / Dog racing	18
Pari-Mutuel betting	18

Who regulates Gambling in New Mexico?

Gambling in New Mexico is regulated by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board

Casinos in New Mexico

There are 29 Casinos, sportsbooks, cardrooms, race-tracks or cruise ships in New Mexico.