Sports betting in New Mexico is, to put it mildly, a complicated situation: the state has not actually passed a law that legalized sports betting, but the 2015 Indian Gaming Compact between New Mexico and the state’s 18 native tribes allows for “Class III gaming” on tribal grounds.
Since sports betting is considered “Class III gaming,” the Tamaya Nation’s Pueblo of Santa Ana took this opportunity, as the Santa Ana Star Casino and Hotel opened their own sportsbook on October 16, 2018.
New Mexico has yet to even introduce any legislation even considering the legalization of sports betting, so for the foreseeable future the only “legal” sports betting can occur on tribal grounds within the state.
Is sports betting legal in New Mexico?
No… but yes. No legislation has been passed, or even introduced, to formally legalize sports betting across New Mexico, but a loophole in the 2015 Indian Gaming Compact allows for “Class III gaming” on tribal lands, which sports betting falls under. Under that clause, it is possible to wager on sports in New Mexico – if you’re on tribal grounds.
Where can I bet at New Mexico sportsbooks?
The only place that has followed through on that portion of the compact was the Santa Ana Star Casino and Hotel in Bernalillo. They opened their own sportsbook, powered by USBookmaking, in October 2018 and still stand as the only location in the state where it is not illegal to bet on sports.
DFS, however, does not fall under the same jurisdiction as sports betting and is available to play across the state, through all the major operators.
What about mobile sports betting apps in New Mexico?
The sportsbook at Santa Ana Star Casino and Hotel does not have an online component, so as of right now there is no mobile sports betting options in New Mexico.