Recommended New Mexico Betting Sites
New Mexico Sportsbook Locations
There are now five retail sportsbooks in New Mexico, each located within a Native American casino.
The first sportsbook opened in October 2018 and four others have followed suit since.
The current list of New Mexico sportsbooks now includes:
Legal New Mexico sports betting launched when the Pueblo of Santa Ana announced that they had reached a deal with sports betting services provider USBookmaking to begin taking wagers at the Santa Ana Star Casino & Hotel.
This news came as a surprise because there was no pending legislation at the time to authorize sports betting in New Mexico.
However, the tribe was able to open sportsbooks on its own due to a 2015 gaming compact with the state that authorizes Class III gaming, which the tribes say includes retail sports betting.
Under this interpretation of the law, tribal casinos didn't need authorization from the state to offer sports betting on casino property.
Santa Ana Star Casino was the first to announce that it would begin taking sports wagers on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018.
Buffalo Thunder Casino just north of Santa Fe followed suit in March 2019 to become the second New Mexico sportsbook, just in time for March Madness.
Additional New Mexico sportsbooks have opened since then, despite lawmakers not formally authorizing sports betting.
Will Tribal Sportsbooks Prompt Lawmakers to Legalize Online Sports Betting in New Mexico?
There are no indications that New Mexico plans to pass legislation formally legalizing retail sportsbooks or online sports betting apps.
Currently, the state appears content with allowing the current New Mexico sports betting status quo to continue, and tribal casinos may continue to operate their sportsbooks.
In 2018, shortly before the sportsbook at the Santa Ana Star opened, the Office of the Attorney General commented that it would:
“closely monitor New Mexico’s tribal compacts and work with the legislature for proper statutory and regulatory oversight to require responsible gaming and enhanced integrity to create an even playing field for all.”
So far, New Mexico lawmakers haven't passed regulatory legislation, and the Office of the Attorney General hasn't shown an interest in taking legal action against tribal sportsbooks.
New Mexico Daily Fantasy Sports
New Mexico law does not address the legality daily fantasy sports, and the state does not regulate operators. Nonetheless, all major DFS brands serve the New Mexico market without issue. For a full rundown of the legal situation, which DFS apps we recommend in New Mexico, and the latest legal updates, see our dedicated NM DFS guide here:
New Mexico Prediction Markets
Online prediction markets are available in New Mexico and allow users to trade yes/no contracts on a wide variety of topics, spanning sports, politics and elections, economic indicators, and even weather predictions.
However, New Mexico authorities actively oppose sports prediction markets. In June 2026, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued Kalshi, contending that Kalshi's sports event contracts constitute illegal sports betting and seeking an injunction.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) sued New Mexico a short time later, asserting exclusive federal jurisdiction over CFTC-registered exchanges and seeking an injunction to prevent the state from enforcing its gambling laws against prediction market operators.
The case remains ongoing. So far, all major prediction market apps remain active in New Mexico and still offer sports event contracts.
Several tribes have also filed suit against Kalshi for allegedly violating tribal gaming compacts and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) by offering sports event contracts on tribal lands. That lawsuit is also pending.
New Mexico Horse Racing Betting
New Mexico is home to a vibrant horse racing industry with numerous race tracks in operation today that host some of the nation’s higher-echelon races.
For some perspective on the size of the industry, horse races in New Mexico support thousands of jobs across the state and are believed to contribute more than half a billion dollars to the state’s economy between the many trainers, breeders, racetrack employees, and pari-mutuel wagering.
Online horse racing betting in New Mexico is also widely available via reputable and well-established operators.
Fans can read more about horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in New Mexico:
New Mexico Online Gambling
All gambling in New Mexico is considered illegal unless specifically permitted by law. This approach leaves no question about whether or not an activity in NM is legal. If it doesn’t take place at a licensed casino or racetrack, it is unlawful. This extends to the internet.
However, sweepstakes gambling sites accept players from New Mexico and offer an experience very similar to online casinos. For more about online casinos in New Mexico and which sweepstakes sites are available, see our dedicated guide here:
New Mexico Lottery
The New Mexico Lottery was established by Senate Bill 853 in 1995. Since then, the lottery has helped roughly 150,000 students attend public colleges and technical colleges with funds earned from ticket sales.
To date, the lottery has raised more than $1 billion for education in New Mexico.
Read more about the New Mexico Lottery online here:
Responsible Gambling in New Mexico
New Mexico provides comprehensive support through a network of state agencies and non-profit organizations, with a focus on both commercial racetracks and tribal gaming facilities.
- New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling (NMCPG): Call 1-800-572-1142 for free, confidential problem gambling help. This 24-hour crisis hotline is operated by local staff and offers immediate intervention and treatment referrals.
- Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico (RGANM): Call 1-888-696-2440 to speak to a qualified counselor 24/7. The RGANM funds free counseling and education programs across the state. They maintain a directory of trained therapists specialized in gambling addiction.
- NCPG New Mexico: Residents can also call or text 1-800-522-4700 for national-level support and resources. Visit the NCPG New Mexico website for information about local resources and Gamblers Anonymous meetings.
New Mexico Sports Betting Self-Exclusion
New Mexico maintains an effective voluntary self-exclusion program spanning licensed racetrack-casinos and tribal casinos. Self-excluding from tribal casinos also encompasses retail sportsbooks by extension.
The fastest way to self-exclude from racetracks, tribal casinos, or both in New Mexico is to:
- Download the self-exclusion request form from the NMGCB website
- Call the NMGCB at 505-841-9700 to schedule an appointment with an NMGCB agent at a location near you
- Bring your completed self-exclusion form (or a blank form if you’d like assistance) and your driver’s license or state-issued identification card
New Mexico Sports Betting FAQ
Wes Burns has more than a decade's worth of experience as a writer, researcher and analyst in the legal gambling industry and is co-founder of BettingUSA.com. As a former professional online poker player, Wes approaches his work from the viewpoint of players.