Jon Young is a writer and magazine editor with over 12 years' experience in the gaming sector. He has written on everything from poker and slots to casino, sports betting and mobile gambling. When not trying to take down the Mega Moolah jackpot he can be found playing poker tournaments in casinos.
More than 30 years working in online gaming and sports journalism. I hope to explain the growing US online casino market to help those new to internet gambling have a better understanding.
While online casinos are still illegal in New Mexico, the state does have plenty of legal social casinos. These sites are a great alternative to illegal offshore casino sites, which come with plenty of risk and headaches.
Top New Mexico Online Casinos
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98
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1150+
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25+
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0
WOW Vegas is a highly reputable social casino that lets players purchase Gold Coins (WOW Coins) and win sweeps coins that can be redeemed for real-world prizes. Players will also find a myriad of slots available from popular providers like Betsoft and Pragmatic Play.
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GDC
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98
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900+
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15+
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5+
McLuck is an exciting social casino with a wide range of casino games available from industry giants like Pragmatic Play, Relax Gaming, NetEnt, and more. New slots with special features like 'Hold and Win' are always being added to their growing portfolio.
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97
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1350+
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15+
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0
For a casino-style gaming experience without the cost, High 5 is the place to play. Launched in 1995 and available in the US, this social casino gives you the chance to play authentic 1,200+ online slot games for fun.
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95
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70
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20
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0
Crown Coins Casino is the perfect social casino for players who seek variety. It’s sleek design makes it easy for players to access and play slots and other games. You’ll find a big collection of jackpot games at the operator’s site.
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93
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175+
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0
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0
RealPrize is a very beginner-friendly social and sweeps casino that provides players with tips along their 'journey' thanks to Perzi the cartoon superman gift box.
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Gambling.com users rating of this casino site out of 100
98
Slots
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800+
Jackpot Slots
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0
Live Casino Games
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15+
Stakes.us is one of the more established social casinos that is always looking for new ways to entertain and reward players. They also have one of the widest collection of games available - from slots to poker.
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GAMBLINGCOM
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96
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140+
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30+
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0
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Yes
Players who join Funrize Casino will receive 100 free daily promotional entries which means playing more games for free, and the chance to reveal some exciting prizes. For the more adventurous, Funrize also offers a tournament mode.
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Ongoing Jackpot Races
Over 750 Titles in the Game Library
Social Live Casino Available
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Gambling.com users rating of this casino site out of 100
96
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850+
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The number of Progressive Jackpot Slot Games available
20+
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5+
Hello Millions uses its eye-catching design to stand out from the competition. That's not all, as it offers hundreds of titles in its game library and numerous ongoing promotions.
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Our Rating
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90
Slots
The total number of all Online Slot Games available
750+
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The number of Progressive Jackpot Slot Games available
45+
Live Casino Games
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0
Zula Casino, is an online social casino with sweepstakes elements, that is currently live in all US states exluding Georgia, Idaho, & Washington. With a generous welcome bonus and unique style of games, you'll have plenty of options to win prizes!
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96
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1020+
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0
Live Casino Games
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0
Pulsz is a rapidly growing social casino that allows players to join regular promotions to claim free coins. There are also two progressive Gold Coin jackpots each week, with a minimum jackpot of GC 1,000,000.
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Ongoing Challenges with GCs and SCs
Live Dealer Section Available
Over 600 Premium Slot Games
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Our Rating
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95
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400+
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2+
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5+
Punt.com is a social casino with an intuitive platform that’s easy to use. Choose from over 500 titles, including a live dealer section. Explore games from top providers such as Pragmatic and participate in ongoing challenges.
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Spree Prize Fiesta
Live Casino Available
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Our Rating
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90
Slots
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700+
Jackpot Slots
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0
Live Casino Games
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3+
Spree social casino offers an amazing selection of slot games and brings a live casino section to the table. Claim daily bonuses and participate in raffles and tournaments at this operator’s website, which is available on all operating systems.
Must be 18+ to participate. Void in ID, LA, MI, MT, NV and WA.
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Low 1x Playthrough Requirement
24/7 Live Chat Available
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Our Rating
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96
Slots
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750
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30
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30
The Money Factory is a new but fast-growing sweepstakes casino with a diverse range of games from the top software developers. This also includes live dealer games like Gravity Blackjack and Roulette Lite.
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92
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184
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10+
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0
Hard Rock Casino is a popular chain of cafes, hotels & casinos globally. Its social casino product is available in numerous US states and features hundreds of games.
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Our Rating
Gambling.com users rating of this casino site out of 100
91
Slots
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250+
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35+
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0
Players at Fortune Coins Casino can play the top free games and slots using Gold Coins and Fortune Coins, the latter of which can be redeemed for real money prizes.
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95
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120+
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30+
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0
NoLimit Coins social casino features a hand-picked collection of titles for online casino lovers in the US. Participate in daily promos and tournaments to win gold coins and super coins.
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95
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115+
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25+
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0
Tao Fortune is a social casino that provides a fresh take on playing with both 'Tao Coins' and 'Secret Coins', the latter of which can be redeemed for real prizes. For instance, players can break the Piggy Bank each week to get free Secret Coins.
Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, and WA.
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Our Rating
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94
Slots
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650+
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5+
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0
Sweepstastic is a lively social and sweepstakes casino that offers players daily bonuses and the chance to play with SC and win real-world prizes including cash, gift cards, and merchandise.
Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in ID, MI, MT, NV, TN and WA,
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Multiplayer Online Bingo Games Available
Large Community of Players for Socializing
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Our Rating
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95
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900+
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1+
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0
ulsz Bingo doesn't just offer a wide range of bingo games, but users will also be able to play arcade games and various slots including Megaways, Tumbling Reels, Hold and Win, and more.
Must be 18+ to participate. T&Cs Apply. Void in ID, MI, MT, and WA
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Regular Social Media Giveaways
Accepts both FIAT and Cryptocurrency
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93
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325+
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25+
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0
Available in 46 US states, Scrooge Casino provides a broad spectrum of games which include crash-style games like Red Baron, Space XY, Limbo XY, Minesweepers XY, and more.
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Our Rating
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96
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850+
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70+
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25+
BetRivers.net is a dual sweepstakes casino and social sportsbook with a stable of great slots from leading providers like Pragmatic Play and NetEnt, including a number of live dealer games. There are also regular slots tournaments to join with prizes up for grabs.
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94
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310+
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5+
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0
Jefebet is a new social that is quickly gaining traction, particularly among US Hispanic players. They offer a generous welcome bonus and provide many ways to earn sweeps coins.
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50+ Jackpot Slots Available
Live Chat for GC Bundle Purchasers
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Our Rating
Gambling.com users rating of this casino site out of 100
92
Slots
The total number of all Online Slot Games available
800+
Jackpot Slots
The number of Progressive Jackpot Slot Games available
50+
Live Casino Games
The total number of Live Dealer casino games available
0
Mega Bonanza provides players with a very sleek and user-intuitive platform. Because it's so easy to navigate through the 800+ slots by slot category and game provider type, players will easily be able to find their next favorite.
Online gambling in New Mexico remains illegal both for casino games and sports betting. Legislation aimed at changing these laws has failed to gain momentum.
The state seems very intent on limiting its New Mexico gambling options to land-based tribal casinos and racetracks. In the meantime, social casinos remain perfectly legal because they don’t technically qualify as gambling.
Top social casinos like Chumba provide players with a number of gold coins and sweeps coins once a player signs up. These are free and don’t require any sort of deposit on the player’s end. Social casinos include online slot machine games based on the same ones you’d play at any land-based casino, as well as online table games like blackjack.
Social casino users can win real money by entering tournaments or playing games with sweeps coins. These contests count as sweepstakes rather than gambling, resulting in real cash prizes and other rewards.
When to Expect New Mexico to Legalize Online Gambling
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like New Mexico will move to legal online casino gambling or mobile sports wagering anytime soon. That’s why residents looking for online casino action should stick exclusively to social casinos and avoid offshore casino sites.
These illegal offshore casino sites come with plenty of risk. They’re unregulated and can give players trouble withdrawing funds in a timely fashion. Bettors have no recourse to recover those funds should the site get shut down.
The offshore online slot machines and casino games aren’t vetted like the legal versions, so there’s no way of knowing how far the odds are skewed in the house’s favor. And some of these sites are actually an additional revenue stream for organized crime and even shadier dealings.
Land-Based Casinos in New Mexico
Casino
City
Address
Hours of Operation
Apache Nugget Casino
Cuba
Junction 537-US, US-550
4:30 a.m.-12 a.m.
Billy the Kid Casino
Ruidoso
26225 US-70
10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino
Santa Fe
30 Buffalo Thunder Trail
Open 24 hours
Casino Apache
Mescalero
25845 US-70
Open 24 hours
Cities of Gold Casino
Santa Fe
10 Cities of Gold Rd
9 a.m.-12 a.m.
Dancing Eagle Casino
Paraje
167 Casa Blanca Rd
Open 24 hours
Downs at Albuquerque
Albuquerque
145 Louisiana Blvd
10 a.m.-4 a.m.
Fire Rock Navajo Casino
Church Rock
249 Rte 66
Open 24 hours
Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino
Mescalero
287 Carrizo Canyon Rd
Open 24 hours
Isleta Resort & Casino
Albuquerque
11000 Broadway Blvd
Open 24 hours
Northern Edge Casino
Farmington
2752 Indian Service Rd.
8 a.m.-4 a.m.
Ohkay Hotel Casino
Ohkay Owingeh
68 NM-291
Open 24 hours
Palace West
Albuquerque
2 NM-45
8 a.m.-2 a.m.
Route 66 Casino Hotel
Albuquerque
14500 Central Ave SW
Open 24 hours
Sandia Casino
Albuquerque
30 Rainbow Rd
Open 24 hours
Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel
Bernalillo
54 Jemez Canyon Dam Rd
Open 24 hours
Santa Claran Hotel Casino
Espanola
460 N Riverside Dr.
Open 24 hours
Sky City Casino
Acoma Pueblo
7 Sky City Rd Dr.
Open 24 hours
SunRay Park & Casino
Farmington
39 Rd 5568
11 a.m.-4 a.m.
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino
Sunland Park
1200 Futurity Dr.
10 a.m.-1 a.m.
Taos Mountain Casino
Taos
700 Veterans Hwy
8 a.m.-2 a.m.
Wild Horse Casino & Hotel
Dulce
13603 US-64
9 a.m.-2 a.m.
Zia Park Casino Hotel & Racetrack
Hobbs
3901 W Millen Dr.
Open 24 hours
Apache Nugget Casino
This casino property opened in 2004 and features more than 200 slot machines. It’s just off the highway adjacent a travel center and includes a smoke/gift shop as well as other travel amenities.
Billy the Kid Casino
Billy the Kid Casino includes more than 300 slot machines and is connected to the Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Visitors can also enjoy simulcast racing and additional live events like the All American CowboyFest.
Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino
There are tons of options for legal gambling in New Mexico at this property, which is connected to the Hilton Buffalo Thunder and Homewood Suites hotels. The gaming floor has more than 1,200 slot machines and standard table games like craps, roulette and blackjack. There’s also a poker room, horse racing book and 19 Keno games.
Casino Apache
New Mexico bettors will find plenty of slot machines, video poker options and table games like roulette, blackjack and Texas Hold ‘Em at this property located on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Smokey B’s Grill is the lone food option and open from 7 a.m.-1 a.m.
Cities of Gold Casino
This hotel and casino in New Mexico offers a variety of slot machines and daily bingo games with payouts up to $10,000 for the jackpot game. Check for daily promotions such as Senior Thursday and Guest Appreciation Day.
Dancing Eagle Casino
The Dancing Eagle gaming area includes slot machines and daily bingo games, with free Players Club membership and additional promotions. It is part of a larger travel center that includes an RV park, grocery store, gas station and more.
The Downs Racetrack & Casino
The Downs offers live horse racing in New Mexico as well as simulcast betting. The gaming area includes more than 700 slot machines and runs promotions like slot tournaments and the virtual Downs Derby. Dining options include the upscale Crown Room as well as a food court.
Fire Rock Navajo Casino
The gaming area at this New Mexico casino has classic table games like roulette, blackjack, Spanish 21 and craps. First Rock Navajo Casino also has more than 1,100 slot machines as well as bingo games. Cheii’s Restaurant and a food court are available for dining on property.
Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino
Visitors to this expansive New Mexico casino resort have plenty of options on and off the gaming floor. The casino includes a full sportsbook for legal sports betting in New Mexico, tons of slot machines and table games like roulette, craps, blackjack, Let it Ride and baccarat, bingo, a poker room and more. There’s also a championship 18-hole golf course, seven restaurants and a full spa.
Isleta Resort & Casino
Located just a few miles south of downtown Albuquerque, the Isleta is a large resort property with more than 1,700 slot machines and tons of table games like blackjack, roulette, high card flush and more. It also includes a sportsbook, poker room, bingo and 18-hole golf course.
Northern Edge Casino
This Navajo casino has plenty of options for gambling in New Mexico. More than 750 slot machines line a gaming floor that also includes blackjack, roulette and min-baccarat. Gamers can also fuel up at the Cedar Bow restaurant and food court.
Ohkay Hotel Casino
This stay-and-play casino includes 700 slot machines, along with electronic table games like blackjack and poker. It also has a buffet, cantina, coffee shop and the Double O Bar and Nightclub for the after-hours crowd.
Palace West
This is the only non-smoking casino in New Mexico, located just south of its affiliate Isleta Resort. The Palace West is a much smaller environment with bar service and a variety of slot machines.
Route 66 Casino Hotel
This large property includes a full sportsbook for legal sports wagering, more than 1,300 slot machines and table games like craps, blackjack and roulette. The hotel has 154 rooms and suites while dining options include a buffet and sports bar.
Sandia Casino
The Sandia Casino resort is a full package for gamblers, with a massive offering of more than 1,750 slot machines and a solid offering of table games. Stay-and-play packages, including rounds at the 18-hole Sandia Golf Club, are readily available.
Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel
The gaming floor at this hotel property includes more than 1,600 slot machines, table games like craps, roulette, blackjack, high card flush, and a sportsbook. Additionally, the Santa Ana Star has a bowling alley, comedy club and six restaurants including Juniper Steakhouse and the Feast Buffet.
Santa Claran Hotel Casino
The 27,000 square-foot gaming floor has more than 650 slots and video gaming machines with plenty of high-stakes options. There’s also the Grill at Santa Claran and a coffee shop. The 122-room hotel includes spaces for large group meetings.
Sky City Casino
Gaming options at the Sky City Casino include slot machines, table games like roulette, blackjack and craps and a 375-seat bingo hall. The hotel has plenty of options for rooms and suites and includes a pool, gym and RV park.
SunRay Park & Casino
The Sunray offers live horse racing and simulcast betting to complement its gaming area. The casino has more than 400 slots and video poker machines, as well as the Sportz Arena for food and drinks.
Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino
The racetrack hosts an annual Sunland Derby Day with more than $1.4 million in prize purses. The casino area includes slot machines and electronic table games, while the 78-room hotel has four restaurants.
Taos Mountain Casino
This New Mexico casino in the heart of Taos has more than 200 slot machines as well as video poker and keno. There’s an extensive Buffalo Rewards Club for frequent guests and Sluggers Diner is open Monday-Saturday.
Wild Horse Casino & Hotel
The Wild Horse has a variety of options with slot machines and electronic gaming. There’s also a full hotel and shopping area for stay-and-play gamblers.
Zia Park Casino Hotel & Racetrack
This expansive casino property in Hobbs, has more than 750 slot machines and electronic games. The horse track has plenty of betting windows for quick, easy wagers, while dining options include the Centennial Steakhouse and Turf Club Restaurant.
Which Casinos in New Mexico Will Offer Online Gambling?
It’s impossible to tell because legal online gambling in New Mexico isn’t coming anytime soon.
Should the state ever move in that direction, it seems likely the existing tribal casinos and pari-mutuel racinos would have first crack. New Mexico has limited all gambling options in the state to these entities and would likely stand by that if they ever decide to change their gambling laws to allow legal online gambling. Still, that doesn't mean that players wouldn't be able to get promotions similar to NJ online casino bonuses. Brands would immediately start competing to offer the best online casino bonus imaginable.
Online Casino Apps to Be Available in New Mexico
If New Mexico ever passes legislation to legalize online gambling, casino apps would most certainly follow. Online casino apps are increasingly popular in states where online gambling is legal. A great example of this are the NJ casino apps.
Once a player has installed the online casino, they immediately have access to online slots and table games like blackjack and roulette at their fingertips. Popular operators like Caesars Casino, BetMGM Casino, 888casino, William Hill and others have partnered with land-based casinos in other states to provide these apps for easy legal online gambling access.
Online Casino Games to Launch in New Mexico
While New Mexico online gambling hopefuls might be kept waiting for a while, the following online casino games would be available as soon as the regulatory process is completed.
Online Slots
These work just like the land-based casino slot machines. The only difference is you’re pressing a button rather than pulling a lever and your favorite machine is always open, with no waiting required.
Social casinos are rich with online slot options and serve as a valuable alternative.
Roulette
Online roulette is even easier to play than the land-based version. No reaching over the table to place chips or fighting for room at the wheel. Simply click your bets on red/black, even/odd, high/low or individual numbers and watch the virtual wheel spin.
Online Poker
Online poker remains illegal in New Mexico. Online poker sites are similar to land-based poker rooms at various casinos with one key difference – you can’t actually see anyone at the table. That means you can’t read faces or pick up on verbal or physical tells.
Instead, online poker requires careful monitoring of betting patterns in order to get a feel for the different types of players at the table.
Lottery
New Mexico has a thriving state-run lottery game, but tickets can only be purchased at retail locations. Online lottery is still illegal. These online lottery games work just like the ones you’ll find at said retail stores. Once a player signs up through the state-run lottery site, they can purchase tickets for a number of different games to try and hit the jackpot.
Online Blackjack
Just like online poker, online blackjack is still illegal in New Mexico. It’s a popular game in states with legal online gambling because it’s so similar to the land-based version. The odds remain the same on every card combination and you can wager just like you would at a land-based casino.
The pros for online blackjack include quick hands with no one else at the table and the ability to practice and understand how to bet various scenarios in a short period of time.
Live Dealer
Even some states with legal online gambling fail to offer live dealer games, so it’s hard to say if they would be available should online gaming come to New Mexico. These games work just like online blackjack and roulette but feature a live dealer handing out cards in front of a camera at a control center.
There’s no major benefit here unless you really prefer the optics of a real person turning cards instead of a computer, and options are limited across the country.
The best paying online casinos continue to add payment options, making things much easier on players in states where this is legal. Should online gambling in New Mexico ever join the group, they can expect the same variety.
PayPal is accepted at most top online casinos and is very easy for those who have accounts. Simply transfer money from your PayPal balance to the online casino and you’re all set. New PayPal users can create an account in a matter of minutes and follow the same steps.
The Play+ card is a similar alternative and serves as an online gift card of sorts. Players first transfer funds to the Play+ card and then deposit to the online casinos using that Play+ balance.
Debit/credit cards are accepted at most social casinos, but some users still have problems with declined payments even in states with legal online gambling. Policy varies at different banks, so consult yours if you run into any problems using this as your preferred method.
Bank transfers and Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments are also accepted at most legal online casinos and social casinos.
Some social casinos like Chumba also accept a variety of e-wallet payments like Skrill. This is an easy additional step in which users first add their deposit funds to the e-wallet, then pay at the casino sites using their e-wallet accounts.
What Bonus Offers Can I Expect in New Mexico?
If legal online gambling ever comes to New Mexico, players should make sure to check out a few options and see which type of bonus offers and promotions they can claim.
Some sites offer matched deposits for first-time users and double the size of the initial deposit by up to $500 or more. It basically doubles your bankroll from the get-go, though some will require the player to wager a certain amount before they can access the bonus funds.
Free spins are good for online slot machine enthusiasts. These are basically tokens that players can use for free credits at the slot machine. Any winnings will go directly to the account, while losing spins won’t cost the player anything.
Refer-a-friend bonuses let players benefit from bringing new users to the online casino. The new player would enter a code while registering and the referring player will then receive free play funds in their account. Some of these might require the new player to wager a certain amount before the other can access the funds. With all bonuses, be sure to read the terms and conditions.
Online Gambling in New Mexico
Gambling was illegal across New Mexico in the pre-World War II era. That all changed when the state legalized on-track pari-mutuel betting in 1947. The first legal horse races were held at what is now called Ruidoso Downs Race Track and the industry continues to thrive.
That remained the only legal gambling option prior to the 1995 New Mexico Lottery Act, which began the state-run lottery program that now generates around $40-60 million in annual revenue.
The Federal Government legalized tribal casinos in 1987, and New Mexico tribal casinos followed in 1996 after years of negotiations.
Racinos – horse racing tracks that can provide electronic gaming – were first legalized in 1998 as the Sunland Park and Ruidoso Downs racing tracks fought for more options once the tribal casinos were built.
The Santa Ana Casino Star Casino & Hotel opened the state’s first retail sportsbook in 2018 just months after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act and gave states the option to legalize sports gambling.
Timeline of Gambling Legislation in New Mexico
New Mexico unexpectedly takes its first sports bet, becoming the sixth state to do so and the first state to take a legal wager without a formal act from the legislature.
State officials formally regulate bingo for prizes, becoming one of the most recent states to oversee the games that are now commonplace across the country.
Motivated by the growth of Native American casinos, state officials approve five racinos, a major development in a state without many significant gaming options.
Nearly a decade after federal rules opened up casino gambling options on tribal lands, New Mexico’s first tribal gaming centers begin opening their doors. More than 20 such casinos open in the next 20 years.
New Mexico approves a state-sanctioned lottery, becoming one of the more recent lottery adopters in the nation and breaking nearly half a century without any significant gaming authorizations.
Pari-mutuel horse track wagering is legalized.
Daily Fantasy Sports Betting in New Mexico
Daily Fantasy Sports are legal in New Mexico. No one has challenged the assertion of popular fantasy sports operators like DraftKings and FanDuel that they run games of skill rather than gambling, and they are free to take cash entry fees across the state.
Horse Betting in New Mexico
Pari-mutuel horse racing betting was the first form of gambling legalized in New Mexico. It’s been thriving since the mid 1940s and currently includes six racing tracks across the state. Four of them operate as racinos, with additional electronic gaming options in the casino area.
Simulcast betting is also available for off-track wagering at these sites. Off-track horse betting is the only form of legal online gambling in New Mexico.
Off-track horse race betting is currently the only option for legal online gambling in New Mexico, though social casinos are legal, too.
What is the legal gambling age in New Mexico?
The legal gambling age in New Mexico is 18 for horse racing and lottery. The legal age for casino gaming is 21.
What forms of gambling are allowed in New Mexico?
Tribal casino gambling, sports gambling at tribal casinos, pari-mutuel horse racing, off-track betting, lottery and Daily Fantasy Sports are legal in New Mexico.
Why do some sites have online casino offers in New Mexico?
Social casinos are a great alternative to illegal offshore casinos, and many sites advertise for top social casino sites like Chumba. And real money casino site advertising in New Mexico is an offshore and unregulated site that should be avoided.
Where can I gamble in New Mexico?
Gamblers in New Mexico can place wagers at tribal casinos, sportsbooks at tribal casinos, six horse racing tracks and retail locations where lottery tickets are sold.