New Mexico has a strange history with sports betting. They were the sixth state to legally take a sports bet, but have no legal betting measures in place. The entire situation is a gray area, which confuses people looking to bet in New Mexico.
Is Sports Betting Legal in New Mexico?
No, sports betting is not legal in New Mexico. However, sports betting isn’t illegal in New Mexico, if you bet in tribal casinos. In October 2018, Santa Ana Star Casino accepted a sports bet because it technically isn’t illegal, and the state hasn’t taken any action against accepting them. You can place bets in the following casinos:
Hilton Buffalo Thunder Casino (Santa Fe)
Inn of the Mountain Gods (Mescalero)
Isleta Resort & Casino (Albuquerque)
Route 66 Casino (Albuquerque)
Santa Ana Star Casino (Bernalillo)
They offer all of the major sports, and college sports are allowed as well. There are no mobile options or apps available right now, so visiting one of those locations is the only way to place a bet.
Is DraftKings Sports Betting Legal in New Mexico?
Although there are sports betting options in New Mexico, DraftKings is not one of them, unfortunately. While the DraftKings sportsbook will not accept bets in New Mexico, you can use DraftKings daily fantasy sports (DFS) and win money through that. It’s unclear if and when DraftKings will begin accepting sports bets in New Mexico, so DFS is their only presence at the moment.
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Why is Sports Betting Illegal in New Mexico?
The legal status of sports betting in New Mexico is murky. There’s no clear stance on its legality, and the casinos and government both seem content with the current arrangement, where casinos are accepting bets despite no legislation. With that said, the casinos may fight against any measures brought forth that would infringe on their sports betting revenue, such as legal mobile sportsbooks.
When Will New Mexico Sports Betting Start?
There is no timeframe or guarantee that New Mexico will expand sports betting within its borders. The loophole that casinos have taken advantage of, combined with New Mexico’s subsequent apathy towards closing it or discussing further options, indicate that they don’t have strong feelings towards sports betting expansion. It’s impossible to estimate when mobile sportsbooks will launch in New Mexico.
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Latest New Mexico Sports Betting News
September 9, 2022: The New Mexico Lobos will welcome Boise State to University Stadium as they seek to improve to 2-0.
September 10, 2022: New Mexico State is 0-2, but they have a date in El Paso, Texas, against UTEP, who is also winless, with a chance to get their first win out of the way.
