Online Gambling Legalization in New Mexico
New Mexico regulates gambling through a combination of state laws and compacts with Native American tribes. The state permits various forms of gambling online, including tribal casinos, state-run lotteries, parimutuel betting on horse racing, and charitable gaming activities such as bingo games and raffles.
The primary regulatory body for gambling in New Mexico is the Gaming Control Board, which oversees non-tribal gambling operations. This board is responsible for issuing licenses, ensuring compliance with state laws, checking casino property, and enforcing regulations to maintain the integrity of online gaming activities within the state.
Tribal casinos operate under compacts negotiated between the state and individual tribes, allowing them to offer a wide range of casino games, including slot machines, table games, video poker machines, and other ten table games. These compacts outline the terms of gaming operations on tribal lands, including the types of games permitted, regulatory oversight, and revenue sharing with the state.
Sports betting is a more recent addition to the New Mexico gambling landscape, with some tribal casinos starting to offer sports wagering following the 2018 Supreme Court decision that overturned the federal ban on sports betting.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Fantasy sports betting is currently one of the few forms of legal online gambling in the state. That’s because instead of betting on the odds of a sports team winning, players will select their favorite athletes and the chances of touchdowns and other scores based on skill and prior knowledge. Popular DFS sites include DraftKings and FanDuel.
Online Horse Betting
Horse betting online is also legal in the state. However, it’s important to note that you need to be located at the physical racetrack to place a bet. Off-track betting is currently illegal. However, like the gaming floor of your favorite casino, New Mexico’s racinos offer great amenities like food, drinks, big screens to watch the race, and allow you to bet online so long as you’re located on the property.
Lottery
Although it took decades to approve, the New Mexico lottery is now permitted through ticket sales and scratch-offs. There are plenty of games to play, including New Mexico Powerball, NM Lottery Mega Millions, New Mexico Roadrunner Cash, New Mexico Lotto America, and more. These types of games allow you to win millions in prizes. While the state has an online lottery site, you cannot play games with the site as it is only informational.
Despite multiple efforts by lawmakers since 2023, online casino legislation has not gained much momentum in the state. A bill to legalize real money online casinos was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass the state legislature. While many other types of gambling are available in the state, the restriction of online casinos doesn’t seem to be an issue.
Real money online casino legalization is unlikely in New Mexico in the near term, as the state has remained largely silent on the issue while other Southwest states explore or expand online gambling. The legal online gambling options are Daily Fantasy Sports and online horse racing betting – tribal casinos maintain exclusive rights to in-person casino games and betting.
New Mexico Gambling Taxes
The first and most important fact is that withholding applies to both residents and nonresidents of New Mexico. Gambling winnings in this state are taxed as regular income at New Mexico’s progressive rates, which range from 1.5% to 5.90%. For lottery prizes over $5,000, the state withholds 6% for state taxes and 24% for federal taxes. What is also important, New Mexico requires a 6% withholding on gambling winnings when federal withholding is also required. As you can see, for winnings in New Mexico, both federal and state taxes are relevant.
Best Land-based Casinos in New Mexico
In New Mexico, you can visit traditional casinos. If you’re looking for the best New Mexico casino to plan a day or overnight trip, take a look at some options and popular destinations here.
Apache Nugget Casino
Junction, 537 US U.S. 550, Cuba, NM 87013This casino can offer you both slot machines (over 80 ones!) as instant win games and electronic table games, such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and others. The casino works from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, from Sunday through Wednesday, and from 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM from Thursday through Saturday.
Apache Nugget Casino is working on opening a restaurant at its location, and currently, its convenience store offers snacks, beverages, and grab-and-go items for the players. You might find news about this casino closing, and it’s true, but it successfully reopened on February 14, 2025.
Fire Rock Navajo Casino
249 U.S. Rte 66, Church Rock, NM 87311This casino offers to the gamblers more than 900 slots. Fire Rock Navajo Casino does not seem to have real money games of the table kind, but with such a wide choice of slot games, it might not be a problem.
While the types of games are limited, Fire Rock Navajo Casino has a variety of food option to players. One of them is Cheii’s restaurant, which offers authentic Navajo food, burgers, chili, nachos, salads, and mouth-watering appetizers, while the visitors can enjoy live sports games. Except for that, the casino also has a Navajo Food Court with American and authentic Navajo food for gamblers to choose.
Responsible Gambling
Any reputable casinos, no matter if they’re land-based or online ones, will support the idea of responsible gambling. To have fun with playing and avoiding any problems, you have to follow the one simple rule: set a limit. This is relevant for both the money and the time you spend gambling. Decide how much you can spend on the game without having troubles, even if you lose money. Choose how much time you can play games without regrets afterward. And if you need help, you can contact Problem Gambling Help in New Mexico or Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico.
Conclusion
Online casinos are not currently legal in New Mexico, so players cannot access licensed real-money casino sites. Instead, residents can enjoy legal gambling through tribal casinos, the state lottery, horse racing, and social or sweepstakes platforms. These alternatives still offer popular casino games like slots, table games, and live-dealer-style experiences, often paired with bonuses and promotional rewards. Until state laws change, choosing legal alternatives and staying updated on regulations is the safest way to enjoy casino gaming in New Mexico.
