Following the introduction of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, tribes were able to negotiate with state governments to open land-based casinos. The majority of New Mexico casinos have since opened gaming facilities, with some pushing the idea of introducing sports betting options. Moreover, there are five racetrack-casino properties or ‘racinos’ located in New Mexico. These locations offer pari-mutuel wagering as well as slot machines, video poker, and numerous table games.
Aside from tribal casinos, there are not a lot of gaming options for players in New Mexico. If players want access to more popular gambling options, they can head to neighboring Nevada.
Is It Legal in New Mexico?
Online casinos are not regulated in New Mexico and are illegal. There are no legal options for residents or visitors to the state to play online casino games for real money. New Mexico has been slow in the past to accept various forms of gambling; it was one of the last states to legalize bingo and a state lottery. This may explain why there has been no massive push for online gambling options to be legalized in the state.
There has been some interest in expanding online gaming options for mobile betting. Some lawmakers have suggested introducing sports betting, online poker and online casino games for mobile would be a good idea. However, that has been no significant push for this with other matters taking priority.
As lawmakers in New Mexico continue to have mixed feelings about legal sports betting, being able to play online casinos for real money seems some time away. This is especially true when you consider most other states have embraced online sports betting over online casinos. It makes the prospect of being able to play online slots, video poker, and table games unlikely for the time being.
Although online casinos aren’t yet legal in the state of New Mexico, residents and visitors have several physical casinos to choose from. Over 25 casinos are located throughout the state, with some near highly populated areas such as Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Rio Rancho. Players can also visit one of the ‘racinos’ in the state, which offer pari-mutuel betting options.
Social Casinos in New Mexico
There are no regulated online casinos in New Mexico. There are stringent rules in the state against online gambling in any form, so the options for people who wish to play on the internet are limited. However, social casinos are available for players in New Mexico, so there are at least some casino options. Players can play these social casinos through their web browser or as a mobile app, and they feature all of the popular casino games such as slot machines, blackjack, and roulette.
Even though you can’t win money playing games at social casinos, the sites adopt a sweepstakes model that offers prizes that include real money jackpots. One such site available in New Mexico is Chumba casino. As this online casino operates as a sweepstakes site, it is allowed under New Mexico law.
Chumba casino offers numerous slot machines, a vast range of deposit options, and promotions. While online casinos remain illegal in New Mexico, sites such as Chumba casino are among the few online gambling options available for players in the state.
New Mexico Online Poker
There are currently no legal real money online poker games in New Mexico. In a similar story to online casinos, lawmakers in New Mexico have shown no real urgency to legalize online poker. Online poker games are legal in five states; however, New Mexico doesn’t look like it will be joining them anytime soon.
For now, the only online poker option in New Mexico is Global Poker. This is permitted as like its sister site Chumba casino; it uses a sweepstakes model. According to gambling laws in New Mexico, players are allowed to play online games via sites that operate a sweepstakes option; therefore, Global Poker is legal.
Besides online games, players can also visit one of the tribal casinos in the state where poker is permitted. Poker is allowed at both casinos and racinos, so there are many options available for players.
Bonuses & Promotions at New Mexico Casinos
Although online gambling in any form is prohibited in New Mexico, there may come a day when this will change. If and when online casinos become regulated, it is good to have tips on what to look out for to get your bankroll off to a great start. In the states where online casinos are legal, competition is fierce, with each brand looking to attract customers to sign up at their online casino site.
Online casinos will offer several bonuses and promotions aimed at new players. Residents and visitors to New Mexico can take advantage of these and claim a nice opening bonus before playing. A welcome bonus is the most common offer an online casino will have, and they typically appear in different forms. Some online casinos will offer a matched deposit bonus. These involve the casino offering to match the total of your first deposit up to a certain amount. For example, if you deposit $100, the casino will add $100 to your account, so you have already doubled your money.
Whatever bonus an online casino offers, always make sure you read the wagering requirements and terms and conditions associated with the offer. Wagering requirements will state how much you will need to bet before you can withdraw the bonus funds.
Another standard bonus to look out for is a no deposit bonus. These are likely to be smaller cash amounts than a matched deposit offer; however, you do not have to deposit any money to claim them.
Banking
Online casino websites provide easy to use payment methods to ensure their players can deposit and access funds quickly and efficiently. If you are used to using your debit/credit card, you can; however, it is worth checking with your bank as they may reject it because it will go down as an online gambling transaction. If online gambling options increase in New Mexico, new payment methods may become available.
The most common deposit and withdrawal options available at online casinos include:
- Visa/Mastercard
- PayPal
- Neteller
- Skrill
- ACH/E-check
- Online Bank transfer
- PayNearMe at 7-Eleven
- Play+
E-wallets such as PayPal offer instant deposits, so they are among the most popular online payment options. Withdrawal times will differ depending on which option you go with. All of the above will be options when online casinos in New Mexico are legalized.
New Mexico Gambling News
You will find the latest news regarding the future of online gambling and online casinos in New Mexico on this page. We will update you on any new state laws, the latest New Mexico casino news, and more.