New Mexico Online Sports Betting Guide 2024
Online sports betting is not legal in New Mexico, but there are still opportunities to engage in sports betting at select locations within the state. The Land of Enchantment might not be the first state you think of for a vibrant betting scene, but understanding New Mexico’s betting laws is essential whether you’re a resident or planning a visit.
On this page, you’ll learn about the legal landscape of sports betting in New Mexico, identify licensed retail sportsbooks, and discover strategies to enhance your wagering experience in the heart of the American Southwest. Let’s dive in!
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Discover the laws and regulations governing sports betting in New Mexico.
- Find out the latest news around sports betting legalization in New Mexico.
Best Sports Betting Sites in New Mexico
With the strong opposition facing gambling expansion in New Mexico, it is uncertain when the state will legalize sports betting on mobile. But you don’t have to wait until then!
We recommend playing at sports sweepstakes for a similar experience to traditional online sportsbooks. A sweepstake bookmaker is a social online sportsbook that allows you to make sports betting picks and predictions and win cash prizes and other rewards.
Here are our top for legal sweepstakes sportsbooks in New Mexico.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in New Mexico?
No, online sports betting is not legal in New Mexico. While the state permits sports betting, it is limited to retail betting at tribal casino sportsbooks.
New Mexico is the sixth US state to legally accept a sports bet. However, unlike many other US states where sports betting is legal, New Mexico does not have established legal frameworks or regulations for retail sports betting or online wagering.
This situation arises from a 1988 compact between the New Mexico government and Native American tribes, allowing tribes to offer Class III gaming, which includes sports betting.
After the US Supreme Court invalidated PASPA in 2018, the tribes started offering sports betting legally at their casinos. Unfortunately, the compact does not cover mobile wagering, so you won’t find any legal online betting app available in New Mexico.
How to Bet on Sports in New Mexico
With sports betting available at a number of tribal New Mexico casinos, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to placing a wager on your favorite team or sport.
Our step-by-step guide below details how to start betting in the Land of Enchantment:
- Visit a Sportsbook at a Tribal Casino: The first step is to locate a tribal casino offering a retail sportsbook near your area. Keep in mind that not all tribal casinos in New Mexico offer sports betting.
- Get a Betting Sheet: Upon entering the sportsbook, you will see the rotation number of odds and lines offered by the sportsbook on large boards or display screens. Check out the options and grab a betting slip from the sportsbook counter or kiosk.
- Fill out your slip: Clearly write or select the game you want to wager on, the type of bet you wish to place, and your betting amount. Thereafter, proceed to the sportsbook staff to submit your sheet. You can also read out your picks to the staff.
- Confirm your ticket: Once the staff have processed and submitted your bet, they will give you a printed ticket as proof of your wager. Ensure you confirm the details on the ticket to see if the staff input the details correctly. Keep the ticket safe, as you will need to present it to the cashier to receive your winnings if your bet wins.
Popular Sports and Teams in New Mexico Betting Scene
New Mexico is home to major sports collegiate teams, professional squads, and minor league clubs that compete at high levels. Let’s look at some of them below.
| Sport | Team | League | Descrption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Football Basketball Baseball Tennis | University of New Mexico Lobos (college) | NCAA Division 1 (Mountain West Conference) | One of the most popular teams in NM, the Lobos’ mens’ basketball team had an undefeated run in 2022. |
| Football Basketball Volleyball Baseball Softball | New Mexico State Aggies (college) | NCAA Division 1 (South Eastern Conference) | In the opening weekend of the 2024 season, the Aggies set the record for the largest opening weekend in NM State baseball history. |
| Soccer | New Mexico United | USL Championship | NMU, founded June 6, 2018, plays at Isotopes Park (13,500 capacity) and often sells out home games. |
| Ice Hockey | New Mexico Ice Wolves | North American Hockey League’s South Division | A Tier II junior ice hockey team, the Wolves finished 1st of 8 in the 2023-24 season. |
The Impact of Local Teams on Sports Betting
With teams like the Lobos and the Aggies consistently drawing near-sold-out crowds for their home games, it is clear that New Mexicans love and support their local sports club. However, this love affair is tempered by laws that prohibit wagering on in-state college sports teams.
Whether they are playing home or away, New Mexicans are not permitted to wager on their college teams within state lines. As a result, the popularity of these college sports teams in New Mexico has a limited impact on the sports betting choices of the state’s residents.
However, New Mexico United and New Mexico Ice Wolves offer NM sports fans alternative options for betting on local teams. On-field and off-field happenings in these teams, such as winning streaks, injuries, trades, and rivalries, can influence the wagering decisions of the state’s bettors.
Are There More Gambling Options in New Mexico?
You are in luck if you seek alternative betting options to sports wagering. New Mexico has various forms of gambling available to residents and visitors.
Here are some of them:
- Casino: Casino gambling had long been legalized before sports betting in New Mexico. The tribal casinos in the state offer various games, including slot machines, poker, and table games.
- Horse Racing: You can watch and wager on live horse racing events at various tracks in the state, including Sunland Park and the Ruidoso Downs at Albuquerque.
- Daily Fantasy Sports: Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is legal in New Mexico, with platforms like DraftKings Fantasy and FanDuel available for enthusiasts, adding excitement to the state’s gaming landscape.
- Lottery: You can also buy tickets for popular national lotteries like Powerball and Mega Millions in the state.
Tips and Strategies for New Mexico Bettors
If you want to consistently approach the cashier with winning tickets, there are some tips you need to adopt while betting on sports in the state of New Mexico. Let’s look at the most important ones below:
- Research Thoroughly: Base your decisions on facts rather than passion. Analyze team statistics, head-to-head results, and recent news to make informed bets. While this doesn’t guarantee victory, it significantly enhances your odds.
- Understand Betting Options: Familiarize yourself with the sportsbook offerings, such as point spreads, moneyline, and over/under bets. Understanding different bet types is crucial for successful sports betting.
- Leverage Promotions: Not many bettors know this, but retail sportsbooks also provide promotions. Inquire about these offers next time you’re at a New Mexico sportsbook, particularly if you’re a new member.
- Manage Your Bankroll: Effective bankroll management is essential. Stick to your budget, focus on your betting objectives, and resist the temptation to chase losses or overspend. Always bet only what you can afford to lose.
New Mexico Sports Betting Taxes
Understanding how taxes work in sports betting is an important part of becoming an avid bettor. On the federal level, the IRS considers all gambling wins as fully taxable, including those from retail locations, websites, state lotteries, and other sources. Any money you win from your wagering activity is regarded as income, no matter how small it is.
However, you are only required to pay taxes on sports betting winnings if they exceed $600 or are at least 300 times the amount you wagered. The sportsbook will issue you a Form W-2G, and you must report them on your tax return.
If the payout is $5,000 or more, the sportsbook may withhold federal income tax of 24% of the total.
Remember that even if you don’t receive a tax form, you are still expected to report your winnings. It’s advisable to maintain a record of your betting transactions, including your wins and losses.
Ready to Place Your Bets in New Mexico?
While New Mexico does not support online sports betting, the availability of NM retail sportsbooks provides a great alternative for placing different sports wagers in the state. You can bet on your favorite sports or team at several tribal casinos scattered across the jurisdiction.
So what are you waiting for? Betting opportunities await you in the Land of Enchantment! Go get it! Remember to bet responsibly, manage your bankroll adequately, and keep a record of your betting activity.
Want to improve your understanding of sports betting strategies and concepts? Start reading our Sports Betting Education guide.
