New Mexico Online Casinos

New Mexico Online Casinos

Regulation and legality of New York online gambling

Online gambling is illegal in New Mexico. According to the NM Gaming Control Board (NMGCB), internet gambling/wagering, as they call it, is not in any way approved, endorsed, or sanctioned by the NMGCB. What they’re doing is basically stating that the state currently doesn’t allow any sort of new or existing establishment to offer online services.

According to New Mexico laws, all forms of gambling outside the 24 Tribal casinos, are deemed illegal. This is a bit paradoxical, as the law also states that horse and greyhound racing, skill games, and DFS are all legal in online form. Because there is no article that specifically singles out casino games, and existing laws contradict themselves, the situation is quite unclear.

What about punishments for online gambling? Well, if you’re a first-time offender, you’ll most likely get slapped with a petty misdemeanor. For repeat offenses, you might be subject to a $500 fine. However, as important it is to know the laws, it’s also worth mentioning that they’re NEVER enforced.

No, seriously, not a single person has gotten in trouble for playing at New Mexico online casinos. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, both legislators and law enforcement know that people love playing casino games online, and that it’s a growing trend. They just don’t have the resources to tackle that which they deem a ‘social problem.’

Secondly, there is the jurisdiction loophole. You see, New Mexico authorities have the legal right to prosecute anyone and any organization within state lines. While this allows them to break up illegal gambling syndicates, it also creates a way for people to enjoy casino games at a particular location - offshore sites.

As these online casinos are based and licensed abroad, the NMGCB has its hands effectively tied. Also, there is no way for any regulatory body to forbid offshore sites from accepting players from NM. Thus, a semi-clandestine online casino market has emerged in this state.

While some sites will claim that all offshore casinos are unsafe, this isn’t true. All you have to do is pick a country with a strict regulatory body and check out online reviews. Fraudulent casinos are almost nonexistent nowadays, but you should always put security first.

Online gaming is not specifically addressed by the New Mexico legislation. That’s not surprising, considering the fact that the situation is exactly, or approximately, the same in the majority of the States. The activity is not proclaimed illegal, which doesn’t automatically make it legal, or does it? One thing is certain - the New Mexico Gaming Control Board is against online gaming. On its website, the Gaming Control Board reminds that ‘the State of New Mexico, and the New Mexico Gaming Control Board do not regulate, license, control or in any way sanction, endorse or approve any Internet or on-line gambling, betting activity, wagering or any aspect thereof. Any statement, reference or opinion to the contrary is wrong.’

Gambling history in New Mexico

Not much is known about gambling activities in New Mexico territory before the 1940s. Either the operations were super-quiet or history had very little to report. Many consider the beginning of modern New Mexico history the opening of the La Mesa Park and legalization of horse race betting in 1946. Pari-mutuel betting on horse races was the only regulated market in the Land of Enchantment for decades. Then, things began to heat up in the early 90s. After the passing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, governor Bruce King's task force offered Class II casino compact to Native American tribes, but they refused it. It was Governor Gary Johnson that signed casino agreements with 13 tribes and approved the state lottery in 1995.

Johnson was the first to buy a lottery ticket when they went on sale the next year. During the early 2000s, the tribes and the state went into legal disputed about tribal casinos not paying the percentage of gambling revenue to the state. New compacts were eventually signed that would settle the disputes and allows for the tribal casino industry to flourish. In 2011, commercial casinos were allowed on non-tribal lands, extending the choices a bit further. However, this is as far as New Mexico went with the development of regulated gambling. Apart from discussions about iGaming legalization, the recent history of the Land of Enchantment was not eventful when it comes to updates on gaming. Lottery remains widely popular, with all the proceeds going into education funds and for good cause.

Land based casinos & real money slots

Considering the state’s population of a little over 2 million, New Mexico has a huge number of casinos within its borders. To be precise, there are over 20 casinos (tribal and commercial) and 5 racino venues (racetrack facilities allowed to offer slot machines).

Since the majority of the population lives in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas, that’s where you’ll find most casinos. Some casino establishments are strategically located on the borders with Texas, due to the neighboring state’s lack of casino gaming and a large population that needs to be served. Such venues are the Sunland and Zia Park racinos, for example.

New Mexico casinos affiliated with Indian Tribes offer varied assortments of table games and electronic gaming machines. Most of them are open 24/7.

Electronic gaming machines at casinos, racetracks and fraternal/veterans clubs must return a minimum of 80% to a maximum of 96% under valid gaming regulations. Those living in the Albuquerque area can pay a visit to casinos such as Sandia, Palace West, Downs Racetrack, Isleta, and Casino Express. Sandia Resort & Casino occupies 65,000 square feet and offers over 2,300 unique slot machines, live bingo and 33 tables for card games like poker and blackjack, along with hotel accommodation, luxurious spa and an 18-hole golf course.

Isleta Casino & Resort stretches across 30,000 square feet; it has over 1,800 slot machines and more than 25 table games (blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker).

More notable venues include Buffalo Thunder Resort in Santa Fe with roughly 1,200 slot machines on offer, Santa Ana Star in Bernalillo with 1,450 slots and Route 66 Casino in Albuquerque offering 1,700 electronic gaming machines. Ruidoso Downs and Sunland Park are popular racinos which offer live racing, off-track bets, slots, video poker and electronic table games.

Neighbouring States: Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah

Top New Mexico Casino Slots and Games

References

[1] New Mexico Gaming Control Board

[2] New Mexico Alcohol and Gaming Commission

[3] New Mexico Lottery

[4] New Mexico Racing Commission

[5] Online gambling - are players at risk of prosecution?

[6] American Gaming Association - https://www.americangaming.org