New Mexico Local Casino Guide
23 tribal casinos offer table games and slots to 21+ players- 5 racino locations limited to electronic games
- Brick-and-mortar casinos are regulated by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board
For a state with just 2.1 million residents, New Mexico has an impressive gaming footprint. Twenty‑four tribal casinos and five racinos form a surprisingly dense statewide gaming network, effectively defining New Mexico’s local casinos. Together, they give locals and visiting players enough real‑money action to stay entertained for days, from full‑scale tribal resorts to smaller, slot‑driven racetrack venues.
All 24 casinos are owned and operated by 14 federally recognized tribes, each operating under tribal–state compacts that allow full Class III gaming. The racinos, by contrast, are commercial properties tied to horse‑racing tracks and are limited in what they can offer—primarily slot machines and electronic games rather than full table‑game pits.
Together with the availability of online NM casinos through reputable offshore platforms, these venues create one of the most diverse and accessible gambling ecosystems in the Southwest. Tribal casinos serve as the backbone of the state’s gaming industry, offering full‑scale Class III experiences, while racinos fill in regional gaps with smaller, slot‑focused gaming floors. The combination of on‑site tribal properties, limited‑scope racinos, and offshore online access gives New Mexico players more ways to wager than many larger states.
Racetrack casinos (commercial “racinos”)
New Mexico is home to five racetrack casinos (“racinos”), each offering a mix of slot machines and live or simulcast horse racing. While these venues are primarily built around racing events, the addition of slots and electronic gaming machines provides year‑round entertainment, especially on days when races are not scheduled.
State gambling laws currently prohibit live‑dealer table games at New Mexico’s state‑licensed racinos. Although lawmakers have introduced bills to authorize table games, none have been enacted to date. The following racinos are all licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board*.
Below is an overview of each racino in New Mexico and the gambling options available at these properties.
Tribal casinos & tribal gaming travel centers In NM
New Mexico is home to 24 tribal casinos offering full Class III gaming, including slot machines, live‑dealer table games such as blackjack and roulette, specialty table games, and a wide range of electronic options.
These casinos operate under a three‑layer regulatory framework involving tribal governments, federal oversight, and state participation as outlined in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988. New Mexico’s first tribal‑state compact was signed in 1997 and later updated in 2015, extending authorized gaming operations through June 30, 2037.
Below is a detailed look at the gaming options available at each of the state’s 24 tribal casinos across the Land of Enchantment.
Indian Tribes That Own Casinos In New Mexico
- Jicarilla Apache Nation — Operates gaming facilities including Apache Nugget Casino (and other tribal gaming stops).
- Mescalero Apache Tribe — Owns and runs casinos including Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino and Casino Apache Travel Center.
- Navajo Nation — Operates multiple casino properties (e.g., Fire Rock, Flowing Waters, Northern Edge).
- Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo — Owns and operates Ohkay Hotel Casino.
- Pueblo of Acoma — Owns Sky City Casino & related gaming travel centers.
- Pueblo of Isleta — Operates Isleta Resort & Casino.
- Pueblo of Laguna — Owns Route 66 Casino and Dancing Eagle Casino.
- Pueblo of Pojoaque — Operates Cities of Gold Casino and Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino.
- Pueblo of San Felipe — Owns Black Mesa Casino and related venues.
- Pueblo of Sandia — Owns and operates Sandia Resort & Casino.
- Pueblo of Santa Ana — Operates Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel.
- Pueblo of Santa Clara — Tribal gaming presence in NM (casino affiliation granted).
- Pueblo of Taos — Owns Taos Mountain Casino.
- Pueblo of Tesuque — Owns Tesuque Casino.
New Mexico Legal Gambling Age
Tribal & Commercial Casino Gambling — Age 21
In New Mexico, you must be at least 21 years old to legally play casino-style games, including slots, table games (like blackjack and roulette), poker rooms, and in-person sports betting at tribal casinos or racinos. This age requirement applies statewide for these activities.
Lottery & Bingo — Age 18
You only need to be 18 years old to purchase state lottery tickets and participate in most bingo games, whether run by charities or at licensed events.
Horse Racing / Pari-Mutuel Betting — Age 18
Wagering on horse races (pari-mutuel betting) is permitted at 18 years old. There aren’t active live horse racing venues in NM, but this age applies where such wagering is offered.
Sports Betting — Age 21
If you want to place legal in-person sports bets at tribal casino sportsbooks, the minimum age is 21, matching the general casino gaming age. There is no authorized statewide online sports betting platform currently.
Online Gambling - Age 18 (Offshore)
New Mexico does not currently license or allow online casinos or online poker, so state-regulated online gambling isn’t available regardless of age. However, there are numerous online gambling sites that operate from outside of the US that accept players over the age of 18.
Popular Casino Games
New Mexico’s casinos offer the full range of Class III gaming, but most properties lean heavily toward digital experiences. Slot machines dominate the gaming floors, supported by large selections of video poker, video blackjack, and other electronic table game variants.
While land‑based casinos can’t match the sheer volume of variations found with online New Mexico casino games, players will still find a diverse mix of themes, denominations, and play styles. From classic three‑reel slots to modern multi‑line video machines with bonus features, there’s more than enough variety to keep both casual players and seasoned gamblers entertained.
Can Casinos Operate Online In New Mexico?
No, New Mexico does not authorize or regulate real‑money online casinos. State law only permits online wagering in two forms:
- Online sports betting but only through tribal operators and only when bets are placed on tribal land
- Online horse race betting through approved advance‑deposit wagering platforms
New Mexico has never passed legislation to legalize statewide online casino gaming (slots, blackjack, roulette, live dealers, etc.). As a result, there are no state‑licensed online casinos available to residents.
Because the state has not criminalized online casino play at the individual level, many New Mexico players turn to offshore online casinos, which operate outside U.S. jurisdiction and accept players from the state.
