Is Poker legal in New Mexico (nm)? Online Poker Laws in New Mexico Explained

Can You Play Online Poker in New Mexico?

There is currently no legislation permitting online poker in the state.

Current New Mexico Gambling Laws

Horsetrack betting has a long tradition in the state, having been made legal during the 1940s. The lottery was introduced in 1995, and more recently bingo (2009) and daily fantasy sports (2016) have been made legal as well.

Compacts signed with Native American tribes during the 1990s have resulted in two dozen tribe-owned casinos, most of which are located in the northern half of the state around Sante Fe and Albuquerque. There are a small handful of live poker rooms in the state, most near Albuquerque including the Route 66 Casino where the Heartland Poker Tour has visited. The state also has a few racinos that offer casino games alongside racetracks.

In October 2018, New Mexico somewhat unexpectedly became part of the early rush of states to allow sports betting following the May ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that lifted the federal ban. That's when the Santa Ana Star Casino began taking sports wagers after the Pueblo of Santa Ana cited a clause in the tribe's compact not prohibiting sports betting. It is possible other tribe-owned casinos will follow suit.

Meanwhile, there is no significant impetus among lawmakers currently to introduce online gambling and/or poker in the state.

Best Online Poker Sites for New Mexico Players

None at present. But you can always play poker for free with the WSOP Social App.