New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Introduction to New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

New Mexico slot machine casino gambling consists of 22 tribal casinos plus another five racinos with racetracks. Further, there are over 50 non-profit sites offering slots. New Mexico has many more slot machines per state resident than any other U.S. state.

Tribal casinos, commercial racinos, and non-profit organizations have set a minimum theoretical payout limit. None publicly report return statistics.

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This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in New Mexico*

The minimum legal gambling age in New Mexico depends upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: 21
• Poker Rooms: 21
• Bingo: No age limit
• Lottery: 18
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

Pari-mutuel wagering has been legal since the 1930s, having a thriving industry until the late 1980s when Texas legalized pari-mutuel wagering. Recovery and stability occurred when New Mexico legalized offering slot machines in their racinos.

In 1995, the state and 25 federally-recognized American Indian tribes or pueblos negotiated thirteen identical state-tribal gaming compacts eventually approved after various delays. Each tribe is associated with at least one Indian casino in New Mexico.

Several amendments made to the 1995 state-tribal compacts include a requirement that the tribal casino reports a net win amount. These compacts currently expire in 2037.

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Each of New Mexico’s five racinos can have up to 750 gaming machines, including 600 of their own and another 150 leased for a different racino. For these racinos, the state collects 26% of the Net Take in monthly gaming taxes.

Further, 20% of the Net Take from racino gaming machines must go to horsemen’s purses, which has been a significant amount: In fiscal year 2014, horsemen’s purses received over $50M from gaming revenues.

Finally, a thriving charitable gaming industry exists in New Mexico. Dozens of non-profit organizations legally offer electronic gaming machines like the slot machines found at New Mexico’s racinos.

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*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in New Mexico

Privately owning a slot machine has only recently become available. Legal restrictions on obtaining it are highly limited to the following terms:

• It must be purchased from a distributor or manufacturer licensed to distribute and manufacture slot machines in New Mexico.
• Only such New Mexico licensed distributors and manufacturers may transport gaming machines in New Mexico.
• The homeowner may not make a profit from having the slot machine.
• Persons who play on the machine can play for winnings only.
• The homeowner may not offer the slot machine for resale without a license.
• The homeowner may not transport a slot machine from one location to another without a license.
• A homeowner charging a fee to play or keeping a portion of monies for any reason would be commercial gambling which, without a gambling license, is a felony.

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As an exception, an antique gambling device can be legally owned without restriction, provided it was manufactured before 1970 as well as is not used in gambling.

Gaming Control Board in New Mexico

In 1997, the state legislature established the New Mexico Gaming Control Board. The control board’s website is both highly comprehensive and easy to navigate, include maps of:

• Commercial racetrack racinos
• Non-profit casinos

Casinos in New Mexico

There are 22 American Indian tribal casinos and five commercial racinos in New Mexico.

The largest casino in New Mexico is Sandia Resort and Casino with 2,300 gaming machines.

The second-largest casino is Route 66 Casino Hotel with 1,900 gaming machines.

Commercial Casinos in New Mexico

The five commercial pari-mutuel wagering racinos with slot machines in New Mexico are:

1. The Downs Racetrack and Casino in Albuquerque.
2. Ruidoso Downs & Billy The Kid Casino found 186 miles southeast of Albuquerque.
3. Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino found 9 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas, near the border to Texas.
4. SunRay Park and Casino in Farmington found 182 miles northwest of Albuquerque near the state’s northwest corner near the border to Colorado.
5. Zia Park Race Track & Black Gold Casino in Hobbs found 317 miles southeast of Albuquerque near the state’s southeast corner near the border to Texas.

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Tribal Casinos in New Mexico

The 22 tribal casinos owned and operated by 25 tribes and pueblos with state-tribal gaming compacts in New Mexico are:

1. Apache Nugget Travel Center and Casino in Dulce found 193 miles north of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
2. Black Mesa Casino in Algodones found 25 miles north of Albuquerque.
3. Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino in Santa Fe.
4. Casino Apache Travel Center in Ruidoso found 181 miles southeast of Albuquerque.
5. Cities of Gold Casino Hotel in Santa Fe.
6. Dancing Eagle Casino and RV Park in Casa Blanca found 53 miles west of Albuquerque.
7. Fire Rock Casino in Church Rock found 131 miles west of Albuquerque near the border to Arizona.
8. Flowing Water Casino in Shiprock found 209 miles northwest of Albuquerque near Four Corners.
9. Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino Apache in Mescalero found 213 miles south-southeast of Albuquerque.
10. Isleta Resort Casino in Albuquerque.
11. Northern Edge Casino in Upper Fruitland found 185 miles north of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
12. Ohkay Casino Resort in Ohkay Owingeh found 92 miles north-northeast of Albuquerque.
13. Palace West Casino in Albuquerque.
14. Route 66 Casino Express in Albuquerque.
15. Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque.
16. Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque.
17. Santa Ana Star Casino in Santa Ana Pueblo found 21 miles north of Albuquerque.
18. Santa Claran Hotel Casino in Espanola found 193 miles north of Albuquerque.
19. Sky City Casino Hotel in Acoma Pueblo found 64 miles west of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
20. Taos Mountain Casino in Taos found 132 miles northeast of Albuquerque.
21. Tesuque Casino in Santa Fe.
22. Wild Horse Casino in Dulce found 193 miles north of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying New Mexico slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering New Mexico is:

• North: Colorado Slots
• East: Oklahoma Slots and Texas Slots
• South: Texas Slots and Mexico
• West: Arizona Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to New Mexico.

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New Mexico also offers slot machines at licensed Veterans and Fraternal non-profit organizations. Over 50 non-profit gaming licensees are spread throughout the state.

Our New Mexico Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in New Mexico? If so, join our new New Mexico slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

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There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in New Mexico. Join us!

Payout Returns in New Mexico

The theoretical payout limit for all slot machines in New Mexico is 80% whether at a tribal casino, commercial racino, or a non-profit Veteran and Fraternal organization.

Return statistics are unavailable from commercial racinos, tribal casinos, and non-profit organizations.

Summary of New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

New Mexico slot machine casino gambling consists of 22 tribal casinos, five commercial pari-mutual racetracks with slot machines, and over 50 Veteran or Fraternal organizations spread across the state.

All slot machines have a theoretical payout limit of 80%. There are no legal requirements that tribal casinos, racinos, or non-profits publicly provide return statistics for electronic gaming machines.

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Annual Progress in New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, the Tesuque Casino opened in Santa Fe.

Related Articles from Professor Slots

• 11 Things You Need To Know About American Indian Tribal Casinos
• The Ultimate Guide to Tribal Gaming

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Online Resource: State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series
• Previous: New Jersey Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
• Next: New York Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020