Introduction to New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling
New Mexico slot machine casino gambling consists of twenty tribal casinos plus another five racinos with racetracks. Further, there are over fifty non-profit sites offering slots. New Mexico has many more slot machines per state resident than any other U.S. state.
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I’ve dedicated this series to slot enthusiasts such as yourself by using my State-By-State Online Resource for U.S. Casino Slots Enthusiasts to improve your slots gambling performance by reviewing your state’s slots gaming industry.
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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
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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The control board’s website is both highly comprehensive and easy to navigate.
Casinos in New Mexico
There are twenty American Indian tribal casinos and five commercial racinos in New Mexico.
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The largest casino in New Mexico is Sandia Resort & Casino.
The second-largest casino is Route 66 Casino Hotel.
Commercial Casinos in New Mexico
The five commercial pari-mutuel wagering racinos with slot machines in New Mexico are:
- The Downs Racetrack and Casino in Albuquerque.
- Ruidoso Downs & Billy The Kid Casino, 186 miles southeast of Albuquerque.
- Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, 9 miles northwest of El Paso, Texas, near the border to Texas.
- SunRay Park and Casino in Farmington, 182 miles northwest of Albuquerque near the state’s northwest corner near the border to Colorado.
- Zia Park Casino Hotel Racetrack in Hobbs, 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 twenty tribal casinos owned and operated by twenty-five tribes and pueblos with state-tribal gaming compacts in New Mexico are:
- Apache Nugget Travel Center and Casino in Dulce, 193 miles north of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
- Black Mesa Casino in Algodones, 25 miles north of Albuquerque.
- Casino Apache Travel Center in Ruidoso, 181 miles southeast of Albuquerque.
- Cities of Gold Casino & Hotel in Santa Fe.
- Dancing Eagle Casino in Casa Blanca, 53 miles west of Albuquerque.
- Fire Rock Casino in Church Rock, 131 miles west of Albuquerque near the border to Arizona.
- Flowing Water Casino in Shiprock, 209 miles northwest of Albuquerque near Four Corners.
- Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino Apache in Mescalero, 213 miles south-southeast of Albuquerque.
- Isleta Resort Casino in Albuquerque.
- Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder.
- Northern Edge Casino in Upper Fruitland, 185 miles north of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
- Ohkay Hotel Casino in Ohkay Owingeh, 92 miles north-northeast of Albuquerque.
- Route 66 Casino Hotel in Albuquerque.
- Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque.
- Santa Ana Star Casino in Santa Ana Pueblo, 21 miles north of Albuquerque.
- Santa Claran Hotel Casino in Espanola, 193 miles north of Albuquerque.
- Sky City Casino Hotel in Acoma Pueblo, 64 miles west of Albuquerque near the border to Colorado.
- Taos Mountain Casino in Taos, 132 miles northeast of Albuquerque.
- Tesuque Casino in Santa Fe.
- Wild Horse Casino in Dulce, 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
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Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to New Mexico.
New Mexico also offers slot machines at licensed Veterans and Fraternal non-profit organizations. Non-profit gaming licensees are shown 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 Mexico slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to freely join this Facebook Group community.
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There, you can meet online and privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with local slots enthusiasts about playing slot machines in New Mexico. Join us!
Theoretical Payouts and Return Statistics 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.
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Return statistics are unavailable from commercial racinos, tribal casinos, and non-profit organizations.
Summary of New Mexico Slot Machine Casino Gambling
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.