Can You Play Online Poker in New Mexico?

No. You cannot play online poker in New Mexico. Although poker is very popular in the state, players are only permitted to play in any of the five poker rooms spread out across the state. Online gambling operators don’t have permits to run gambling activities, which limits poker playing opportunities to limited live locations. 

Why Not? What Are the Online Poker Laws in New Mexico?

Just like in many other states in the country, the law in New Mexico does not explicitly address online poker and other forms of online gambling. In-person casino gambling in live locations is authorized by law, with a few tribal casinos operating in the state. 

The New Mexico Statutes only outlaw online poker in general terms. While this is enough to deter online poker operators from running in the state, the ambiguousness of this law leaves some possible gray areas that poker enthusiasts may explore if they want to Play New Mexico online poker with no legal sanctions. 

In practice, you can play online poker in New Mexico on (risky) offshore poker sites. These are online poker rooms with international licenses. Offshore sites are not regulated by local laws. They welcome players from New Mexico and other parts of the country to play and potentially earn real cash from playing online poker. 

Despite their popularity, we do not recommend playing poker on offshore gambling sites. These sites operate outside state and federal jurisdiction, which raises some concerns about how they operate and conduct their business.

There have been reports of players losing their money when these sites get shut down unexpectedly. There are no legal measures to ensure fair game play and many of these sites cannot guarantee the security of the funds and personal information of the players that use them. These factors make it generally unsafe to patronize offshore sites. 

Potential New Mexico Poker Sites to Launch in the Future

Poker has been popular in New Mexico for many years, but the state is still to regulate online poker sites. There have been several attempts at it over the years, but so far, none have come to fruition.

It is a pretty safe bet that online poker in NM will be regulated at some point in the future, so the only real question is when. While it’s hard to give any definitive answer at this point in time, we continue to monitor the situation and will keep you updated with any important developments.

When online poker is finally legal in NM, there are a few sites that we can expect to go live. These are all operators with a major presence in the regulated US market, and they’ll likely jump at the opportunity to expand their presence.

BetMGM Poker New Mexico

BetMGM has established itself as a household name in the regulated US online poker space, and the operator will likely be among the first to stake a claim in such an attractive new market.

We expect BetMGM Poker will bring out a platform similar to that in other states like PA, MI, and NJ. A poker client powered by the PartyPoker technology offers a modern and very reliable solution for all online poker fans, even if it is not as rich in functionalities as some other platforms.

In terms of game variety, players can look forward to a nice mix of online tournaments, a wide range of cash game stakes, and, in all likelihood, BetMGM Poker’s staple SPINS – a hugely popular sit & go variation featuring a random jackpot.

It is also likely that BetMGM Poker NM will come out of the gate swinging, offering a generous welcome bonus. With what’s likely to be heavy competition in the state, all sites will look for ways to stand out, and this is generally a good thing for the players.

PokerStars New Mexico

Although the company couldn’t enter the US before 2016, PokerStars has established itself as a staple name of online poker in the country, just like they have done in the global market.

Once the regulation is finally passed, the launch of PokerStars is pretty much a guarantee. This is especially true if the state passes a law with the expectation of joining the MSIGA, as the operator seems eager to take advantage of opportunities provided by interstate poker.

But even without that particular element, NM is a big enough market on its own.

What PokerStars brings to the table is the operator’s experience in organizing major online series, first and foremost. US versions of ‘COOP events have been hugely successful in all states where the site currently has a presence, and there is no reason to think New Mexico would be an exception.

PokerStars also offers one of the best software solutions for desktop computers and mobile devices alike. This enhances the player experience and certainly helps push the site towards the top of the list when deciding where to play.

WSOP New Mexico

The third NM poker site likely to go live as soon as legal requirements are met is WSOP.com. Right now, WSOP is the only operator present in all regulated US markets with active poker sites, and the company is on the constant lookout for expansion opportunities.

WSOP.com has one trump card that no other operators can match, which is its ability to host bracelet-awarding events and exclusive satellites to live World Series of Poker tournaments. This has helped the operator remain competitive across the country.

A launch in a new state would likely mean an exclusive bracelet series, giving players in the state great opportunities to win some WSOP silverware from the comfort of their home, and if past experience is any indicator, this is an opportunity that players jump on.

WSOP should have no problem claiming its fair share of the new market despite competitors, with the operators’ numbers surging during major live and online events.