Albuquerque Sportsbooks
One thing you can take the bank when discussing New Mexico in the context of gambling is that a sizeable portion of the folks that call the Land of Enchantment their home absolutely love to bet, and we are willing to go out on a limb and say that a good deal of those millions of gamblers are sports bettors too. With that said, it might seem totally out of whack but it’s true: there are only two land-based Albuquerque sportsbooks at this time, and that is because of the US Supreme Court’s decision in May of 2018 to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). Many enthusiasts in the gaming world are hoping to see more sportsbooks in Albuquerque come to fruition in the coming year. The state of New Mexico – and its most populous metropolitan area specifically - is home to some of the nice casino properties in the entire Southwest region, many of which have what it takes to become some of the best sportsbooks in Albuquerque too.
Our guide – or really more like our preview – of the top sportsbooks in Albuquerque that are currently operating and the locations we think could one day (hopefully soon) become the best Albuquerque sportsbooks will take a look at the legal situation facing the sports betting hobby and also examine the future potential for the sports betting industry in the Land of Enchantment. Of course, that means we will also endeavor to explain a few of the more salient details regarding the legal offshore sportsbook sites – namely Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie – that are currently serving as the only legal online sportsbooks in Albuquerque. The fact is that the future holds a lot of promise for the sports wagering hobby in the state, and it behooves our readers to learn more about the sports betting New Mexico already has and could soon have to offer.
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Is Sports Betting Currently Legal In Albuquerque?
Before we get too far into our discussion of the currently available and possible future options concerning Albuquerque sportsbooks, we really out to clear the air on one crucial topic: The only entities in New Mexico that could possibly operate a legal sportsbook are the Native American tribes who own casinos on tribal land. Otherwise, sports betting through anyone else in the state is not legal at present, but the potential for lawmakers to change that is due to the US Supreme Court’s recent decision in May of 2018 to overturn PASPA after finding the controversial and much maligned law to be patently unconstitutional in a landmark ruling. PASPA was used by the federal government as a way to illegally keep 46 of 50 states from passing their own laws to regulate and legalize gambling activities (in this case sports wagering) in a clear violation of the Equal Sovereignty doctrine enshrined in the US Constitution as a power reserved by the states.
However, all that is water under the bridge (not that there is a whole lot of water in New Mexico outside of the Rio Grande, but that is a different story altogether), and now the state of New Mexico along with every other state in the nation that has not already formally legalized sports betting is free to do so if that is what the people want. That last part will certainly not be a difficult sell to the gambling crazy public in the state, but the politicians might be a shade averse to diving too deeply into gaming expansion, what with the gambling mecca of the world – Nevada – being such a close neighbor. Nevertheless, though it might be a bit of a wait before we know for sure what New Mexico’s legislature will do with sports betting legalization, sports bettors in the state already have the option of legally placing wagers at tribal casinos or at any number of industry-leading legal offshore sportsbook sites such as Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI and MyBookie.
Legal Minimum Age To Bet At Albuquerque Sportsbooks
Although for the time being the only way to get in on the sports betting action in the Land of Enchantment without running into trouble with the legal authorities is to place your bets at either the sportsbook at Santa Ana Star or legal offshore sportsbook websites like Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, BetDSI, and MyBookie. Although we spent a goodly chunk of time researching this important topic, really all you need to do to figure out the answer is to use the Santa Ana Star as a reference. They follow the same “21 and up” requirement for all of their casino games, including sports betting. There is practically no gambling location in the entire United States that contains a sports betting outlet in which players can participate in wagering if they are under the age of 18, and this trend is likely to follow as other casinos in New Mexico start accepting sports bets.
However, it is worth pointing out that our most highly recommended legal offshore sports betting sites will, in fact, accept players and new account sign-ups from individuals as young as 18. There is not anything shady about that, so there is no need to be overly concerned, as 18 is the minimum legal age to bet according to the admittedly much less strict gambling laws of these overseas gaming operators based in Europe, the Caribbean region and elsewhere. That being said, we do not under any circumstances recommend that our readers here at Sports Betting New Mexico engage in wagering on sporting events, even at sites as trusted and reputable as the ones we think are the best in the business, if you are not at least 21 years of age. There is simply too much risk involved in wagering on sports in the United States if you are 18, 19 or 20, even if it is completely legal to do so using overseas-based gambling websites with different rules on the subject of the legal minimum gaming age.
Best Sportsbooks In Albuquerque
Alburquerque has sportsbooks in town that offer legal sports betting options. However, with no mobile betting option, players must be at the casinos to place their wagers. Because of the rules in New Mexico, online sports betting is not yet regulated by New Mexico but online sportsbooks are where you will find a lot of residents placing their bets on sporting events. These are gambling sites that are much easier to use as you don’t have to leave your house to place your bets on any games and any sports. This is one of the most popular cities in New Mexico so there are many residents who will be able to place their bets on any sports and use online sportsbooks as they go to.
- Sandia Resort And Casino
- http://www.sandiacasino.com/
- Type: Native American tribal land-based casino and resort
- Location: Albuquerque, NM
- Address: 30 Rainbow Rd NE Albuquerque, NM 87113
- First Opened: 1994
- Number of Rooms: 228 rooms and suites
- Total Gaming Space: 140,000 square feet (2,000 + slot machines, 52 table games – roulette, craps, blackjack, baccarat and card game stations, New Mexico’s largest non smoking poker room, live high stakes bingo and live keno)
- Gaming Age: 21
- Top Attractions: 4,000 seat outdoor amphitheater featuring headlining national level musical talent and comedic acts throughout the year, 27,000 square feet ballroom, Tlur Pa Lounge – nightly live entertainment, Bien Shur rooftop patio – live entertainment plus lounge menu daily, Sandia Golf Course (designed by PGA Tour designer Scott Miller)
- Best Restaurants: Bien Shur – white tablecloth fine dining restaurant, Council Room – casual and family dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Thur Shan Buffet, Ba Shie Bar, P’A Sur Deli & Roadrunner Grill, Kiva Coffee
- Owner: Pueblo of Sandia
- Phone Number: (505) 796-7500
The first Native American casino in New Mexico at the time of its opening in 1995, the Sandia Resort and Casino is without a doubt one of the finest casino resort properties in all of New Mexico and, truthfully, in the entire American Southwest. With a total gaming space maxing out 140,000 square feet, it is certainly one of the biggest in the country and it has all the amenities to go with a space that big when you want to take a break from pulling a slot machine handle or slinging cards in a poker game. At 7,772 yards, the Sandia Resort and Casino is home to the longest golf course in New Mexico, which was itself recognized with several major industry awards, including the 2005 Development of the Year by Golf Inc. and was named as one of the “Top 25 Casino Golf Courses in America” by Golfweek magazine. Additionally, there are plenty of fine dining and more budget conscious restaurants and eateries to choose from on the property and even an outdoor amphitheater with seating room for 4,000 people and a 27,000 square foot ballroom for rocking shows and elegant galas, respectively. If you are looking for some of the classiest environs to enjoy an evening or a weekend at one of the top sportsbooks in Albuquerque, you will not be able to find it here, but that could be changing soon, and we certainly hope that is the case, as the Sandia Resort and Casino is definitely where we would like to place our bets on our favorite sports.
- Isleta Resort & Casino
- http://www.isleta.com/
- Type: Native American tribal land-based casino and resort
- Location: Santa Ana Pueblo, NM
- Address: 11000 Broadway Southeast, Albuquerque, NM, 87105
- First Opened: 1993
- Number of Rooms: 204 rooms (non smoking), which includes rooms and suites
- Total Gaming Space: 109,000 square feet (1,600 slot machines, approximately 55 gaming stations – poker, baccarat, blackjack, pai gow, pai gow poker, crap, Las Vegas Stud, roulette, video gaming terminals, etc.)
- Top Attractions: 777 Saloon (Triple Sevens) – sports bar, saloon and country dance club, Center Bar, Isleta Showroom concert and entertainment venue with regularly scheduled musical and comedic acts throughout the year, Isleta Golf Club, video game arcade for kids, Isleta Billiards room, Fun Connection bowling alley – 24 lanes
- Best Restaurants: Embers Steakhouse – white tablecloth fine dining, TIWA Restaurant & Lounge, Chile Ristra – Tex Mex restaurant, Daubers Grill – casual and family dining, Snack Bar
- Owner: Pueblo of Isleta
- Phone Number: 505-724-3800
Nearly as big as its primary competitor in terms of size, the second of the two major Albuquerque casino properties - the Isleta Resort & Casino – makes a compelling case for itself in terms of being one of the premier gambling and vacation destinations in this part of the state appropriately known as the Land of Enchantment. With a gaming space that tops out at nearly 90,000 square feet and featuring nearly 2,000 gaming stations to go along with its regularly scheduled high stakes poker tournaments, the Isleta is known among New Mexico’s gambling savvy residents and visitors as one of the best places to go to place a bet. However, access to the hundreds of nicely appointed rooms and suites, fun activities for kids, fabulous restaurants to suit any budget and any appetite, and one of the most popular golf courses is topped off by having a legitimate New Mexico sportsbook. While it took a while to finally open, the sportsbook here can compete with any in the state due to its high quality. Just take a visit here and you’ll see the Isleta Resort & Casino joins the upper echelons of the best sportsbooks in Albuquerque.
- Santa Ana Star Casino
- https://www.santaanastar.com/
- Type: Native American tribal land-based casino and resort
- Location: Santa Ana Pueblo, NM
- Address: 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico
- First Opened: 1993
- Number of Rooms: 204 rooms (non smoking), which includes rooms and suites
- Total Gaming Space: 109,000 square feet (1,600 slot machines, approximately 55 gaming stations – poker, baccarat, blackjack, pai gow, pai gow poker, crap, Las Vegas Stud, roulette, video gaming terminals, etc.)
- Gaming Age: 21
- Top Attractions: The Stage at Santa Ana Star Casino – standup comedy, world class DJ, cocktails, VIP Bottle Service, Lounge 54, Cantina Rio outdoor bar, bowling alley – includes a video game arcade, air hockey and Starlight Bar & Grill
- Best Restaurants: Mesa Grille, The Feast Buffet, Cantina Rio, Lounge 54 – bar and club, Starlight Bar & Grill, Juniper Steakhouse – white tablecloth fine dining
- Owner: Pueblo of Santa Ana
- Phone Number: (505) 867-0000
The Albuquerque area is lucky enough to have one of the few land-based sportsbooks in driving distance. The Santa Ana Star provides its guests with the ability to wager on sports such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and collegiate sports as well. Although, the casino does not allow betting on teams that are based in New Mexico, such as the Lobos. Still, the amount of wagering types available for every other team is sure to keep you locked in for their games. You’ll have all the standard betting lines one would come to expect at a Las Vegas sportsbook, along with the ability to place live bets. Live betting is something that requires concentration and great timing in order to make sure you get the best odds, and with the self-serving betting kiosks at the Santa Ana Star, you can be sure to make those bets in time to win big. But, there is plenty to do at the casino besides wagering on sports.
With a total gambling floor space of almost 110,000 square feet and 204 rooms and suites in its sprawling and lavishly appointed hotel, the Santa Ana Star Casino certainly has laid the groundwork for what could become one of the best Albuquerque sportsbooks locations bar none. Gambling activities (which include all the popular casino classics from baccarat to various forms of poker to roulette to slot machines and even high stakes bingo) aside, there is plenty to do at the sprawling property, including a bowling alley and some of the best restaurants outside of Albuquerque. It is truly a one-stop destination for a fun family outing or a few days of serious gambling; whatever you prefer to do with your time, you can do it at the Santa Ana Star Casino.
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