New Mexico Horse Betting Sites

New Mexico Online Horse Racing Betting

New Mexico does not regulate advance deposit wagering (online betting), but several of the country’s most prominent horse racing betting sites accept NM customers. Although all past efforts to regulate New Mexico ADWs have failed to become law, the state tolerates online wagering.

As a result, New Mexico residents can visit the following horse racing betting sites to bet online. All online racebooks listed and recommended on BettingUSA are headquartered in the United States and adhere to all state and federal laws.

• TwinSpires
• AmWager
• TVG
• Iron Bets

New Mexico law prohibits residents from betting on in-state horse races online. However, legal New Mexico horse racing betting sites offer nationwide track coverage otherwise. Fans can use legal ADWs to bet on the Kentucky Derby, the Breeders’ Cup, and other races held at tracks across the US and abroad from anywhere in New Mexico.

Readers can see New Mexico’s horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering laws in full under NMAC Title 15-16 and NM Statutes Chapter 60 Article 1A.

New Mexico Horse Race Tracks

A mix of thoroughbred and quarter horse races are held at the five active horse racetracks in New Mexico. The New Mexico State Fair is held at Expo New Mexico annually in September. However, live horse racing events take place at the Downs at Albuquerque. Pari-mutuel wagering is limited to persons 18 years of age and older. 

Racetracks are permitted to offer casino games, including slots, video poker and electronic table games. Casino games are restricted to players at least 21 years of age.

Downs at Albuquerque

145 Louisiana Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM 87108

Around 20 live race days are held each year at the Downs at Albuquerque. Standard race days are Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Thoroughbred and quarter horse races were held in August in 2022 and are scheduled for October in 2023. The racetrack hosts the New Mexico State Fair live racing events in September. Simulcast wagering is available year-round.

Albuquerque Downs Casino offers slots, video poker and electronic table games. The property also has multiple food options and an entertainment venue.

Ruidoso Downs

26225 US 70
Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346

Ruidoso Downs hosts around 45 race days starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Standard race days are Fridays through Sundays. Simulcast wagering is available at the casino sports bar.

Billy the Kid Casino at Ruidoso Downs has electronic table games, slots and video poker. American pub cuisine is served at the sports bar.

Sunland Park Racetrack

1200 Futurity Drive
Sunland Park, NM 88063

At Sunland Park, the live racing season runs from late December through early April. Standard thoroughbred race days are Sundays and Tuesdays. Fridays and Saturdays host live quarter horse races. The Turf Club is open for dining on live race days. Simulcast wagering is offered year-round.

Sunland Casino has slots, video poker and electronic table games. The property hosts live entertainment and offers a few dining options. 

SunRay Park

39 Road 5568
Farmington, NM 87401

Live horse races are held in April and May at SunRay Park. Standard race days are Fridays through Sundays. The simulcast room with betting carrels is open year-round.

SunRay Park Casino offers slots, video poker and video blackjack games. A full menu is available at the sports bar.

Zia Park Racetrack

3901 W Millen Drive
Hobbs, NW 88240

Thoroughbred and quarter horse races are held at Zia Park Racetrack. Standard race days are Saturdays through Tuesdays. Races are scheduled for November and December in 2023. Races were held in October during 2022. Special race days with exotic animals are also held at the racetrack. Trackside dining is available at the Turf Club Restaurant. Simulcast wagering is offered daily.

Operated by Penn Entertainment, Zia Park Casino has slots, video poker and electronic table games. The property has a 154-room hotel and two dining options.

New Mexico Off-Track Betting Locations

Off-track betting in New Mexico is limited to the simulcasting offerings at live race tracks. Unlike some other states, New Mexico does not authorize standalone OTBs. This means all betting in NM is limited to wagers placed in-person at one of the state’s sanctioned race tracks or through one of the US-based betting sites listed on this page.

Buffalo Thunder Casino Racebook

30 Buffalo Thunder Trail, Santa Fe

Simulcast wagering is available at the Thunder Race & Sportsbook. It features a bar, multiple TVs and betting carrels with individual TVs. Available casino games are slots, keno and live table games, including blackjack, craps and roulette. The property has multiple restaurants, 27-holes of golf, a spa, indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool and Hilton-brand hotels.

Major New Mexico Horse Racing Events

New Mexico Thoroughbred Horse Racing Events

Even though thoroughbred races are held at multiple New Mexico racetracks, the state only hosts a single graded thoroughbred race each year:

• Sunland Park Derby (G3): $500,000 purse, open to 3yo thoroughbreds, held in March at Sunland Park

Major New Mexico Quarter Horse Racing Events

New Mexico racetracks are host to a large selection of graded quarter horse races. Events are held throughout the year at all five racetracks. Some of these quarter-horse races are restricted-graded events.

• All American Derby (G1): $700,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held Labor Day weekend at Ruidoso Downs
• All American Futurity (G1): $3,000,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held on Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs
• All American Gold Cup (G1): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held on Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs
• All American Oaks (G1): $300,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held Labor Day weekend at Ruidoso Downs
• Balloon City Stakes (G3): $50,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held at Downs at Albuquerque
• Championship at Sunland Park (G1): $350,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held in late December at Sunland Park
• Downs at Albuquerque Distance Challenge (G2): $50,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Downs at Albuquerque
• Downs at Albuquerque Fall Championship (G1): $300,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Downs at Albuquerque
• First Moonflash Maturity (RG2): $75,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Downs at Albuquerque
• James Isaac Hobbs Stakes (G2): $75,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Zia Park 
• Jimmy Drake Stakes (RG3): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held in May at SunRay Park
• King Rick Rack (G3): $75,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Zia Park 
• La Fiesta Futurity (G3): $100,000-added purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held at Downs at Albuquerque
• Lou Wooten/Sydney Valentini Handicap (RG2): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held in January at Sunland Park
• Lovington Stakes (G2): $75,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Zia Park 
• Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap (RG2): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held in February at Sunland Park
• Mountain Top Futurity (RG2): $350,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held in June at Ruidoso Downs
• Mr Jet Moore Handicap (G2): $40,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held in July at Ruidoso Downs
• Namehimastreaker New Mexico Classic Championship (RG1): $125,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Zia Park
• New Mexico Breeders’ Futurity (RG3): $120,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held at SunRay Park
• New Mexico Breeders’ Stakes (RG3): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held at SunRay Park
• New Mexico Cup 870 Championship (RG3): $125,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Zia Park 
• New Mexico Classic Derby (RG2): $145,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held at Zia Park 
• New Mexico Classic Futurity (RG2): $145,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held at Zia Park 
• New Mexico Classic Quarter Horse Championship (RG1): $125,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Zia Park
• New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association Stakes (RG2): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held in March at Sunland Park
• New Mexican Spring Futurity (RG2): $250,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held in early April at Sunland Park
• New Mexico State Fair Breeders Futurity (RG2): $250,000-added purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held in September at Downs at Albuquerque
• New Mexico State Fair Breeders Derby (RG3): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held in September at Downs at Albuquerque
• New Mexico Fillies & Mares Championship (RG1): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held at Zia Park 
• Rainbow Derby (G1): $750,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held in July at Ruidoso Downs
• Rainbow Futurity (G1): $1,000,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held in July at Ruidoso Downs
• Rainbow Oaks (G1): $250,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held in July at Ruidoso Downs
• Red or Green Stakes (RG2): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held in January at Sunland Park
• Rio Grande Handicap (G3): $50,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Sunland Park
• Ruidoso Derby (G1): $850,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held in June at Ruidoso Downs
• Ruidoso Downs Distaff Challenge (G3): $30,000 purse, open to 3yo+ fillies and mares, held in August at Ruidoso Downs
• Ruidoso Futurity (G1): $1,000,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held in June at Ruidoso Downs
• Ruidoso Juvenile Stakes (G3): $100,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held in June at Ruidoso Downs
• Shue Fly Stakes (RG2): $200,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held in January at Sunland Park
• Southwest Juvenile Championship (G2): $100,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held at Zia Park 
• Sunburst Stakes (RG3): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo fillies, held at Sunland Park
• West Texas Derby (G3): $150,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held at Sunland Park
• West Texas Futurity (G2): $250,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held in early April at Sunland Park
• West Texas Maturity (G3): $65,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Sunland Park
• Zia Derby (RG1): $175,000 purse, open to 3yo quarter horses, held in August at Ruidoso Downs
• Zia Futurity (RG1): $375,000 purse, open to 2yo quarter horses, held in August at Ruidoso Downs
• Zia Park Championship (G1): $100,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held at Zia Park 
• Zia Stakes (RG2): $35,000 purse, open to 3yo+ quarter horses, held in August at Ruidoso Downs

New Mexico Horse Racing Betting FAQ