PointsBet Sportsbook in New Mexico

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Australian sportsbook PointsBet is proving to be a punchy contender in the USA. It’s not one of the market leaders in the country, at least not yet, but this outsider is certainly ruffling a few feathers as it moves into the American market.

PointsBet Sportsbook first went online here in 2019 and has steadily expanded into more and more states. We’re still waiting to welcome it to New Mexico, but we’re confident that when it gets here it will only add to the magic of the Land of Enchantment. Read on to find out more.

Is PointsBet sportsbook legal in New Mexico?

No, the PointsBet sportsbook is not currently legal in New Mexico. The state permits sports betting, but at present, this is only possible at tribal casinos. However, lawmakers are considering new rules that would allow online betting with gaming companies that are licensed and regulated by the state authorities. The absence of online sports betting in New Mexico feels like something of an anomaly in a state that was among the first to have legal retail sports betting. However, the explanation lies in the unusual way that NM’s first sportsbooks came into being. The Santa Ana Star was the first casino to offer sports wagering in New Mexico, opening its sportsbook on October 16, 2018. In other states, this kind of opening followed new legislation to explicitly permit sports betting.

New Mexico was different. The casinos argued that after the Supreme Court struck down PASPA and effectively removed any federal controls on sports betting, they had every right to open sportsbooks. There was no challenge from the NM government and sports betting arrived almost by default. Within months, the Pojoaque Pueblo tribe unveiled its own sports betting offer. Before long, there were several legal retail sportsbooks available in the state.

However, bettors who like to wager online are still limited. They can use offshore, unregulated sites, but this is not advised. Meanwhile, we are still waiting for the New Mexico government to approve and license online sports betting platforms across the state.

Signing up at PointsBet New Mexico

Creating your own account at PointsBet sportsbook in NM could not be easier. As soon as the company is able to open in New Mexico, the process will be something like this.

  1. Go to the PointsBet site or download the app. When PointsBet goes live in New Mexico, you’ll find it at nm.pointsbet.com. There are iOS and Android apps available in the appropriate store for your device.
  2. Click ‘Register’ and input your personal details. Start by clicking the red button in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Then fill in the application form with your name and contact details.
  3. Verify your identity. In many cases, a simple check against the last four digits of your SSN will be enough. Occasionally, though, new customers will be asked to submit photos of their ID and proof of address. This is part of the anti-fraud procedures that licensed gambling sites must follow.
  4. Make a deposit using your preferred payment method. You can read more about the available payment systems below. Choose the one that suits you and pay in some funds to play with.
  5. Start betting on your favorite sports. It’s easy to place a bet. Just click on the odds you like, then select your stake in the pop-up bet slip.

Top bonuses and promos on PointsBet NM

Gambling platforms use bonuses to attract new customers and reward loyal players. PointsBet is no exception, offering an assortment of sign-up offers and rewards to gamblers who use its sportsbook. Here’s a look at some of the types of promo you might see on the site.

  • Risk-free bets. A risk-free bet is a kind of ‘bet-and-get’ offer. Typically, bettors are invited to wager on a specified market, safe in the knowledge that if they lose the sportsbook will refund their stake in free bets. When a risk-free bet forms part of a sign-up bonus, it usually applies to the first bet a new customer places.
  • Deposit match bonuses. This is a popular welcome offer for new customers. As soon as the first deposit clears, the bookmaker adds the same sum, or even more, in free bets to boost your starting bankroll.
  • Free bets. You can use a free bet token just like a regular cash bet. The big difference is that you don’t risk any of your own money. However, you will not see your stake returned as cash after a winning bet and you cannot withdraw free bets as cash. Some bettors like to use free bets to ensure cash wagers, guaranteeing a profit. Others prefer to use freebies to back long odds multiples in search of big wins at zero risk.
  • Boosted odds. Many betting sites like to offer enhanced odds on selected markets. This means that winning bets bring bigger rewards.

What is Points Betting?

PointsBet boasts Points Betting, a real stand-out feature for this platform. In essence, it’s a form of spread betting, which can generate big wins but also risks substantial losses.

Spread betting models itself on financial trading. Customers buy or sell positions based on how they think a game will play out. Like financial trading, if you get on an outsider, you can generate huge profits. However, if your pick falls far short of expectations, your losses can be larger than your initial stake.

It works like this. If you think the Rams game this weekend will have more than 42 points, you can buy points. Let’s say a player stakes $10, and there are 57 points in the game, that player would win $150 (10×15 points over the spread). However, if defenses are on top and the teams only manage 30 points, the loss would be $100 (10×10 points below the spread).

New Mexico teams you can bet on using PointsBet

The state of New Mexico does not have any major league teams. However, there is plenty of love for the local minor-league outfits. Moreover, college sport is a big source of pride here. At PointsBet, you can back on games at all levels, including NCAA action.

  • New Mexico Ice Wolves. If the LA Kings can win the Stanley Cup, there’s no reason why New Mexico can’t have its own ice hockey team. The Ice Wolves, based in Albuquerque, started life in 2019. Since then, the pandemic has made life tough for them: the first season was canceled, and the second saw them forced to play home games in Texas. But there’s talent here. Year three brought a run to the semi-finals of the NAHL, suggesting that NM can be a hot spot for hockey.
  • New Mexico United. Everyone knows about the passion for soccer in this part of the world, and New Mexico United is hoping to turn that into love for a team in Albuquerque. United started playing in the second-tier USL in 2018 but there are hopes that it can attract the support needed to break into the MSL’s elite in the near future. With five-figure crowds at the city’s baseball arena and plans for a soccer-only facility in the pipeline, the future looks bright.
  • New Mexico Lobos. College sport is a big deal throughout the USA, especially in states not represented in the big four leagues. And the Lobos, from the University of New Mexico, is no exception. The basketball teams pack up to 15,000 fans into home games and regularly reach March Madness. The long-established football program is another big draw, twice winning the New Mexico Bowl in the 21st century.
  • New Mexico Highlands Cowboys. Another big noise on the NCAA circuit, the Highland Cowboys are big rivals for the Lobos. Although the only national championship came in baseball, football and basketball remain the big attractions. In 2009/10, the men’s basketball team broke the NCAA record for turnaround wins in all divisions, while the football program has produced a clutch of NFLers.

PointsBet NM banking options

Bettors like to know they can easily deposit and withdraw funds via a range of payment systems. PointsBet obliges with a good selection of banking options.

Deposit

  • MasterCard. For a time, PointsBet offered a bespoke card in partnership with MasterCard. That program ended in June 2022, but it is still possible to fund your PointsBet account using a MasterCard credit or debit card.
  • Prepaid card. At present, PointsBet does not support any prepaid cards, except for existing issues of its tie-in with MasterCard. The closest option is to purchase PayNearMe vouchers and use them to deposit funds.
  • Play+. Although Play+ is becoming the industry standard prepaid card for gaming sites, it is not currently available for PointsBet players. We’d love to see that change soon.
  • Visa. Just like MasterCard, Visa’s credit and debit cards are welcome when depositing funds at PointsBet.

Withdrawal

  • Venmo. The Venmo mobile payment system is not currently available at PointsBet. However, customers can use Venmo’s parent company, PayPal.
  • Online banking. This is probably the easiest way to draw funds from your PointsBet account. The platform can send payments directly to about 2,000 banks. However, it will take 2-5 days for payments to go through.
  • Skrill. The e-wallet is not supported by PointsBet at present. Instead, customers can use PayPal, a similar payment service for withdrawals if they have previously deposited money using this option.

PointsBet betting app in New Mexico

Today’s gambler wants to use the slickest, most reliable mobile apps for betting. Increasingly, it’s all about getting online to place your bets from anywhere. PointsBet provides a fully-fledged app, available for iOS and Android.

Better still, PointsBet’s mobile offer is one of the best on the market. Reviewers consistently rate it among the best in the US and it wins praise for its elegant design and intuitive interface. Most users agree that with this app, betting on the go is a pleasure rather than a chore.

How to download the PointsBet app on iOS

If you have an iOS device, follow these steps to get the PointsBet app.

  1. Access the App Store from the device where you want to use PointsBet.
  2. Search for ‘PointsBet sportsbook’ in the App Store.
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the app on your cellphone or tablet.
  4. Existing customers can log in with their usual details. New customers should create an account in much the same way as they would on the desktop version.

How to download the PointsBet app on Android

The PointsBet app is also available for Android. Here’s how to get it on your Android device.

  1. Take your chosen device and open Google Play.
  2. Find ‘PointsBet sportsbook’ in the App Store.
  3. You can download and install the app as usual by following the prompts onscreen.
  4. If you are new to PointsBet, create your account. Otherwise, use your existing login details to start playing.

PointsBet customer service in New Mexico

Like most good NM online gambling sites, PointsBet wants to make sure that customers enjoy their experience. To help with this, there is an extensive customer service section.

For many queries, bettors can refer to a large FAQ archive. This is a great repository of information and will answer a lot of questions after a quick search. However, some issues need a personal touch. That’s why PointsBet has a live chat service for all account holders. You’ll need to give your username and account number when you start, but response times are fast and the staff is helpful. Moreover, PointsBet also has a customer service email address at service@pointsbet.com.

Unusually, bettors can also appeal to the site if they lose a bet due to unforeseen circumstances. The Karma Kommittee pledges to overturn rough calls and might cancel your losses when force majeure wrecks your wager. Examples include a decision to refund all bets on Golden State Warriors futures markets after a season-ending injury to star player Klay Thompson in 2020/21.

FAQ

When will PointsBet Sportsbook launch in New Mexico?

PointsBet Sportsbook will not launch in New Mexico until the state approves a licensing system for online sports betting. This is currently under discussion among legislators, so watch this space!

Is PointsBet Sportsbook New Mexico a safe site for sports betting?

Yes, PointsBet is a safe sports betting site. In the USA, it only operates in states that have fully regulated and licensed online gambling outlets. That means it always complies with local legislation to ensure a fair, secure gaming experience for its customers.

How can I apply for the PointsBet MasterCard?

The PointsBet MasterCard program closed to new customers on June 30, 2022. At present, there is no news about any replacement payment method but you can use Mastercard.