Gaming law is generally the law that applies to the gaming or gambling industry, including casinos, lotteries, horse racing, dog racing, sports betting, card games, table games, social gambling, bingo, raffles, slot machines, scratch tickets, etc. Gaming law includes state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations—and legal principles from traditional areas of law, such as contract law, administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law, and regulatory law. For example, the federal statute prohibiting illegal gambling businesses is located at 18 U.S.C. §1955.

In New Mexico (NM), gaming law is governed by a combination of state statutes and federal law. The state permits various forms of gambling, including tribal casinos, horse racing, and a state lottery. Tribal gaming is regulated under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and state compacts with individual tribes. The New Mexico Gaming Control Board oversees non-tribal gambling activities, such as horse racing tracks and nonprofit gaming. The state lottery is authorized by the New Mexico Lottery Act. Sports betting is not currently legal in New Mexico, but some tribal casinos offer it under the claim that it's covered under their compact with the state. Social gambling is allowed within strict limitations, and charitable organizations can conduct bingo, raffles, and pull-tab games under regulated conditions. The federal statute 18 U.S.C. §1955, which prohibits illegal gambling businesses, applies in NM as it does nationwide, and it works in conjunction with state laws to govern the legality and operation of gambling enterprises.