Pull tabs are legal in New Mexico as a form of charitable gaming. They are regulated by the New Mexico Gaming Control Board under the New Mexico Bingo and Raffle Act, which lets qualified nonprofit organizations raise money through bingo, raffles, and pull-tab games. Only traditional paper pull-tabs are allowed, because state rules ban electronic and video pull-tab machines. There is no minimum age fixed in the statute, so individual operators decide age limits through their own house rules.
Who can run pull-tab games
In New Mexico, pull-tab games can only be conducted by a licensed qualified organization, not by individuals or private businesses. State law, at Section 60-2F-4(Y) NMSA 1978, defines a qualified organization as a bona fide religious, charitable, environmental, fraternal, educational, or veterans group, or a chartered branch, lodge, or chapter of a national or state organization, that has existed and operated in New Mexico for at least two years.
These groups apply to the New Mexico Gaming Control Board for a license, which covers bingo, raffles, and pull-tab games. The rules are strict about keeping this charitable. An individual who is not representing a qualified organization and who runs a game of chance can be charged with a fourth-degree felony, and the money raised must go toward a lawful charitable purpose.
How pull tabs work and where you find them
A pull tab is a printed paper ticket with a tab or seal that the buyer opens to reveal whether a winning combination is printed inside. In New Mexico you will find them sold alongside bingo at licensed bingo facilities and at the premises of the qualified nonprofits that run them, rather than at ordinary retail counters or commercial casinos.
Because only qualified organizations may sell them, the venues tend to be community and membership halls. Common spots include veterans posts, fraternal lodges, and religious or charitable organization halls that hold a Gaming Control Board license.
Rules and restrictions to know
The biggest restriction is that electronic and video pull-tab machines are prohibited. The state administrative code, at 15.4.6.10 NMAC, states plainly that electronic and video pull-tab machines are not allowed, so everything must be traditional paper tickets. Pull-tab equipment rules also require that every ticket in a deal sell at the same price and that a deal not exceed 25,000 tickets.
New Mexico law does not set a statewide minimum age for playing bingo or pull-tabs, and the Gaming Control Board notes that operators set their own age limits and post them in their house rules. Because local district attorneys and law enforcement can view events differently, organizations are encouraged to confirm the current rules with the Gaming Control Board before running games.
Where can I play pull tabs in New Mexico?
You will typically find pull tabs at licensed bingo halls and the premises of qualified nonprofits, such as veterans posts like VFW and American Legion halls, fraternal lodges like the Elks, and religious or charitable organization halls.
Find a spot64 places to play pull tabs in New Mexico