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By Kevin Hendricks, Sandoval Signpost
Sandia Resort & Casino debuted its new sportsbook Nov. 12 with the help of some local athletes and leaders.
Pueblo of Sandia Gov. Felix Chaves, former University of New Mexico and Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher, along with Albuquerque native and PGA player and Golf Channel & NBC Analyst Notah Begay III, joined in the festivities at the grand opening of the sportsbook
“We took our time to make sure that this sportsbook is the best sportsbook in the state,” Chaves said.
Chaves placed the first bet — $20 on the Philadelphia Eagles moneyline Thursday against the Washington Commanders — at the new sportsbook, which will open its doors to the public Nov. 13.
The sportsbook encompasses the entire third floor of the casino and features a ticket writing counter with the highest wage limits in the state ($8,000 max bet), four betting kiosks, a gaming area, Sandia Sportsbook Bar & Grille and an outdoor patio with views of the Sandia Mountains. There are also eight additional betting kiosks throughout the casino on the first floor. The max bet at each kiosk is $500.
Urlacher joked that the new sports book is both a blessing and a curse.
“I guess I can tell my sports betting story, which is terrible. So I’m not very good. You would think I’d be better at betting sports with my background, especially the NFL, but I am not,” Urlacher said. “So this is another place for me to bet, which is not a good thing. But I’m excited. This is going to be a great place to place a bet and watch the games. This is exciting.”
Sports betting is not technically legal in New Mexico, but it is available in person at several tribal casinos in the state.
Santa Ana Star Casino was the first to offer sports betting in New Mexico in October of 2018. Buffalo Thunder and Isleta Resort & Casino soon followed, and the Inn of the Mountain Gods was the most recent to open a sportsbook in 2019.
Now, add Sandia to that list.