Is sports betting legal in Nevada?

Yes. Sports betting has been legal in Nevada since 1949. Nevada was the first state in the US to regulate wagering on sporting events and the pioneer in allowing sports betting apps.

Who regulates sports betting in Nevada?

The Nevada Gaming Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board jointly regulate sports betting. While the Control Board issues licensing recommendations and prosecutes licensee violations, the Commission makes final licensing decisions and adjudicates hearings. The relationship is likened to that of a judge (NGC) and a prosecutor (NGCB).

Does Nevada allow mobile sports betting?

Yes. Although in-person registration and certain financial transactions for sports betting apps are required, actual wagering is legal anywhere within Nevada state lines. There are no sportsbook websites in Nevada; all options necessitate a phone or tablet for access.

Can I bet on college sports and Nevada teams?

Yes, you can bet on college sports in Nevada. Betting on in-state college teams like UNLV is permitted, along with wagering on all college football and basketball events, regardless of location. Changes in the law have removed any past prohibitions.

What is the legal age to bet on sports in Nevada?

You must be 21 or older to bet on sports in Nevada. This age requirement also applies to betting and gambling at Nevada casinos.

Some sites say they don’t need in-person registration. What is the story on these?

These sites operate outside of Nevada and the United States, making them exempt from US law. Despite this, using these books is not recommended due to concerns about reliability in handling money and information, limited legal recourse, and increased risks of identity theft. In-person registration for Nevada sports betting apps, while frustrating, is a more secure option.

What is the minimum bet in Nevada?

The minimum bet is either $2 or $5, depending on the specific sportsbook.

What is the minimum deposit at Nevada sports betting sites?

New players typically need to deposit $100 at most sportsbooks to create an account. Existing accounts may have a $5 minimum deposit at William Hill and range from $50 to $100 at some other books.

Sports Betting in Nevada

Legalized for decades, sports betting in Nevada has a rich history. In 2010, Nevada pioneered online betting, becoming the first state to do so. It maintained its exclusive status as the sole state with legal sportsbooks until 2018. Despite the abundance of online sportsbooks and mobile apps in Nevada, individuals are mandated to physically register for an account at casinos.

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The legal framework for sports betting in Nevada holds the distinction of being the oldest in the United States, boasting over 70 years of continuous evolution. The current legislation reflects a composite of various policies spanning decades, with a notable focus on changes since the year 2000.

Presently, the Silver State’s betting landscape is extensive, with very few restrictions outlined by law — largely due to the presence of and global pull of Las Vegas. The only unequivocal limitation pertains to “any amateur non-collegiate sport or athletic event,” primarily targeting high school sports. However, a subsequent adjustment was necessitated to exempt certain Olympic sports from this prohibition.

College sports, a historical point of contention, underwent significant changes. Initially, all betting on college events was prohibited, but legislative modifications rendered universities outside of Nevada eligible for wagering. Subsequent adjustments removed the in-state prohibition, granting Nevadans the freedom to bet on local institutions such as UNLV, the University of Nevada, Reno, or any other school participating in sports within the state.

State	Nevada
Sports Betting Law Passed	Yes ✔️
Launch date	1949
Minimum Gambling Age	21
Online Sports Betting	Yes ✔️
Retail Sports Betting	Yes ✔️
Retail Casinos	Yes ✔️

While more unconventional events like esports competitions and virtual sports are permissible with individual regulatory approval, certain categories such as Oscars betting and other entertainment wagers remain off-limits.

Nevada Sports Betting – Recent Updates

February 14, 2024 — Nevada gaming officials declared that the state recorded $185.6 million in bets on the Super Bowl, reflecting a 21.1% increase in handle compared to the previous year in 2023.
January 5, 2023 — Circa Sports assumes operations at the Silverton Casino Lodge in Las Vegas.
December 21, 2023 —The Vegas Golden Knights unveil a multi-year partnership with The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, designating The Venetian as the sponsor of “VIP Dream Seats” at T-Mobile Arena.
November 27, 2023 — The proposed All Net Resort & Arena project, which initiated groundbreaking in 2014 in Las Vegas, is officially terminated following the Clark County Commission’s vote to deny an extension of the project’s land use permit.
November 17, 2023 — The Oakland A’s secure unanimous approval from MLB to relocate to Las Vegas. Construction of a new stadium is scheduled to commence in 2025, with the team anticipated to commence playing in Vegas in 2028.

Nevada Sports Betting Timeline

2023

Nevada’s Sports Betting Revenue Dips to $40.99 Million in November 2023, Marking a Decline from the Previous Month’s $68.11 Million

In November 2023, Nevada saw a decrease in sports betting revenue, with the total amounting to $40.99 million, down from $68.11 million in the prior month. Land-based sports betting has been legally permitted in the state since 1949.

2022

Growing Approval: Two-Thirds of Americans Favor Legal Sports Gambling, Poll Reveals

According to a poll conducted by The Washington Post and the University of Maryland, 66% of Americans now support the legalization of sports gambling. This marks an increase from 55% in 2017 and a significant rise from 41% in 1993.

2021

NFL Forges First-Ever Deals with Sports-Gambling Providers Amid Soaring Industry Growth

Breaking from tradition, the NFL announces historic marketing agreements with three sports-gambling providers, projecting a substantial $270 million revenue in the first year. This strategic move mirrors the broader trend in the industry, which saw a remarkable 179.7 percent increase, reaching $4.33 billion in operator revenue in 2021. The NFL’s decision follows similar deals made by the other major U.S. sports leagues.

Horse Racing in Nevada

No. Despite live horse racing being legal under Nevada law, there are currently no active live racing venues in the state. Sporadic harness races and events occur at county fairs and similar locations, but professional or regular racing is not available in the Silver State. However, horse betting itself is legal in Nevada.

But Nevada’s simulcast handle is not terribly high. Although the state’s racebooks have formed the Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association to negotiate rates with racetracks, the limited amount of wagering in the state has not made racetrack authorities generous or flexible in their dealings with the NPMA. Racebooks in Nevada face restrictions on the tracks they can offer for wagering, leading even top tracks to reach impasses with the racebooks in recent times.

Nevada Daily Fantasy Sports Law

Daily fantasy sports contests are not available in Nevada at this time. Neither DraftKings nor FanDuel, the market leaders, operate their DFS services in the state, and there is no projected timeframe for the DFS situation to change.

Technically, DFS is legal in the state, as per a 2015 memo from the state attorney general categorizing the contests as sports pools, gambling games, or lotteries. Nevada mandated that all DFS providers obtain a gambling license in the state, or else face a cease-and-desist order.

At the time, both FanDuel and DraftKings halted their operations in Nevada and have not returned. The possibility of their return as sports betting operators might see the resurgence of DFS, but there’s no guarantee. USBookmaking attempted to offer DFS post-licensure but ceased operations shortly after its debut due to lack of demand.

The bottom line is that DFS is currently not part of the Nevada experience, and the timeline for a change in this situation remains unclear.

Responsible Gaming in Nevada

Nevada, with its rich gambling history, offers a wide range of resources to support individuals dealing with problem gambling.

Nevada Council on Problem Gambling: Provides educational initiatives, such as the ‘Given the Chance’ awareness presentation, and a variety of tools to promote responsible gaming practices.

Nevada players are encouraged to implement preventative measures, such as setting strict gaming budgets, deposit limits, and loss limits, to maintain control and minimize the risks associated with gambling. These resources ensure that support is readily available for anyone in need.