Nevada Sports Betting

Nevada Legal Sports Betting Overview

Nevada Sports Betting Summary

Nevada, and particularly its largest city Las Vegas, are synonymous with gambling. The state introduced legal sports betting for the first time in 1949 when Governor Vail Pittman signed off on SB 146. There are now 187 retail sportsbooks in Nevada, each partnered with a land-based casino. Online sports betting first went live in 2010 as STN Sports launched its online sportsbook. If you want to bet with an online Nevada sportsbook, you can only use a mobile app, and you need to register at a partnered retail sportsbook first.

Nevada was the only state where sports betting was fully legal for many years, thanks to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). This law prevented states from legalizing sports betting but excluded states that already had wagering legislation – thereby also allowing parlay betting run by lotteries in Oregon, Delaware and Montana. While Nevada may no longer be the only sports betting state, it is still one of the largest. Check out our complete guide to the latest Nevada gambling legislation and find out how to bet legally in the Silver State.

Nevada Online Sportsbooks Compared

The online sports betting options in Nevada can leave you spoiled for choice. There are 15 sportsbook apps available, each with its own benefits. Personal preference is important when choosing a Nevada sportsbook app, but we’ve listed some of the best apps in essential areas to help you decide:

• Best Mobile App – BetMGM

Having a good mobile app is more important in Nevada than in other states, as you must use one to wager online. BetMGM is top of the pile in the Silver State with its mobile app available on Apple and Android. The app's simple display and easy navigation creates a great betting experience. You can redeem BetMGM promotions, including its odds boosts, and use its mobile notifications to get the latest bonuses faster.

• Best Welcome Bonus – BetMGM

With so much choice available for online sports betting in Nevada, sportsbooks have to do something special to stand out from the crowd. BetMGM does this by offering two different welcome bonuses to suit every type of bettor. At one end of the scale, BetMGM provides a $10 no deposit bet offer. If you place this bet and win, you get to keep the profits. However, the value of the bet is not added to your bankroll.

The sportsbook also offers a bet of up to $1,000 – if you place a single bet and your selection loses, the sportsbook will credit you with a bet for the same amount. These bets work the same as with the no deposit bonus. If you place these bets and win, you keep the profit but not the value of the stake.

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• Best for Competitive Odds – WynnBET

Most sportsbooks in Nevada line up with the industry standard for betting odds, but WynnBET has made a reputation for itself with its moneyline odds. WynnBET is the official betting partner of the New York Jets, and the sportsbook offers generous betting lines on NFL games featuring this franchise. You can also use the WynnBET Playbook, a free service with the latest tips and odds to use those competitive prices to your advantage.

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• Best for Market Coverage – Golden Nugget

Golden Nugget Sportsbook covers 25 sports, including major leagues like the NFL, MLB, and NBA. Covering so many sports don't just make Golden Nugget’s markets some of the widest in Nevada, but also the US. There are loads of less high-profile sports such as UFC while if you’re looking for even more niche sports, you can also wager on handball, cricket, and Aussie Rules.

Claim your Golden Nugget Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024

• Best for Beginner Bettors – STN Sports

STN Sports was the first online sportsbook to launch in NV, and it remains one of the best for new players. The app keeps things very simple and provides easy-to-understand navigation to make betting straightforward. The sportsbook also breaks the bet slip down into how much you stake and your potential profits. This is very helpful for players who don’t fully understand American odds.

• Best for Payout Speed – Caesars

To get your money quickly, you should use Caesars Sportsbook. With payment methods like PayPal and Play+, the withdrawal process usually takes a day. It will also process online banking and eChecks within 24 hours, but your bank may require more days to complete the transaction. The fastest way to withdraw is to visit a retail sportsbook, and Caesars has more sportsbooks in Nevada than any other operator. You can go to your local Caesars and have your withdrawal processed within hours.

Get your Caesars Sportsbook promo code for Sep 2024.

How to Place a Bet in Nevada

There are 15 online sportsbooks in Nevada, but Silver State law requires you to register in person, unlike most others. Follow our step-by-step guide to ensure you register quickly and legally:

1. Choose one of the 15 Nevada online sportsbooks, using our guide above to help you make a decision.

2. You can only use a mobile app to bet online in the Silver State, so download your chosen sportsbook’s app. You must enable your geolocation services so the app can prove you are in Nevada’s borders.

3. Visit one of your sportsbook’s partner retail sportsbooks. Fill out an application form and provide information such as your name, address, and telephone number. You also need to provide a W-9 form with your Social Security number.

4. Once you are registered, you can make deposits with your sportsbook app. Visit the cashier section and choose a payment method. You can select how much money to add, but ensure you meet the minimum deposit requirements for any welcome bonus you are claiming.

5. Browse the sports available on the app and choose a betting line. Add it to your bet slip, decide how much of your welcome bonus to use, and place the bet.

6. If your bet is successful, return to the cashier section and follow the instructions to withdraw.

Who is Eligible to Bet in NV?

If you are 21 or older, you are eligible to place a sports bet in Nevada. You do not have to be a Nevada resident, but you must be physically located in the Silver State. You are prohibited from placing sports bets if anything listed below applies to you:

• Players, coaches, employees, or members of any professional sports team.

• Officials, referees, or umpires of professional and/or college sports leagues.

• Any individual who has professional or regulatory authority to influence players.

• Any individual who is employed by a sports league who has the ability to create or influence rules for that sport (e.g., NFL, NCAA).

• Any individual employed by an organization that has licensing from the Nevada Gaming Control Board or the Nevada Gaming Commission.

• Any individual who has an ownership stake in a sports team.

• Any individual who has access to non-public information about a sports team (e.g., player medical records).

• Any individual who is prohibited from betting at a state or federal level (e.g., due to criminal history).

Latest Nevada Sports Betting Updates

Timeline for Sports Betting in Nevada

• June 9, 2021: Gov. Steve Sisolak signs SB 165 into law and creates the Esports Technical Advisory Committee. This legalizes eSports betting in Nevada.

• May 14, 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). This ends Nevada’s effective monopoly on sports betting and allows other states to legalize wagering.

• September, 2010: STN Sports launches its online sportsbook, making it the first legal sports betting site in the US.

• 1992: PASPA passes and prohibits more states from legalizing sports betting. Nevada – along with Delaware, Montana and Oregon – is excluded from these regulations as it has already legalized sports betting.

• 1959: The Gaming Control Act passes and creates the Nevada Gaming Commission. The Commission becomes the final authority above the Nevada Gaming Control Board but acts on the Board’s recommendations.

• 1955: The Nevada Legislature creates the Nevada Gaming Control Board to regulate sports betting rules across the Silver State.

• March 19, 1949: Gov. Pittman approves SB 146 and legalizes sports betting and pari-mutuel horse racing betting.

Nevada Sports Betting Background

Nevada has a long history with wagering, starting in 1949 when the state legalized sports betting. By 1955, the state launched the Nevada Gaming Control Board to organize and regulate the sports betting industry.

While regulations didn’t change much for the Silver State from 1949, PASPA was passed in 1992. This made it illegal for any state in the US to legalize sports betting but did not include any regulations against states that had already legalized the practice. Nevada was excluded from this law and became one of just four states in the US with legal sports betting.

Nevada essentially held a monopoly on the industry for decades and became the first state to introduce online sportsbooks in 2010 when STN Sports launched. This domination of the market ended in 2018 when the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA, but the state still has one of the largest sports betting industries in the US.

Future of Nevada Sports Betting

The most significant change that could come to Nevada sports betting regulations is the removal of the need for in-person registration. While there has been no direct legislative push for a shift in sports betting legislation, the Nevada Gaming Control Board held a public workshop about remote registration for online gambling sites in November 2021. It legalized remote registration for online casinos in January 2022.

In addition, major US sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel have not launched in NV due to the in-person registration requirements. DraftKings CEO Jason Robins said the company would be “very interested” in launching in the Silver State if remote registration is introduced.

Considering the success of states like Iowa and Illinois in removing in-person registration requirements, we could see this issue addressed in Nevada soon.

Nevada Sports Betting Locations

There are 334 casinos and 187 retail sportsbook locations in Nevada. There are a lot of options, so we’ve highlighted some of the best retail sportsbooks in the state:

Westgate Resort & Casino

• Address: 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109

• Website: https://www.westgateresorts.com/las-vegas/

• Phone Number: (702) 732-5111

• Operator: SuperBook Sportsbook

Westgate Resort & Casino is located next to the huge Las Vegas convention center and one block off the Strip, so the Westgate SuperBook Sportsbook sees plenty of traffic. Housing over 400 seats, each with its own TV, the 30,000-square-foot hall has a huge bar and its own food court. The famous 220-foot by 18-foot video wall ensures you can always see the latest sports while betting. There is free Wi-Fi, charging stations for smartphones, and the chance to participate in the SuperContest Gold – a football prediction contest where the winner takes it all.

Circa Resort & Casino

• Address: 8 Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas, NV 89101

• Website: https://www.circalasvegas.com/

• Phone Number: (702) 247-2258

• Operator: Circa Sports

The Circa Casino and its accompanying sportsbook opened in Las Vegas on October 28, 2020. The sportsbook is the biggest in the world, with three stories and seating for over 1000 people. While placing your bets, you can watch sports on a wall of screens 40 feet high by 120 feet wide. You can also enjoy the Overhang Bar and play one of the 44 casino games available in the sportsbook. There are VIP booths and tables available for reservations. Outside the sportsbook is the Circa Stadium Swim, where you can watch the games from a swimming pool for a truly unique experience.

The Mirage

• Address: 3400 S. Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109

• Website: https://mirage.mgmresorts.com/

• Phone Number: (800) 374-9000

• Operator: BetMGM

The highlight of visiting the Mirage Casino Sportsbook is the 85’ HD projection which plays the most popular sporting event for you to watch while placing your bets. The HD projections are rendered in 4x the resolution of 1080p HD, so you can see every moment of the action crystal clear. There is also an OTB location built into the sportsbook, and six big screens are dedicated to horse racing. MGM Resorts operate the Mirage Casino, so any bets contribute towards the MGM Rewards program. You can earn points for wagering and use these to claim real-life prizes, including stays at MGM Resorts and flights.

Nevada Land-Based Casinos

Carson City

Churchill County

Clark County

Douglas County

Elko County

Humboldt County

Lyon County

Mineral County

Nye County

Pershing County

Washoe County

White Pine County

Nevada Lottery Locations

It's somewhat surprising for a state that's known for being gambling-friendly, but there's no lottery in Nevada. In fact, the only lotteries allowed by law in Nevada since 1864 have been charitable raffles. As there's no lottery in the Silver State, there are no lottery retailers to place sports bets at.

Off-Track and Stadium Betting Locations

Retail sportsbooks are only allowed to launch at licensed land-based casinos, so Nevada has no stadium betting options. However, there are 174 off-track betting (OTB) sites. The Nevada Gaming Commission also oversees pari-mutuel horse racing betting, and every OTB venue is licensed by this regulatory body to ensure it provides safe and legal horse racing betting. Many of these locations are situated at land-based casinos where you can also find retail sportsbooks.

Nevada Responsible Gambling Resources

• Nevada Council on Problem Gambling – Promotes awareness and education on problem gambling, and provides a 24/7 live chat. (800) 522-4700

• Gamblers Anonymous – Provides in-person and online meetings where you can talk through your issues with no judgment with other people struggling with problem gambling. Carson City: (775) 882-8222, Las Vegas: (855) 222-5542, Reno: (775) 356-8070

Currently, the self-exclusion program in Nevada is limited to online poker and online gambling players. These players can request to be denied access to their accounts for 30 days. While this means there is no state-wide self-exclusion program for sports bettors, many sportsbooks provide this option as a responsible gambling measure. In addition, betting sites offer betting limits, deposit limits, and other account tools to keep you safe

Teams to Bet on in Nevada

• Pro Sports

Las Vegas Raiders: The Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020 and now play games in the purpose-built Allegiant Stadium. The Las Vegas Raiders made its first NFL postseason appearance in 2021, while previous incarnations of the Raiders have won the Super Bowl three times.

Las Vegas Golden Knights: The Golden Knights joined the NHL in 2017 and have proved a great addition to the league. The team has competed in the postseason every year, reaching the Stanley Cup finals in 2017-18 and winning the Divisional Championship in 2019-20.

With just two professional franchises operating in Nevada, sports fans often lend their support to teams based in nearby states. Luckily, there are plenty of options available for those looking to off their allegiance:

• Minor League Sports

As there are just two major league franchises in the state, plenty of Nevada sports fans support local minor league teams. For example, some baseball fans back the MiLB’s Las Vegas Aviators. The team is a Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics and last won a Divisional Title in 2019.

For fans who can’t get enough of ice hockey, the Henderson Silver Knights are an affiliate of the Las Vegas Golden Knights playing in the AHL. The team only moved to Nevada in 2020 and was previously known as the San Antonio Rampage.

• College Sports

Nevada Wolf Pack: The University of Nevada in Reno has been around for over 100 years, and the Wolf Pack was ranked as high as a top-10 collegiate basketball team in the mid-2000s. The team most recently appeared in March Madness in 2019.

UNLV Rebels: The University of Nevada’s Runnin’ Rebels basketball team won the NCAA Championship in 1990, and its golf program won the NCAA Championship in 1998.

• Women’s Sports

Las Vegas Aces: Playing in the WNBA, the Las Vegas Aces are yet to win a Championship. The team won a conference title in 2020, which may be a sign of better things to come.

How Does Nevada Compare to Other States?

• Market Coverage

Regulations in Nevada allow sportsbooks to provide markets for a wide range of sports, including major leagues like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. However, there are also many niche sports available, such as MMA and cricket, while the Silver State also offers eSports betting. There are no restrictions on college sports betting in NV, unlike other states such as New York.

• Competitive Odds & Prices

Considering there are so many Nevada sportsbooks to choose from, it’s no surprise that each betting site and retail sportsbook offers competitive odds. While many sportsbooks are local, national options like BetMGM offer daily odds boosts and generous odds on major league sports. BetMGM, in particular, is partnered with NFL and provides great odds on NFL games.

• Gambling Revenue

Nevada taxes gaming operators at a rate of 6.75% of revenue. This is very generous compared to other big sports betting states like Pennsylvania (36%) and New York (51%). From January to July 2022, the state has taken $94,612,320 in taxes from a betting handle of $24,722,440,579. Sportsbooks in Nevada have taken $1,401,664,000 in revenue from that betting handle at a hold of 5.67%. That’s a low hold compared to states like New Jersey on 6.7% and Tennessee on 8.7%.

• Betting Taxes

Nevada has no individual income tax, so the only tax bettors need to worry about is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS taxes sports betting winnings above $600, and you must declare anything you win while gambling on your tax returns. Your sportsbook should give you a W-2G form to fill out. Sportsbooks can also hold up to 25% of your profits for tax purposes.

Alongside tax taken by the state, sportsbooks must pay an excise tax of 0.25% of the betting handle according to the Internal Revenue Code. Operators also need to pay $50 for every employee involved in taking wagers.

Who Oversees Sports Betting in Nevada?

Two regulatory bodies oversee sports betting in Nevada. The Nevada Gaming Commission was created in 1959 and is the highest regulatory body. It has the final say in all licensing matters. The Commission comprises five members chosen by the Governor and appointed to four-year terms. One of these Commission members is the chairman.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board was created in 1955 and ensures all sportsbooks stick to NV regulations. This includes running strict tests for player safety measures and financial security. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has an Enforcement Division that works as the law enforcement body for the Nevada Gaming Commission. The Board makes recommendations on licensing issues to the Gaming Commission following its investigations into every sports betting operator.