No state has offered legal sports betting for longer than Nevada. And despite an archaic in-person registration requirement for mobile-wagering accounts, it would be foolhardy to bet against Nevada continuing its reign as the nation's top destination for gambling of all types.
Disclaimer: For those outside of Nevada, you may face restrictions on the offers you see on this page.
About Sports Betting in Nevada
No state has offered legal sports betting – bet it of the retail or mobile variety – for longer than Nevada. In fact, for nearly 70 years, the Silver State had a domestic monopoly on that particular form of gaming.
Since sports betting began spreading to other states in 2018, Nevada has remained a national powerhouse, in large part because of its peerless array of brick-and-mortar sportsbooks and the tourists they attract for major events like the Super Bowl and March Madness. But while the state's sportsbooks handle a very respectable amount of online action, they are undoubtedly hampered by the state's archaic requirement that bettors sign up for mobile-wagering accounts in person.
Despite any shortcomings, it would be foolhardy to bet against Nevada continuing its reign as the nation's top destination for gambling of all types. The house always wins, after all, and no houses have stood intact for longer than Nevada's.
It's unlikely that people outside of Nevada will recognize most of the state's mobile betting apps. There are about a dozen of them, and most are local platforms like B-Connected Sports, STN Sports, and Wynn Sports. There are, however, two major national players – BetMGM and Caesars – that offer mobile wagering in a state where both bigwigs boast numerous retail sports betting counters.
The same goes for William Hill, which is fully owned by Caesars but functions as a standalone brand in Nevada. Among the best-known Vegas sportsbooks with betting apps are the Westgate SuperBook and Circa, the latter of which offers mobile wagering in Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, and Nevada.
Sports Betting Legalization in Nevada
Nevada Sports Betting Law Highlights
Bettors who wish to wager through a mobile sports betting account must register for it in person at a brick-and-mortar Nevada sportsbook.
STN Sports, the sportsbook app owned by Station Casinos, became the first mobile app in the U.S. to go live when it launched in 2010.
Sports betting revenue is taxed at various rates depending on the amount of monthly gross gaming revenue, with 3.5% the lowest rate and 6.75% the highest.
Most major operators, including DraftKings and FanDuel, do not yet offer mobile wagering in Nevada. BetMGM and Caesars do, however, and there are also several local mobile apps.
Nevada has had legal sports wagering since 1949 and faced no real domestic competition until PASPA was repealed in 2018.
21+ age requirement.
Legalization Timeline
Sports betting becomes legal in Nevada
January, 1949
Nevada becomes the first state to legalize sports wagering, which gets its start in turf clubs that are unaffiliated with casinos.
Nevada Gaming Commission is formed
January, 1959
The Nevada Gaming Commission is established with the passage of Nevada's Gaming Control Act.
Casinos authorized to offer sports betting
January, 1975
Nevada's legislature clears the way for casinos to offer wagering on horse racing and other sports, with race and sportsbooks soon becoming de rigueur in Las Vegas, Reno, and smaller gaming hotbeds around the state.
Online sports betting launches
January, 2010
Nevada gaming officials decide to allow online gambling, albeit with a requirement that anyone wishing to avail themselves of mobile wagering must register for an account with a brick-and-mortar sportsbook that has a mobile app. Later in the year, STN Sports, the online sportsbook of Station Casinos, becomes the first to offer mobile wagering.
Gaming commission rejects remote registration for sports wagering accounts
January 20, 2022
The Nevada Gaming Commission approves remote registration for online casino accounts but rejects it for sports wagering, meaning sports bettors who want to wager on their phones in Nevada will still have to register in person for an account at a physical sportsbok.
FAQs
Is sports betting legal in Nevada?
Sports betting has been legal in Nevada since 1949. It was not until 2018 that a key U.S. Supreme Court decision enabled this form of gambling to spread across the country.
Who can bet on sports in Nevada?
Anyone who's 21 years of age or older can wager on sports in Nevada at one of its brick-and-mortar sportsbooks or betting kiosks. In order to place mobile bets in Nevada, bettors must sign up for an account in person at a participating sportsbook.
Who regulates sports betting in Nevada?
Sports betting regulation – and the oversight of gaming at large – in Nevada is handled by the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The two entities are connected, with the NGCB issuing recommendations on licensing and the like to the NGC, which renders decisions on such matters.
What can I bet on in Nevada?
This is Nevada. Good luck finding a sport you can't bet on, and if you're uncertain whether you can make a type of exotic wager, odds are you can find a sympathetic sportsbook that will take your action.
What can't I bet on in Nevada?
Again, this is Nevada. Where there's a will, there's a wager, although it's probably unreasonable to expect to be able to legally bet on third-grade dodgeball games and stuff like that.
Is DFS legal in Nevada?
Daily fantasy sports contests are legal in Nevada, but since the state requires DFS operators to secure a gambling license, you will not find DraftKings, FanDuel, and most other leading providers in operation there.
Is it legal to bet on horse racing in Nevada?
It's legal to bet on horse racing in Nevada, where many local sportsbooks feature racebooks, both in person and via mobile app. But Nevada's racing regulations prohibit online account-wagering platforms like TVG and TwinSpires from operating within state boundaries, while live racing only occurs during weekend-long meets at places like White Pine and the Elko County Fairgrounds.
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