Is Sports Betting Legal in Nevada? Everything You Need to Know

Date: 12.07.2025

Legal Sports Betting Guide

Nevada reigns as the undisputed capital of sports betting in the United States, a status cemented by nearly a century of legal gambling. So it’s no surprise that sports betting thrives in the Silver State, offering a mix of over 200 retail sportsbooks and 13 mobile betting apps, including industry giants like BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, and Circa Sports.

How Nevada Pioneered Legal Sports Betting?

Nevada’s journey to becoming a sports betting powerhouse began with the 1931 Wide Open Gambling Act, signed by Governor Fred Balzar to combat the Great Depression’s economic fallout.

This legislation legalized casino gaming, laying the foundation for the state’s gambling industry. Sports betting was formally legalized in 1949, making Nevada the first U.S. state to regulate it, with the Sierra Turf Club in Reno opening in 1952.

A 1951 federal 10% tax on sportsbooks initially hindered growth, but reductions to 2% in 1974 and 0.25% in 1983 spurred expansion. The 1975 Nevada Legislature authorized race and sports wagering in casinos, with the Union Plaza Casino launching the first casino sportsbook.

The 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) granted Nevada a monopoly on single-game betting, as it prohibited other states from legalizing sports betting.

This monopoly solidified Las Vegas’s status as the nation’s betting hub until the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA struck down PASPA, allowing states and Washington, D.C., to legalize sports betting.

Nevada adapted by launching mobile betting in 2010 with STN Sports, the first U.S. mobile sportsbook app. Recent legislative updates, such as the 2024 approval of esports betting regulations and the 2025 Senate Bill 256 increasing penalties for illegal operators, reflect ongoing innovation.

Nevada Sports Betting Regulations

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) oversee sports betting with a rigorous framework ensuring integrity and consumer protection.

The NGCB, a three-member executive agency, conducts investigations, licenses operators, and enforces compliance, while the NGC, a five-member part-time body, approves licenses and imposes penalties.

Bettors must be 21 or older and physically located in Nevada, verified by geolocation technology for mobile apps and ID checks at retail sportsbooks. Violating location rules, such as using VPNs, risks fines up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail.

Nevada imposes a 6.75% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR), one of the lowest in the U.S., generating $39.6 million from $587 million in GGR in 2024. Winnings over $600 face a 24% federal tax, with no state income tax.

Betting is permitted on professional and college sports, including local teams like UNLV, but prohibited on high school sports, politics, entertainment awards (e.g., Oscars), and college player prop bets to protect amateur athletes.

Federal laws like the 1961 Wire Act and 2006 UIGEA target illegal operators, with state penalties including up to 7 years in prison and $10,000 fines for unlicensed gambling.

Security measures, including audited odds, SSL/TLS encryption, and anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, ensure a safe betting environment.

Recent Developments in Nevada Sports Betting

[July 11, 2025]: Caesars Sportsbook Launches Universal Digital Wallet in Nevada

[June 26, 2025]: Joe Asher Launches Boomer’s Sportsbook in Nevada

[June 6, 2025]: Crypto.com Sues Nevada Gaming Board

Where to Place Bets in Nevada: Top Sportsbooks

Nevada’s sports betting landscape offers diverse venues for wagering:

Retail Sportsbooks: Over 200 sportsbooks operate statewide, primarily in Las Vegas. Iconic venues include Caesars Palace (Caesars Sportsbook), Westgate Las Vegas (SuperBook, a global leader), and Circa Resort (Circa Sports, with the world’s largest sportsbook screen). Other notable locations include MGM Grand, Bellagio, South Point, Golden Nugget, and Wynn Las Vegas, offering luxurious lounges, LED screens, kiosks, and dining.
Mobile Betting Apps: Thirteen apps, including BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Circa Sports, STN Sports, and Wynn Sports, provide mobile wagering. Bettors must register in person at affiliated casinos (e.g., MGM properties for BetMGM, Station Casinos for STN Sports). Apps offer live betting, parlays, and odds boosts.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS): DFS platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel are unavailable in Nevada, as they require a costly gaming license, classifying DFS as gambling.

The in-person registration rule limits mobile accessibility, but retail sportsbooks create immersive social experiences, especially during events like the Las Vegas Grand Prix or Super Bowl LVIII.

Betting Options in Nevada

Nevada’s sports betting market offers a wide array of wagering options:

Bet Types:

Moneyline: Bet on the outright winner.
Point Spreads: Wager on the margin of victory.
Totals (Over/Under): Bet on combined scores.
Parlays: Combine multiple bets for higher payouts.
Teasers/Pleasers: Adjust spreads for better odds.
Futures: Bet on long-term outcomes (e.g., Super Bowl winner).
Prop Bets: Wager on specific events (e.g., first goal scorer).
Live Betting: Real-time bets with dynamic odds.
Cash-Out: Settle bets early to secure winnings or minimize losses.

Professional Sports: Popular markets include the NFL (Las Vegas Raiders), NHL (Vegas Golden Knights), WNBA (Las Vegas Aces), NBA, MLB, UFC, boxing, and Formula 1 (Las Vegas Grand Prix). Las Vegas is a combat sports hub.

College Sports: Betting on teams like UNLV Runnin’ Rebels and Nevada Wolf Pack is permitted, with no in-state restrictions, but college player prop bets are banned.

Restricted Markets: High school sports, politics, entertainment awards, and most judged sports (except surfing) are prohibited. Esports and drafts (e.g., NFL Draft) are allowed with regulatory approval.

Cultural Influence: Nevada’s professional teams and events like March Madness drive betting, with contests like Circa’s $15 million Survivor Pro Football Contest enhancing engagement.

Mobile apps expand betting options, particularly for live betting, while retail sportsbooks offer social experiences.

Economic Impact of Sports Betting in Nevada

Sports betting is a cornerstone of Nevada’s economy. In 2024, the state’s sports betting handle reached $8.7 billion, producing $587 million in GGR and $39.6 million in taxes at a 6.75% rate, supporting public services like education and infrastructure. The industry sustains over 20,000 direct jobs in gaming, hospitality, and technology, with indirect roles in marketing and compliance. Over 330,000 total jobs are supported by Nevada’s gaming sector, contributing $8 billion in tax revenue.

Compared to New York ($25.1 billion handle) and New Jersey ($12.8 billion), Nevada’s market remains robust, though its in-person registration rule may limit growth. Las Vegas’s sportsbooks, like Circa and Westgate, attract millions of tourists, boosting spending on hotels, dining, and entertainment. Events like the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix and 2024 Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium underscore Nevada’s role as a global betting hub, driving economic spillover.

Year	Handle ($)	Gross Gaming Revenue ($)	Tax Revenue ($)
2022	8.7 billion	481.3 million	32.5 million
2023	8.7 billion	481.3 million	32.5 million
2024	8.7 billion	587 million	39.6 million

Risks of Offshore Betting: Why Choose Legal Platforms?

Some Nevada bettors use offshore sites like Bovada for broader markets (e.g., politics, entertainment awards, college prop bets) and to avoid in-person registration. These platforms are illegal under Nevada Revised Statutes § 465.091-094, risking fines up to $1,000 or 90 days in jail.

Federal laws like the Wire Act and UIGEA may lead to account seizures. Offshore sites pose financial risks, including delayed or withheld payouts, account closures, or site disappearances, and lack U.S. data protections, increasing risks of fraud and identity theft, especially with cryptocurrency payments.

Legal sportsbooks, regulated by the NGCB, offer:

Audited odds for fairness.
SSL/TLS encryption for data security.
KYC and AML compliance to prevent fraud.
Responsible gambling tools, like self-exclusion and deposit limits, absent in offshore platforms.

Choosing legal platforms ensures safety, transparency, and consumer protections.

Responsible Gambling: Staying Safe in Nevada’s Betting Scene

Nevada prioritizes responsible gambling to keep betting enjoyable. Legal sportsbooks offer:

Self-Exclusion: Bans from 1 year to lifetime.
Deposit/Spending Limits: Daily, weekly, or monthly caps.
Time Limits: Restrict session durations.
GameSense Advisors: Trained staff at BetMGM sportsbooks assist with responsible gambling.
Training: NGCB mandates staff training to identify problem gambling.

Resources include:

National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER): 24/7 support.
Nevada Council on Problem Gambling: Offers treatment resources and the “When the Fun Stops” program.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA): Support groups in Las Vegas (702-655-8184).
Gam-Anon: Support for families.

Nevada has high problem gambling rates, with 6% of Clark County’s homeless citing gambling issues in 2007. The state allocates gaming revenue to treatment programs, with a $3.4 million budget for 2007-2009. Practical tips include:

Budget 1-5% of disposable income.
Take 30-60-minute breaks.
Avoid chasing losses.
Balance betting with activities like hiking Red Rock Canyon or attending Raiders games.

Future Outlook for Nevada Sports Betting

Nevada’s sports betting market remains robust but faces challenges. The in-person registration requirement, unchanged as of July 2025, may limit growth, with discussions ongoing to relax it. A 2025 lawsuit by Kalshi against the NGCB over sports-related contracts highlights regulatory tensions.

The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix and planned Oakland Athletics relocation by 2028 will boost tourism.

Restrictions on college player props and high school sports will likely persist. With a $8.7 billion handle in 2024, Nevada’s market is poised for growth, driven by tourism and innovation.