Nevada Online Gambling
When most Americans think of gambling, they think of Las Vegas. Nevada is the home of gambling in the United States, thanks to the Silver State’s early commitment to gambling and the presence of land-based casinos as early as 1931.
Despite this, several nuances exist around online gambling’s legality in NV. For example, online casinos and lottery games are currently unavailable in Nevada. However, land-based casino games, online and land-based poker, and retail and mobile sports betting are available to those within Nevada state lines.
A relatively unique provision of Nevada’s mobile sports betting industry is that bettors must register in person at a retail sportsbook to place bets on their mobile devices. While Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are legal, the Nevada Gaming Control Board requires operators to receive a license before accepting players. Therefore, this means that DFS is currently unavailable in NV, although legal.
These unique provisions are designed to protect the state’s land-based gambling industry and revenues from gambling, which brought in nearly $1.151 billion in tax revenues, according to the American Gaming Association in 2022.
In this guide, we’ll recommend some of the top Nevada gambling sites, delve into the status of legal gambling in NV, and answer some commonly asked questions about Nevada online gambling.
Best Nevada Gambling Sites
Our review team has examined every gambling site in Nevada on various factors, including its ease of use, mobile capabilities, payment methods, and promotions for new and existing players. That way, we can only recommend the best of the best. Check out our list of the best Nevada gambling sites, and click on any link on this page to sign up with our recommended operators.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Nevada?
The state of Nevada has a long and storied history when it comes to gambling. From a complete ban on all forms of gambling in 1910 to becoming the first state to legalize online sports betting and online poker, Nevada’s gambling laws have undergone many changes over the years. It has all led to NV becoming the most famous state in the US for gambling. Below, we’ve delved further into the legality of gambling in Nevada and highlighted the key moments in its gambling history.
Nevada Gambling History
Nevada’s gambling history is long and complex, stretching back to NV achieving statehood. The timeline below highlights some of the critical moments in Nevada’s gambling history, including the legalization of horse racing and sports betting in the late 1940s, the introduction of online sports betting and online poker in 2010 and 2013, respectively, and the recent legalization of eSports betting in June 2021.
- October 1864: Nevada achieves statehood and prohibits lottery games within state lines in its first constitution.
- October 1910: Having been regulated and available since Nevada’s ascension to statehood, gambling is abolished in the Silver State.
- March 1931: Governor Fred B. Balzar legalizes most forms of gambling by signing a liberal gambling law – all forms of casino gambling become available. However, lotteries remain illegal.
- 1945: The Nevada Tax Commission assumes control of gambling licensing and regulation.
- January 1949: Governor Vail Pittman approves SB 146, which legalizes pari-mutuel horse racing betting and sports betting.
- 1955: To better regulate gambling activities in the state, lawmakers established the Nevada Gaming Control Board as the investigative unit for the Nevada Tax Commission. The Control Board takes over as the state’s regulatory agency for gambling.
- 1990: Nevada agrees to a carve-out to the Nevada Constitution’s lottery clause for charitable purposes, legalizing charitable gaming.
- October 1992: US Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The legislation contains a grandfather clause, which allows the four states with existing sports betting products – Nevada, Delaware, Montana, and Oregon – to continue to offer sports betting.
- 2010: STN Sports launches an online sportsbook, becoming the US’s first legal online sports betting site.
- February 2013: The Nevada Legislature passes an online gaming bill, declaring it an emergency measure to get it to Governor Brian Sandoval for a signature. This legislation legalizes online poker in the State of Nevada.
- October 2015: The Nevada Gaming Control Board declares that DFS operators require a gambling license to operate in the Silver State. Subsequently, all operators withdraw from the market.
- May 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down PASPA, ending Nevada’s effective monopoly on sports betting.
- June 2021: Governor Steve Sisolak signs SB 165 into law, creating the Esports Technical Advisory Committee and legalizing esports betting in NV.
Legal Gambling Options in Nevada
Nevada is known worldwide as the gambling capital of the US. While many forms of gambling are legal, there are significant absences from the list of available Nevada gambling verticals, most notably online casino games. Below, we’ve provided a breakdown of the different types of Nevada land-based and online gambling that are legal within state lines.
| Type of Gambling | Legal? | When Legalized? |
| Online Casinos | No | N/A |
| Land-Based Casinos | Yes | 1931 |
| Online Poker | Yes | 2013 |
| Land-Based Poker | Yes | 1931 |
| Online Sports Betting | Yes | 2010 |
| Retail Sports Betting | Yes | 1949 |
| Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | 2015 |
| Horse Racing | Yes | 1949 |
| Lottery | No | N/A |
| Charitable Gambling | Yes | 1990 |
Sports Betting
Nevada’s biggest city, Las Vegas, is renowned worldwide for its sportsbooks, with 180+ retail facilities open and accepting bets across the strip. The world’s biggest sportsbook, Circa Sports, calls the city home and contains a 78 million-pixel television screen. Nevada sports betting is legal in-person and on your mobile in the Silver State. Nevada law states that bettors must also register in person at a sportsbook to place bets on mobile at any of the 14 Nevada sports betting apps available.
Online Casino
Online casino gaming is illegal in Nevada, partly due to lawmakers’ desire to protect the state’s significant land-based casino industry. Therefore, no Nevada online casino sites are available for players. However, if you want to spin the reels or play table games for real money, you must head to the strip to visit one of the city’s casinos.
Poker
As the home of some of the most prestigious poker tournaments in the world, including the World Series of Poker, it’s no surprise that land-based poker is available in Nevada. Online poker became available in 2013 with the launch of NV’s only available poker network, WSOP.com. Players throughout NV can enter cash games and tournaments in many different poker variations, like Texas Hold ‘em, Omaha, and Seven Card Stud.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests are legal in Nevada. However, they are subject to a licensing regime as the Nevada Gaming Control Board considers them a form of gambling, meaning major DFS operators have pulled out of the state. Previously, Nevada was a hub of DFS activity, responsible for 2% of all DFS entries in the US in 2015. So, while DFS is legal in the Silver State, no operator currently accepts players within state lines.
Lottery
Nevada does not currently have a state lottery, as Section 24 of the Constitution of Nevada states that no lottery may be authorized by the state, nor may lottery tickets be sold. The only exception is charitable gaming, which was legalized in 1990.
In 2023, however, Nevada lawmakers passed a constitutional amendment allowing a lottery. Still, significant hurdles lie ahead. For one, the amendment must pass again and be approved via referendum before it becomes part of the constitution. In short, it will be at least 2025 before a state lottery is legalized.
Responsible Gambling in Nevada
Responsible gambling is of primary importance for Nevada gambling operators. Problem gambling is a serious issue that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status. It can lead to financial problems, relationship breakdowns, and mental health issues. To combat this, Nevada has implemented a range of responsible gambling measures, including self-exclusion programs, gambling addiction hotlines, and educational resources.
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, several organizations in Nevada can provide help and support. These organizations offer free counseling, support groups, and educational resources to help individuals overcome their addictions and regain control of their lives. Some prominent third-party responsible gambling organizations are listed below.
FAQs
Is online gambling legal in Nevada?
Certain forms of online gambling are legal in Nevada. These include mobile and retail sports betting, online poker, land-based casinos, and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). However, the Silver State does not permit online casino gaming.
Can I bet on sports in Nevada?
Yes, you can bet on sports in Nevada. The Silver State held an essential monopoly on sports betting from 1992-2018 after the passage of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The state is home to over 180 retail sportsbooks and 14 mobile sports betting apps.
Does Nevada have any online casinos?
While Nevada permits mobile sports betting and online poker, online casino gaming has yet to be legalized in NV. This is likely due to protecting the land-based casino industry, which generates large amounts of tourism and revenue for the State of Nevada.
Is DFS legal in Nevada?
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests are legal in Nevada, but operators must pay a license fee to accept players within NV state lines. In 2015, the Nevada Gaming Control Board deemed DFS an alternative form of gambling, so it is subject to the same licensing requirements. Due to this interpretation, no operators are available in Nevada.
Are Nevada online gambling sites safe?
Any recommended operators on this page are legal, safe, and secure. We only recommend licensed and regulated online gambling sites, so as long as you use sites recommended on this page, you’ll be gambling safely.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Nevada?
Nevada has no individual income tax, so you don’t have to pay state taxes on gambling winnings. Despite this, you will need to declare all sports betting winnings over $600 to the IRS. If you win over $600, your sportsbook should issue you with a W-2G form. Sportsbooks may withhold 25% of your profits for tax purposes.
