Nevada Sports Betting
If there’s one state synonymous with gambling, it’s Nevada. Launching its regulated betting market back in 1949, the Silver State is the blueprint for sports betting in the US.Â
Nevada nearly had a monopoly on legal sports betting throughout the duration of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). NV is also the only state to ever pass the $1 billion mark in monthly betting revenue. Though its monopoly of US sports betting ended in 2018, the state’s gambling success has only continued to grow.Â
| Tax rate | Regulator | Launch date | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.38% | Nevada Gaming Control Board | 1949 | Online & In Person |
In 2021, the state approved Bill 165 to legalize eSports betting in Nevada. Other than this, not much legislation has been introduced in Nevada in recent years. While online poker is available in NV, online casino gambling is not yet legal, and there are no Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) sites or state lotteries in operation in the state. However, with sports betting, land-based casinos, online poker, and pari-mutuel horse wagering all live and legal for residents and visitors alike, there are plenty of options for gamblers to choose from.
Sports Betting Operators in Nevada
Nevada is unique because it offers a wide selection of independently operated sportsbooks on top of its collection of award-winning operators. These Nevada-exclusive operators provide an online platform to some of the biggest names in Vegas, including the Atlantis Casino and South Point Casino.
When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 was enacted, Nevada was the only state that could still offer legal online sports betting. As such, many of its famous casinos launched their own online sports betting platforms. STN Sports (previously named Sports Connection) was the first to launch online in 2010, and several more local operators - including Peppermill Reno and Treasure Island Casino - quickly followed suit.Â
The Supreme Court’s decision to overrule PASPA in May 2018 hasn’t really affected the presence of sportsbooks in Silver State, with big-name brands like Golden Nugget, WynnBET, and Caesars all launching online before 2018. Today, NV bettors can access almost all of the most popular sportsbooks in the US alongside a handful of platforms that are only available in Nevada.
| Name | Operator | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantis Sports | Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. | May 2015 |
| B-Connected Sports | Boyd Gaming | September 2020 |
| BetMGM | MGM Resorts | March 2020 |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Caesars Entertainment | September 2017 |
| Circa Sports | Golden Gate Casino | June 2019 |
| Golden Nugget Sportsbook | Golden Nugget | January 2017 |
| Peppermill Sportsbook | Peppermill Reno | September 2014 |
| Rampart | Hotspur Resorts Nevada, Inc. | September 2013 |
| South Point | South Point Hotel and Casino | September 2013 |
| STN Sports | Red Rock Resorts | July 1905 |
| TI Sports | Treasure Island Hotel and Casino | July 2015 |
| Westgate SuperBook | Westgate Resorts | January 2016 |
| William Hill | Caesars Entertainment | August 2012 |
| WynnBET | Wynn Resorts | February 2016 |
That said, a couple of notable operators are missing from this list. Both DraftKings and FanDuel did operate previously in the state. However, when the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) declared that daily fantasy sports contests would be classed and regulated as gambling, both DFS sites swiftly pulled out of Nevada. DFS is not illegal in the Silver State, but operators must apply for a gambling license. Neither DraftKings nor FanDuel has done so and are inactive in Nevada.
Best Sportsbook Apps and Bonuses in Nevada
A relative newcomer to the Nevada gambling scene, BetMGM went live in the Silver State on March 9, 2020. The MGM Resorts-owned betting app is partnered with some of the biggest casinos on the Vegas strip, including the Bellagio, the Mirage, and - of course - MGM Grand. Thanks to its impressive associations, BetMGM is one of the most convenient options for in-person registration.
Operated by Boyd Gaming, B-Connected Sports is the online betting portal for a range of NV casinos (including Sam’s Town and the Orleans.) Exclusive to the Silver State, B-Connected Sports is favored by experienced sports bettors for its wide range of exciting prop bets.
Caesars is a name synonymous with Vegas gambling, and its online sportsbook has been a mainstay of the sports betting scene since September 2017. In August 2022, Caesars Entertainment announced it would be overhauling its current NV betting app and replacing it with a new-and-improved version. The updated app offers a broader selection of betting options and speedier payouts.
The Golden Nugget is one of Vegas’ most iconic buildings, opening its doors to Nevada bettors in 1946. Now, the Golden Nugget NV Sportsbook app is one of the best in the state. Due to the owner’s personal involvement with the NBA team, the Houston Rockets, the Golden Nugget app offers inventive NBA futures bets that you won’t find elsewhere.
Nevada has the oldest sports betting market in the US, and STN Sports is the state’s oldest online sportsbook. It covers over a dozen retail sportsbooks, including Red Rock Resort, Green Valley Ranch, and Fiestas. Previously known as Sports Connection, STN Sports is one of the biggest operators in the Vegas online gambling scene.
Sports Betting in Nevada
Is online sports betting legal in Nevada?
Absolutely. Alongside being the first state to regulate retail sports betting, Nevada was the first to launch sports betting apps. STN Sports launched way back in 2010, and more sportsbooks have continued to launch online ever since. Most recently, Caesars Entertainment announced it would be releasing a new and improved Caesars Sportsbook app in Nevada.
What sports can you bet on in Nevada?
All types of sports bets are legal in Nevada. Both professional and college games (including in-state betting) are available to wager on. Pari-mutuel horse race wagering is permitted at the state’s racebooks and sportsbooks. The only type of betting not currently available in Nevada is daily fantasy sports contests.
Who can bet on sports in NV?
You must be 21 or over to wager on sports in Nevada. Whether you’re an NV resident or visiting the state for a flying trip, anyone over 21 can legally wager on sports. Keep in mind that to bet online, you’ll first need to register in person at one of the operator’s land-based partners.
Official League Data usage in Nevada
Most sportsbooks in the US partner with Genius Sports to get the latest official sports data. Genius Sports has agreements with many professional leagues in the US and is also partnered with Nevada sportsbooks, like DraftKings. Therefore, you’ll only have access to the most up-to-date information when you bet in-play.
Nevada Sports Betting Handle
Nevada is the only state that wasn’t subject to the rules of PASPA. In fact, the state has been accepting sports wagers since 1949. There wouldn’t be enough room on this page to record every monthly handle in Nevada, so we’ve started from the first full month after the overturning of PASPA.Â
| Month | Handle |
|---|---|
| June 2018 | $286,548,295 |
| July 2018 | $244,638,554 |
| August 2018 | $247,622,790 |
| September 2018 | $571,034,483 |
| October 2018 | $528,568,873 |
| November 2018 | $581,070,664 |
| December 2018 | $561,859,873 |
| January 2019 | $497,482,993 |
| February 2019 | $458,591,549 |
| March 2019 | $596,752,294 |
| April 2019 | $328,121,212 |
| May 2019 | $317,380,282 |
| June 2019 | $322,077,670 |
| July 2019 | $235,659,955 |
| August 2019 | $287,757,296 |
| September 2019 | $546,358,867 |
| October 2019 | $543,552,781 |
| November 2019 | $614,118,812 |
| December 2019 | $571,179,245 |
| January 2020 | $502,543,641 |
| February 2020 | $489,105,725 |
| March 2020 | $141,108,201 |
| April - May 2020 | $56,263,737 |
| June 2020 | $78,152,387 |
| July 2020 | $165,552,030 |
| August 2020 | $474,948,414 |
| September 2020 | $575,144,025 |
| October 2020 | $659,899,331 |
| November 2020 | $609,376,849 |
| December 2020 | $588,486,999 |
| January 2021 | $646,491,632 |
| February 2021 | $554,058,173 |
| March 2021 | $640,984,932 |
| April 2021 | $454,734,387 |
| May 2021 | $477,191,062 |
| June 2021 | $544,806,558 |
| July 2021 | $409,659,756 |
| August 2021 | $427,425,369 |
| September 2021 | $786,508,562 |
| October 2021 | $1,100,712,575 |
| November 2021 | $1,086,010,454 |
| December 2021 | $1,104,986,618 |
| January 2022 | $1,109,329,327 |
| February 2022 | $780,768,853 |
| March 2022 | $863,283,921 |
| April 2022 | $582,529,725 |
| May 2022 | $562,000,848 |
| June 2022 | $490,558,644 |
| July 2022 | $419,383,793 |
| August 2022 | $408,874,948 |
| September 2022 | $760,891,578 |
| October 2022 | $920,931,244 |
Nevada had a monopoly over US sports betting for just shy of seven decades. When the Supreme Court announced its historic ruling in May 2018, critics feared it would damage Nevada’s sports betting revenue. The launch of Arizona’s regulated betting market - which generated over $1 billion in its first three months - was a particular concern.
However, it seems to have had the opposite effect. Nevada’s monthly betting handle only continues to rise as more sports betting markets launch across the US. Despite sharing a border with one of the US’ most successful sports betting states, Nevada took over $1 billion in bets in October 2021 alone. This historic ten-figure handle came one month after the launch of Arizona’s highly anticipated sports betting market, and the streak continued for a further three months.
Nevada Sports Teams
Major league professional sports have taken some time to arrive in Nevada. The state finally got an NHL team in 2017, the first of the big four leagues to have a team in NV. Pro football followed three years later when the NFL’s Oakland Raiders relocated to the newly built Allegiant Stadium. Below is our overview of the most popular sports teams in NV.
Las Vegas Raiders were founded in Oakland, CA, in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and today are part of the AFC West Division of the NFL. The team struggled initially in its first two seasons but considerably improved under the direction of Head Coach Al Davis, who joined the team in 1963.
In 1967 the Raiders reached the postseason for the first time and won its first AFL championship in 1968, advancing to Super Bowl II, where Green Bay soundly defeated Oakland. In 1972, Davis became the team owner, and under his tutelage, the Raiders’ fortunes would change, going on to win the Super Bowl in 1976 under John Madden, and 1980 under Tom Flores.
In 1982, the team relocated from Oakland to Los Angeles, CA, to become Los Angeles Raiders. There the team would win its third Super Bowl in 1983. Eventually, in 1995, the team would move back to Oakland before relocating to Las Vegas in January 2020. The team now plays in Paradise at Allegiant Stadium.
In addition to its three Super Bowl victories, the Raiders have won four conference championships and fifteen divisional titles.
Founded in 2017 as Las Vegas’s first major league franchise, Vegas Golden Knights is a member of the Western Conference Pacific Division of the National Hockey League (NHL).
The team made history in its first year, reaching the Stanley Cup finals in 2018. The Golden Knights won 13 games en route to reaching the finals, the most for a team during its inaugural postseason run. Vegas has continued its success since then, reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs in its first four seasons.
The Golden Knights play home games at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise. In addition to its maiden conference championship in 2018, the team has won two divisional titles.
Nevada Land-Based Sportsbooks
Not only does Nevada hold the trophy for the longest-running sports betting market, but it also has the most brick-and-mortar sportsbooks of any US state. There are over 180 retail sportsbook locations in NV. Unsurprisingly, most are found in Las Vegas.
There are simply far too many retail sportsbooks to mention, but we’ve highlighted below some of the most popular sportsbook operators in the state. Outside of its own Caesars Entertainment casino venues, Caesars operates more than 70 land-based sportsbooks in the Silver State. Other popular sports betting operators with more than one land-based venue include BetMGM, Boyd Sports, and William Hill.
In addition to big-brand operators, dozens of Vegas casinos operate an independent retail sportsbook with a compatible mobile app. For example, Peppermill Sports and Race Book is the sports betting floor of the Peppermill Reno and Western Village Casino in Sparks.Â
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| BetMGM | Bellagio, MGM Grand, The Mirage (+7 more) |
| Boyd Sports | Aliante, The Orleans, Cannery Casino (+7 more) |
| Caesars | Bally’s, Caesars Palace, Harrah’s (+80 more) |
| Circa Sportsbook | Circa Resort & Casino, Golden Gate, Legends Bay (+3 more) |
| Peppermill Sports and Race Book | Peppermill Reno, Western Village Inn & Casino |
| South Point | South Point Hotel Casino & Spa |
| Westgate SuperBook | Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino |
| William Hill | Downtown Grand, The Venetian, Tropicana Casino (+70 more) |
Nevada Sports Events
Nevada has called a host of premier sporting events home for many years. The glitz and glamour of Las Vegas have attracted MMA events and a host of collegiate sporting events. Alongside this, one of the state’s hidden gems is an in-state rivalry between two of the state’s premier college football programs. Read more about Nevada’s sporting events below.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) holds many events regularly in Nevada, both in the state’s indoor venues and at its owned-and-operated UFC Apex.
There have been over 120 events in various venues around Las Vegas since 2001. The first was UFC 33 at Mandalay Bay Events Center. A crowd of 9,500 watched Light Heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz defeat Vladimir Matyushenko by a unanimous points decision.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena, T-Mobile Arena, Palms Casino Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, Cox Pavilion, the Bellagio, Park MGM, Red Rock Resort Spa and Casino, and the Thomas & Mack Center subsequently hosted Las Vegas UFC events.
Since its opening in June 2019, the UFC Apex has hosted several UFC events. Initially opened as a training center for fighters, it was utilized as a production studio and fight venue during the Covid-19 Pandemic, allowing UFC events to continue broadcasting behind closed doors.
The UFC Apex also hosted eight UFC-numbered events during the pandemic. Subsequently, it has hosted several UFC Fight Night events.
Pac-12 Football Championship Game
Since 2021, Allegiant Stadium in Paradise has hosted the Pacific-12 (Pac-12) Football Championship Game, the annual college football game to determine the Pac-12’s football champion. The winner of the game is awarded the Pac-12 automatic berth in the Rose Bowl game unless the team is selected to play in the College Football Playoff (CFP) or when the Rose Bowl hosts a CFP semifinal.
From its inception until 2021, the winners of the conference’s North and South Divisions played the game; since 2022, the two schools with the best regular season records have earned berths. Initially, on-campus stadiums hosted the game, but it moved to a neutral location in 2014 – originally San Francisco 49ers Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
Primarily scheduled to move to Las Vegas in 2020, the Pac-12 postponed the move until 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The first championship game at Allegiant Stadium was between the tenth-ranked University of Oregon Ducks and the fourteenth-ranked University of Utah Utes on December 3, 2021. A crowd of 56,511 watched as the Utes upset the Ducks to win its second championship game.
West Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament
Since 2009, the Orleans Arena in Paradise has hosted the West Coast Conference (WCC) Men’s Basketball Tournament. The tournament winner is guaranteed a berth in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament or March Madness.
The tournament began in 1987 and was initially held at different venues on a rotational basis among conference members’ campus sites. In 2009, the WCC made the decision to relocate the tournament to a neutral arena, subsequently selecting the Orleans Arena at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.
In the history of the tournament in Las Vegas, Gonzaga University Bulldogs have been the most successful school, winning eleven of the fourteen tournaments held in Nevada. Subsequently, the Bulldogs has been one of the more successful sides in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, finishing runners-up in 2017 and 2021 alongside reaching the Elite Eight in 2019.
Fremont Cannon
The college football programs of the Nevada Wolf Pack from the University of Nevada, Reno, and the UNLV Rebels from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, have a significant college football rivalry.Â
The Rebels and Wolf Pack first met in 1969 and have met annually since, and matchups between the two sides attract significant interest state-wide. Both schools are part of the Mountain West Conference in the West Division.Â
Fans dub the game the ‘Fremont Cannon,’ as the winning school receives a replica cannon. The trophy was built in 1970 and is a replica of the cannon used by explorer and politician John C. Fremont as he led an expedition across the West, abandoned in the Sierra Nevada in 1843. It is the most expensive and heaviest trophy in college football. Players from the winning team paint the cannon in their school colors after each game.
Nevada Wolfpack has been more successful in the series, leading in the overall series and holding the longest winning streak, with eight successive victories between 2005 and 2012. UNLV’s longest winning streak was five wins between 2000 and 2004.
Nevada Responsible Gambling
Being the biggest gambling state in the US means Nevada has a huge responsibility to protect gamblers from harmful gambling habits. Every online casino in the Silver State must offer a dedicated Responsible Gambling page with tools players can utilize to control their gambling.Â
These tools include account limits, session limits, reality checks, cooling-off periods, and voluntary self-exclusion. If you feel your gambling is becoming an issue and you want to exclude yourself from online betting sites, you can contact the customer support team of your chosen betting site.Â
In addition, many sites include links to both local and national addiction support services, such as Gamblers Anonymous and the National Council for Problem Gambling.
FAQs
Of course. Nevada has accepted sports bets since 1949 and was the only state licensed to accept sports wagers during PASPA (1992 - 2018.) Betting on college and professional sports is legal, and you can wager in person at one of the state’s 180+ retail sportsbooks or through one of the 10+ mobile betting apps.
Yes, betting on horse racing is legal in Nevada. Pari-mutuel wagering is available for both live and simulcast horse races. While the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) does not issue licenses to traditional racing apps like TVG or TwinSpires, bettors in Nevada can wager on horses through any of the state’s mobile sports betting apps or brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.
Almost anything goes in Nevada. Bettors can wager on a wide range of sports markets and live or simulcast horse races in a retail sportsbook or through a mobile betting app. Vegas is famous for casino gambling, and more than 300 brick-and-mortar casinos offer slots, table games, poker rooms, and more. However, online casinos are not legal in Nevada. There is also no state lottery in NV, and there are currently no legal DFS sites in operation.
Absolutely not! Las Vegas is a gambling haven for hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, so you don’t need to be a Nevada resident to wager on the Strip. Just be aware that you must register at a land-based casino in person if you want to wager online or through a mobile sports betting app.
You must be 21 or over to gamble in Nevada. While some states are more lenient and allow bettors to wager on horses from the age of 18, Nevada applies a one-size-fits-all policy to its legal gambling age. Therefore, you must be 21 or over to participate in sports betting, casino gambling, and pari-mutuel horse wagering.
Yes, BetMGM is available to bettors in Nevada. The iconic sportsbook made its Silver State debut in March 2020. Though it was a latecomer to the NV online gambling scene, it has remained one of the state’s most popular online sportsbooks ever since. To bet with BetMGM, you’ll need to register in person at one of BetMGM’s partner casinos (such as the Bellagio or MGM Grand.)
DraftKings is not yet legal in Nevada. Unlike other states, Nevada classifies daily fantasy sports contests as a form of gambling. Therefore, DFS operators like DraftKings will be taxed like a casino or sportsbook and must apply for a betting license from the Gaming Control Board. Since DraftKings has not yet applied for a permit, it cannot legally operate in Nevada.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) regulates all gaming in the state. If an online operator wants to launch in Nevada, it must apply for a license from the NGCB. The NGCB ensures every sportsbook meets high standards for safety and financial security.