History of Internet Gambling in Nevada

Support grew for Nevada online gambling in 2012. State politicians wanted to legalize internet gambling before New Jersey, which was also discussing the matter at the time.

Nevada accomplished this goal by passing AB 114 on Feb. 25, 2013. AB 114 legalizes online poker within the Silver State.

With the passage of AB 114, Nevada became the second state behind Delaware to legalize internet poker.

In April 2013, Ultimate Poker became the first poker site to go live in Nevada. WSOP.com (Sept. 2013) and South Point Poker (Feb. 2014) joined them soon after.

The Silver State has featured online/mobile sports betting since 2010. Most NV bookmakers now offer an app.

Nevada Online Poker

Ultimate Poker was the first site in the NV online poker market in April 2013. However, this early adopter failed to gain much traffic and closed in Nov. 2014.

WSOP.com launched several months after Ultimate Poker. Largely thanks to its association with the World Series of Poker, it’s the only NV poker site that’s enjoyed any success.

South Point Poker was the third entity in the online market after going live in Feb. 2014. It’s no longer active after drawing little-to-no traffic during its few years of existence.

Nevada Online Poker Sites

WSOP.com is the only game in town for Nevada internet poker fans. It draws a fair amount of low-stakes cash players and tournament grinders.

This poker site runs official WSOP online events during the summer. It also provides satellites where players can win seats to WSOP tourneys for a relatively small buy-in.

New signups can take advantage of a $10 no-deposit bonus when playing here. They can also qualify for a deposit bonus worth a 100% match up to $1,000.

Multi-state Compact

Nevada currently only supports one poker site due to its small stature. The Silver State may be America’s gambling capital, but it only houses 3.1 million residents.

Of course, the 40 million-plus annual visitors to Las Vegas boost liquidity. Then again, the average Vegas visitor doesn’t spend hours playing online poker in their hotel room.

Therefore, Nevada has formed interstate poker compacts with Delaware (2015 agreement) and New Jersey (2018). All three states share player pools through the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) to help boost liquidity.

Online WSOP Events in Nevada

WSOP.com has offered online WSOP gold-bracelet events since 2017. It has steadily increased the number of gold-bracelet tournaments it offers every year.

Thanks to the MSIGA, players from Delaware and New Jersey can also compete for gold bracelets online.

Nevada Online Sports Betting

Nevada is the only state that featured traditional sportsbooks before the fall of PASPA—a federal ban on sports gambling that lasted from 1992 to 2018.

With the Silver State already grandfathered into PASPA, it didn’t need federal approval to allow online betting before 2018. Station Casinos became the first NV gambling company to take advantage of this opportunity by launching an app in 2010.

Other bookmakers have since followed in Station Casinos’ footsteps by rolling out Android and iOS apps. Nevada’s mobile sportsbooks are:

  • Atlantis Reno
  • B-Connected Sports
  • Boyd Gaming
  • Caesars Sports
  • CG Technology
  • Golden Nugget
  • MGM Resorts
  • South Point
  • Station Casinos
  • Treasure Island
  • Westgate SuperBook
  • William Hill
  • Wynn Resorts

How to sign up for Nevada Betting Apps

Nevada features strange requirements for mobile betting registration compared to other states. These odd stipulations include:

  • Visiting a land-based sportsbook and registering in person.
  • Filling out a physical application.
  • A government-issued ID and either a tax ID number or Social Security number.
  • A $50 or $100 minimum deposit.
  • Withdrawing winnings in person in most cases.

Most states allow you to register for an account through your smartphone, tablet, or computer. They only require that you send copies of identification when making a withdrawal.

Furthermore, bookmakers in other markets don’t force you to cash out in person. Instead, they offer cash at the cage as an option rather than a requirement.

Nevada online sports betting feels restrictive in this regard.

Geolocation

Like other sports gambling markets, the Silver State requires you to be within its borders when using betting apps.

Nevada online sportsbooks use geolocation software to pinpoint your location. Geolocation can determine if you’re within state lines to a high degree of accuracy.

The Silver State doesn’t offer legal online casinos. State politicians avoided legalizing gaming sites at the same time as internet poker in 2013.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. owner Sheldon Adelson is a powerful opponent of an online gambling expansion in Nevada and beyond. His influence and political donations are big reasons why internet casinos haven’t received approval yet.

Of course, several other casino corporations hold reservations about legalizing internet gaming, too. They don’t want anything to take away from their land-based gambling profits.

How to Deposit at Nevada Online Gambling Sites

NV deposits methods vary based on whether you’re playing online poker or making mobile bets. The poker market is much more flexible in deposit and cashout options.

Online Poker Deposits & Withdrawals

WSOP.com is currently the only active poker site in Nevada. It boasts a large array of deposit methods, including:

  • ACH (e-check): Send an e-check from your bank account to WSOP.com.
  • Cash at the casino cage: Visit a Caesars Entertainment property and fund your account in person.
  • Credit card: WSOP.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
  • PayNearMe: You can purchase a deposit voucher at the nearest 7-Eleven.
  • PayPal: Use this popular e-wallet to fund your gambling account.
  • Play+: Caesars issues branded prepaid cards that you can use for deposits.

Betting Deposits & Withdrawals

Banking options differ greatly from one mobile bookmaker to the next. Most NV online sportsbooks require you to place deposits and cash out in person.

There are exceptions, though. William Hill NV, for example, lets you deposit with credit cards, PayNearMe, wire transfer, and kiosks at Nevada bars.

Online Gambling Bonuses in Nevada

WSOP.com is generous with bonuses and promotions. NV mobile sportsbooks, meanwhile, aren’t as charitable with bonuses.

Nevertheless, you can find various offers through both Nevada online poker and sports betting. The most common deals are:

  • No-deposit bonus: You receive a bonus just for completing registration.
  • Match deposit bonus: The poker site/bookmaker matches your deposit up to a specified amount.
  • Free bet: If you lose your first bet, you can win back the losses by satisfying terms and conditions.
  • Loyalty rewards: You receive VIP rewards based on your poker/betting volume.

WSOP.com features a detailed rewards program called the Action Club, which allows earning both online rewards and comps at Caesars-owned casinos.

Are Nevada Online Gambling Winnings Taxed?

Nevada doesn’t impose a state income tax. However, NV gambling sites may withhold federal taxes on your gambling winnings if:

  1. You book a win worth over $600.
  2. You win 300x your wager.

These stipulations mainly apply to wins earned through small bets. Here’s an example:

  • You wager $20 on the Denver Broncos winning the Super Bowl.
  • The Denver Broncos carry 400-to-1 winning odds.
  • Denver wins the Super Bowl.
  • You’re entitled to an $8,000 payout.
  • However, the mobile sportsbook withholds $1,920 (24%) of the winnings.
  • The IRS will give you credit for paying taxes on the $8k win.
  • You can also count losses (if documented) against the winnings.

FAQ about Nevada Online Gambling

How old must I be to gamble online in Nevada?

You must be 21 years of age or older to gamble online in the Silver State.

Is online sports betting legal in Nevada?

Yes. Most NV internet sportsbooks feature an app. Requirements for using these apps include:
Registering in person.
Bringing a government-issued ID along with any other relevant identification.
Depositing at least $50 or $100.
Being within state lines when placing mobile bets.

Is NV Online Gambling Safe?

The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) and Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB) oversee the state’s online gambling market. Both entities ensure that online poker and betting operators abide by the state’s gaming rules.

Why Aren’t Online Casinos Legal in Nevada?

There’s no official explanation for why internet casinos aren’t legal in Nevada. However, the state’s lucrative brick-and-mortar gambling industry is the likely reason for the lack of gaming sites.
Sheldon Adelson is especially against adding new forms of gambling that would disrupt the $12-billion-a-year casino industry.
Nevada may still regulate internet casinos in the future, but no timetable exists for when this might happen.

Can I play WSOP Events Outside of Nevada?

Yes. Nevada maintains a multi-state poker compact with Delaware and New Jersey. Therefore, you can play for WSOP bracelets from Delaware and New Jersey.